What This Is
Kletterwald Tannheimer Tal is a technical forest obstacle course with 7-8 progressive difficulty levels reaching heights of 17 meters—roughly equivalent to a 5-story building. Unlike scenic tourist walkways, this is an athletic challenge operated by Tiefblick GmbH, a serious player in the German/Austrian high-ropes market. The park features two major Flying Fox ziplines (120m and 100m) and uses the bulletproof Edelrid Smart Belay safety system. The critical intelligence: you do NOT need a cable car ticket—the park is at the valley floor, not the summit. Buying a lift pass is a €25+ rookie error.
Primary Purpose
Technical skills challenge, not scenic sightseeing. The "Köllenspitze" course at 17 meters will expose weak grip strength and fear of heights within minutes. It's designed to fatigue you with unstable stirrups, swinging logs, and transitions that force you to trust your gear completely.
The KönigsCard Hack
If you're staying at a partner hotel in the Allgäu/Tyrol region, your entry may be FREE with the KönigsCard—potentially saving €100+ for a family. This changes the value from "Good" to "Unbeatable." Always check before booking accommodation.
Who This Is For
The Technician who likes solving physical puzzles while hanging by fingertips. The "Mixed Ability" Squad with varying skill levels. The Budget Adrenaline Hunter who wants to skip the cable car tax. NOT for "View Hunters"—you're in the forest, not on a peak.
Parking Strategy
Parkplatz Krinnenalplift. ~€5/day. Large lot shared with hikers. Critical: Arrive before 09:30 AM on sunny Saturdays. By 11:00 AM, you'll be circling or stuck in muddy overflow. 5-minute flat walk to the harness station.
Pricing
Adults: ~€26-29 | Youth (14-17): ~€22-25 | Children (6-13): ~€18-21. KönigsCard holders: Entry often FREE (1x per day for 3 hours). Cash is king—parking machines may only take coins.
Timing
Best month: September. Stable weather, cooler air, fewer thunderstorms than July/August. Avoid: Last entry is 60-90 mins before closing—arrive early to complete all courses.
Access
Nesselwängle 145, 6672 Nesselwängle, Austria. Near Krinnenalpe Chairlift bottom station. Bus stop "Nesselwängle Krinnenalplift" is 200m away. DO NOT buy lift ticket—park is at valley floor.
The Adrenaline Audit
The "Köllenspitze" Factor: The 17-Meter Reality Check
Most rope parks in Bavaria and Tyrol cap out at 10-12 meters. It feels high, but it still feels "connected" to the ground. Kletterwald Tannheimer Tal pushes its flagship course, named after the local mountain "Köllenspitze," to 17 meters (55 feet).
The difference between 10 meters and 17 meters is not linear—it's exponential in terms of psychological impact. At 10 meters, human faces on the ground are distinguishable, and vocal communication is easy. At 17 meters, ground observers become blurry shapes, and the acoustic disconnect creates a sense of isolation. The primal "don't fall" instinct—the amygdala's fear response—kicks in significantly harder.
The "Exposure" Effect: Unlike an indoor climbing gym where mats are visible, the exposure here is raw. You are suspended over uneven forest terrain, roots, and rocks. Although you are perfectly safe in your harness, the perception of danger is acute. This height is sufficient to trigger vertigo even in individuals who typically do not suffer from acrophobia.
The "Köllenspitze" course is designed to fatigue you. Expect unstable stirrups that swing wildly if you don't engage your core stabilizers. Expect swinging logs that require a rhythm to cross. Transitions between trees often force you to trust your gear completely, hanging your full body weight on the lanyard before transferring to the next obstacle. If you complete this course without sweating, you are likely a regular gym climber or have significant upper-body conditioning.
The Flying Fox Configuration
The park features two major ziplines (Flying Fox) measuring 120 meters and 100 meters. These aren't short "transfer" zips between trees—they are dedicated speed runs over a clearing. The launch platforms are high, and the 120m run allows you to build actual momentum.
Compared to the monster mega-ziplines (like the Flying Fox XXL in Leogang), this is mid-tier. But compared to a standard high ropes course? It's top-tier. The sensation of speed is amplified by the proximity of the trees; rushing past spruce branches at 30-40 km/h feels faster than flying high above an open valley.
