Knappenloch Fallwindes

Useful Information

Location:	Lesach 24, 9981 Kals am Großglockner. Fallwindestal. From Kals am Großglockner L26 southwards, turn left at the third junction to Lesach, turn right across the bridge, car park of the Rodelbahn Fallwindes. 1.5 km, 170 metres of elevation gain, approx. 45 minutes one way. (46.977804, 12.641565)
Open:	No restrictions. [2025]
Fee:	free. [2025]
Classification:	Iron Mine Gold Mine Copper Mine
Light:	LED
Dimension:	A=1,500 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided, D=10 min.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Tourismusinformation Kals am Großglockner, Glocknerhaus Kals, Ködnitz 7, A-9981 Kals am Großglockner, Tel: +43-50-212-540. kals@osttirol.com
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

15th century	beginning of mining.
17th century	end of mining.
1970s	developed as a show mine.
2021	new LED light system installed.

Geology

The polymetallic ore in a cleft contained sulfuric iron, copper and a minimal amount of gold. But the deposit is quite small and mining it was never very successful.

Description

The show mine Knappenloch Fallwindes was named after the Fallwindes valley, where it is located. It is a short mine tunnel which was created to mine pyrite with a content of gold and copper. The tunnel was mined between the 15th and 17th century, but it was not very successful so it was finally abandoned. Today the tunnel is equipped with a solar panel and a LED light system. The trails are developed, and hikers reaching the tunnel are allowed to simply turn on the light and have a look around. The light turns off automatically after 10 minutes.

This show mine is quite exceptional. It is one of the rare mines you can visit self guided. Old mines are always dangerous and exploration of such objects is quite dangerous. However, this mine is secured and regularly checked. There is a trail and electric light, so it is definitely a show mine. But the location is quite remote, and the only visitors are mountaineers which use the well maintained Austrian walking trails. So it is definitely not possible to have someone waiting for customers at a traditional ticket booth. To open the mine for free is a really good idea and we recommend it wholeheartedly.

Unfortunately, the online maps for this show mine are quite inaccurate. Neither Google nor OSM list it, but both have marked the Rodelhütte Fallwindes above and the path leading there. However, the show mine is well signposted on site and is located on the way to the Rodelhütte. The starting point is the car park at the Lesach Bridge.