History of the Groppenstein gorge

As early as the Middle Ages, the side valley leading towards Mallnitz was opened up for merchant traffic with the construction of the tollgate in Obervellach (starting point of the Groppenstein gorge), forming the so-called “Fuggerstraße” that led across Korntauern Mountain to take provisions to the mountain farmers of the Gastein region.

The former tollgate belonged to the Archduke and consisted of a one-storey, square tower with quarry-stone walls, measuring 4x4m. The tollgate was in operation from the second half of the 13th century until the first half of the 16th century.

At the starting point of Groppenstein gorge, remnants of a paper and cellulose factory constructed by the Fleischhacker family still survive.