Rosengartenschlucht

Useful Information

Location:	Rosengartlweg 5, 6460 Imst. (47.2430673, 10.7358782)
Open:	Mid-MAY to OCT daily. Weather dependent. [2025]
Fee:	free. [2025]
Classification:	Gorge Lead Mine Cave House
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	L=1,5 km, VR=250 m.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Rosengartenschlucht, Rosengartlweg 5, 6460 Imst. Imst Tourismus, Johannesplatz 4, 6460 Imst, Tel: +43-5412-6910-0. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The Rosengarten Gorge is a gorge that is practically within the town of Imst. It is crossed by the Schinderbach stream, which has its source just below the Alpjoch. It was named after the alpine roses, a type of rhododendron, which grow here in large numbers in early summer. To see them, you should visit the gorge in June or July. The closest car park is Johannesplatz in the town centre, from here you can reach the Rosengartlweg in 5 minutes, passing the Johanneskirche church. This ends at the entrance to the gorge. After about 1.5 km and 250 metres in altitude, you reach Hochimst, from where you can descend through the gorge, alternatively via the Wetterkreuz or the Hachleschlucht gorge, or take the number 4 bus back to Imst.

The gorge, like most in the Alps, was carved into the rock by meltwater at the end of the last ice age. This rock is 230 Ma old reef limestone from the Triassic period. The limestone forms rock faces, some of which are overhanging, right at the beginning, on the outskirts of Imst. Along the Rosengartlweg there are the Berglhäuser, cave houses that were not only built against the rock face, but even have rooms that were carved into the rock. However, they are not a museum, but are still inhabited today. In addition to residential buildings, there are also barns with simple doors in the rock face that lead into cellars at ground level, the advantage of which is obvious.

The gorge path is partly built into the slope, where there is only a steep rock face it is built as bridges on the rock face, and the gorge is crossed several times. Bridges and railings are mainly made of wood. A short tunnel was also driven through the rock several times. The average gradient along the length of the gorge is 17%. Of course, the path has to follow the gorge and sometimes you walk without an incline, followed by a staircase. Shortly before you reach Hochimst, you come to the Blue Grotto. Despite the name, this is not a cave, but an old mine. Galena was mined here in Roman times and in the Middle Ages. The mined ore is galena (PbS) with a low silver content, and also contains fluorite, zinc, cadmium, molybdenum and iron.

Good hiking boots are advisable, and you can also take something to drink and perhaps a snack with you. However, the ascent only takes an hour and there are various restaurants and cafés in Hochimst. We also recommend sun protection and rain gear just in case. In general, however, you should not cross the gorge in the rain, as the paths become slippery and the risk of accidents increases. The gorge is freely accessible and free of charge, the only restriction is weather-related. The gorge is closed in winter due to snow and ice, the exact period depends on the weather.