Landing Protocol: The ziplines here typically use a scout landing (you land on your feet in wood chips) or a gravity scoop (the cable goes uphill at the end). Be prepared to run! If you come in hot on the 120m zip, you need to lift your legs or run it out. Do not just go limp—or you will drag your butt through the bark mulch. It's undignified.
Skill Spectrum: Who Survives?
The Difficulty Curve
The park operates 7-8 courses, creating a clear progression ladder:
| Level | Description | For Whom |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 (Green/Blue) | Glorified walking on suspended planks. Get used to Smart Belay system. | Absolute beginners, exposure therapy |
| 4-5 (Red) | Balance, upper body strength, coordination required. Punishes bad technique. | Active adults (sweet spot) |
| 6-7 (Black/Köllenspitze) | 17m height, wider spacing. May require pull-up motions if foot slips. | Advanced—the "sport" level |
Can you level up on-site? Absolutely. You pay for entry to the park, not a specific course. You can start on the "Kiddy" course and work your way up to the 17-meter monster. This is the best way to handle a group with mixed confidence levels—you have the autonomy to push your limits until you reach failure.
The Staff: "Bored Teenagers" or Pros?
The "Tiefblick" operator runs multiple parks (including Bärenfalle and Grüntensee). This is a corporate adventure structure, not a "mom and pop" backyard build. The staff follow strict protocols derived from years of operating multiple high-volume sites.
Expect efficiency over empathy. They are safety marshals, not personal coaches. They will brief you on the Smart Belay, check your harness tension (the "squeeze test"), and watch from the ground. If you get stuck 17 meters up, they don't panic—they have specific abseil gear to lower you down.
The Smart Belay System
The park uses the Edelrid Smart Belay system—communicating carabiners. When one clip is open, the other mechanically cannot open. This eliminates the "fear of death" allowing you to focus on the "fear of the obstacle."
Smart Belay Rhythm
Find the rhythm: Click-Clack-Slide. If you fight it, it jams. Be gentle with the clips—if you force them, they lock up, and you look like an amateur struggling at the start of the zipline while 10 people watch. Finesse beats force. The rollers on the carabiners are designed to glide over the cables—use this to conserve energy on long traverses.
Location & Access: The "Bottom Station" Reality
CRITICAL INTELLIGENCE: The park is at the valley floor in Nesselwängle, NOT at a summit. If you buy a €23 cable car ticket, you will ride up to the top of the mountain, realize the climbing park is not there, and have to ride back down—wasting 45 minutes and €23. The "Lift Ticket Tax" is entirely voluntary here.
The Geolocation
Town: Nesselwängle (NOT Tannheim, NOT Grän). Nesselwängle is the easternmost village in the valley.
Landmark: Krinnenalpe Chairlift (Sesselbahn Krinnenalpe)—the park is in the forest directly adjacent to the bottom station.
The "Last Mile": It is a 5-minute flat walk from the car to the harness station. No "sweaty uphill scramble" required.
Public Transit: The "No Car" Option
- Bus Line: Tyrolean Regional Bus (VVT) / RVO (from German side)
- Stop Name: "Nesselwängle Krinnenalplift" (~200m from entrance)
- Reliability: Austrian buses are clockwork. If schedule says 14:02, be there at 14:00.
- Guest Card Perk: If staying in the valley, your Tannheimer Tal Card often includes free bus transit.
Money Reality
Pricing Breakdown
| Category | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | ~€26-29 | 3-hour block |
| Youth (14-17) | ~€22-25 | 3-hour block |
| Child (6-13) | ~€18-21 | Must be accompanied |
| KönigsCard Holder | FREE | 1x per day, 3 hours |
| Parking | ~€5 | Coins recommended |
Hidden Costs
- Gloves: They sell them for €3-5. Bring your own mechanic/garden gloves for better fit.
- Spectators: Usually free to walk around underneath.
- Payment: Austria is modernizing, but CASH IS KING in remote valleys. The parking machine might only take coins. Always carry €20 in small bills/coins.
The Value Equation
You get 3 hours. If you are fit, you can run all 7-8 courses in 2.5 hours. Because of the 17m height and the Flying Fox, you are getting "premium" obstacles, not just wooden planks on the ground. The intensity per euro is HIGH—especially if you have a KönigsCard making it free.
