Information
Landmark: Krimml WaterfallsCity: Innsbruck
Country: Austria
Continent: Europe
Krimml Waterfalls, Innsbruck, Austria, Europe
Overview
Tumbling through the Zillertal Alps in Salzburg, the Krimml Waterfalls (Krimmler Wasserfälle) rank among the most breathtaking natural sights in Austria-and all of Europe.Soaring 380 meters-about the height of three stacked city blocks-they’re the tallest waterfalls in Austria and rank fifth in all of Europe.The falls tumble down in three sweeping stages, mist rising where the water strikes the rocks, and thick green forests crowd close, drawing visitors who come for the beauty and the thrill of the wild.The Krimml Waterfalls sit in the Krimml Valley, just outside the small town of Krimml in Salzburg’s Pinzgau region, where the roar of falling water echoes through the alpine air.They lie within Hohe Tauern National Park, one of Austria’s largest, where wide valleys meet sharp, snow-dusted peaks.The Krimmler Ache, born from the icy melt of the Krimmler Kees glacier high on the Krimmler Tauern, feeds the roaring waterfalls.Water tumbles down the mountain in a chain of shining cascades, ending in a waterfall that roars through cool mist.The Krimml Waterfalls plunge a total of 380 meters (1,247 feet) in three dramatic steps-the lower falls drop about 140 meters, the middle falls tumble 100, and the upper falls fall another 140.Well-kept hiking trails wind alongside the cascades, leading to viewpoints where you can feel the cool mist on your face.These trails bring you right to the falls, where mist cools your face and the mountains and valley open wide before you.The Waterfall Trail (Wasserfallweg) is the main route-a 4.5 km (2.8 miles) climb from the base all the way to the top.The route is clearly marked and dotted with platforms where you can frame the waterfalls from fresh angles, from the mist rising off the rocks to the sweep of the valley beyond.At the Krimml Waterfalls Visitor Center, you’ll find detailed displays on the falls themselves, the plants and wildlife that thrive nearby, and the area’s unique geology.At the center, you’ll find hands-on exhibits and interactive displays that bring the waterfalls’ natural history to life, plus a vivid multimedia show that traces their formation and explains their place in the ecosystem.The Krimml Waterfalls sit within Hohe Tauern National Park, home to marmots darting between rocks, sure-footed ibexes, and soaring golden eagles.You can wander from the park into alpine meadows, shady forests, and along clear, rushing rivers.All around, the Krimmler Achental valley unfolds in vivid green, with the jagged peaks of the Zillertal Alps towering overhead.At the Krimml Waterfalls, the crash of water into the deep, blue pools sends up a cool mist that often catches the sunlight in a shimmering rainbow.Locals call it a “spa of nature,” believing the fine spray soothes the lungs and eases the breath, and many travelers come just to breathe in that crisp, damp air.A cool mist rises from the tumbling water, carrying negative ions believed to freshen the air and leave you feeling relaxed and renewed.From the nearby town of Krimml, it’s just a short drive to the parking area, where the trail to the waterfalls begins.A bus runs between Krimml and the base of the waterfalls, a handy option if you’d rather skip the hike.In winter, the falls transform, their roaring water locked in glittering ice.The falls never freeze solid, but the mist and biting cold coat nearby rocks and tree branches with glittering ice and frost, giving the scene a quiet, wintry magic.You can still take in the stunning view of the falls, but bundle up and watch your step-ice can slick the trails in winter.Once a favorite getaway for the Austrian royal family and aristocrats seeking fresh air and healing waters, the Krimml Waterfalls became a celebrated tourist spot in the late 1800s and still draw travelers from around the globe.Their dramatic cascades have even starred in films and documentaries.They sit within Hohe Tauern National Park, where miles of trails wind through forests and alpine meadows.You can wander through alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers, trek across glittering glaciers, and watch marmots dart between the rocks.Just down the road, Zell am See sits on the clear blue shore of Lake Zell, drawing visitors for skiing, hiking, and days out on the water.It’s a charming alpine town, where you can gaze across a glittering lake and wander past centuries-old buildings.Just beyond lies the Gerlos Pass, a winding mountain road near Krimml that opens to sweeping views of jagged peaks and deep green valleys.The pass draws plenty of drivers and motorcyclists, and just a short drive from Krimml you can reach Kaprun and the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, where year-round skiing and sweeping Alpine views await.In the end, the Krimml Waterfalls stand as a breathtaking natural wonder, offering dazzling scenery and countless outdoor adventures.You might find yourself climbing a pine-scented trail, studying ancient rock layers at the visitor center, or pausing to breathe in the cool mist drifting from the falls-Krimml captures the very heart and grandeur of Austria’s alpine scenery.The ease of getting to it