Weather & Seasons
The Tannheimer Tal is a "Hochtal" (High Valley) at ~1,100m elevation. The air is thinner, the sun is stronger, and the temperature drops faster than in the lowlands.
Best Time to Go
The Month: September. July/August are thunderstorm months in the Alps—you might get pulled off the course at 2 PM because of lightning. September offers stable high-pressure systems, cooler air (better for physical exertion), and the leaves start turning gold.
Winter: CLOSED
The park does NOT operate in winter. The equipment is likely de-tensioned or covered. Do not come here in January expecting to climb trees—you'll find skiing and hiking only.
Weather Cancellation Reality
- Rain: They climb in light rain. The trees provide a canopy. Drizzle adds a "commando" vibe but makes wooden obstacles slipperier (+1 difficulty grade).
- Wind/Lightning: Immediate shutdown. Being attached to a steel cable 17 meters up during a lightning storm is a bad idea. Operators monitor radar closely.
- Cold: Even in summer, 1,100m can be chilly in the morning (10°C/50°F). If you go for the 10:00 AM slot, bring a layer—you'll sweat once you start, but the briefing is in the shade.
Combo Strategy: The Full Adventure Day
You're driving all the way to Nesselwängle. Don't just climb for 2 hours and leave. The Tannheimer Tal is one of the most beautiful valleys in Europe.
Option A: The "Triathlon" (Climb → Hike → Swim)
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 09:30 - 12:30 | Kletterwald | Crush the 17m course. Sweat. |
| 12:30 - 14:00 | Lunch at Edenalpe | Authentic Tyrolean food (Kaspressknödel, Kaiserschmarrn) |
| 14:00 - 16:30 | Haldensee Swim | Warm alpine lake. Often free with guest card. |
Option B: The "Double Adrenaline" (Kletterwald + Highline179)
If the rope park was just a warm-up and you crave more, the Highline179 suspension bridge in Reutte is 20-25 minutes away. It spans 406 meters at a height of 114 meters. The Kletterwald is kinetic (movement, speed, jumping). The Highline179 is static (height, swaying, exposure). Doing both in one day covers the full spectrum of vertigo.
Insider Intel & "Gotchas"
- Mistake #1: The "Lift Ticket" Donation. Buying the cable car ticket to get to the ropes course is the rookie error of the century. Walk the 5 minutes from the parking lot. Use the saved €23 for a Kaiserschmarrn.
- Mistake #2: Wearing Sandals. You will be sent back to the car. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory. Sturdy sneakers or approach shoes work best—hiking boots can be too clunky for wire balancing.
- Mistake #3: Arriving at 3:30 PM. They stop letting people on courses 60-90 mins before closing. The "Last Entry" is a hard deadline.
- Mistake #4: Underestimating "Köllenspitze." It looks easy from the ground. It is physically draining. Do NOT start it if you're already exhausted from the other 6 courses.
- The Comparison Trap: Kletterwald Tannheimer Tal vs. Grüntensee. Both run by Tiefblick. Grüntensee is better for pure families with a lake and coaster nearby. Tannheimer Tal has better scenery (limestone peaks) and steeper terrain. Go to Tannheimer for mountains and height.
Content Creation Gold
Phone Policy
You are generally allowed to take your phone, but it MUST be secured. If you drop an iPhone 14 from 17 meters, it becomes a projectile that can kill someone on the ground. Zipper pockets or a lanyard case are required.
GoPro Strategy
Chest mounts are tricky because the harness straps cover your chest and the Smart Belay connection point can obstruct the view. Helmet mount is best—bring a strap mount that fits vented helmets (you're usually required to wear their helmet).
The Money Shots
- From the Ground: Have a friend stand near the start of the Flying Fox landing zone. The zippers come in fast and low.
- On Course: The "Köllenspitze" course has high platforms with the Gimpel mountain peak in the background. This is the profile pic spot—the contrast between dark forest foreground and bright grey limestone creates dramatic depth.
- Golden Hour: The sun hits the south-facing slopes in the morning. Nesselwängle gets good morning light. For best photos, go before 1:00 PM before the mountains cast long shadows.