The biggest waterfalls in Europe:
A visit to the Krimmler Waterfalls
I confess – I am a sucker for waterfalls. Especially if they are in an alpine-like landscape. And I love a good “Kaiserschmarrn” – but more to that later.
The Krimmler Waterfalls are the highest waterfalls of Austria. They stretch over 385 meters and rush down to the valley over three levels.
The Krimmler Waterfalls are in the national parc “Hohe Tauern”, which is located between Innsbruck and Kitzbühl.
Suggested for: easy trail, basic endurance needed
Start point: Parking Lot Krimml, free parking lot
End point: Parking Lot Krimml
Altitude: 570 meters up and down
Distance: 15,7 km
Duration: 5 hours
You can start your hike from the small city of “Krimml”. From here you head south to the entrance of the waterfalls. You will have to pay a small entrance fee at the “Rupertiwinkl”. Alongside the waterfalls, you can find a well-developed trail, which leads you to the top of the waterfall. The 4 kilometers long trail leads you along streams and offers many viewpoints.
About 200 meters behind the entrance, you will find the first viewpoint of the lower waterfall. This viewpoint is by far the most crowded as it is at the starting point of the trail and not all visitors plan to hike the whole trail to see the next levels. The mist of the waterfalls is your recurring companion – so make sure, that you bring your rain jacket.
The trail winds along the waterfalls in small serpentines and keeps leading you back to the waterfront – offering spectacular views of the water thundering down the mountainside.
The second viewpoint is located at the step of the middling waterfall, which you will reach after about 1,5 kilometers. A small pulpit offers great views of the lower and the middling waterfalls. Close to the second level you can find the “Gasthof Schönangerl”, where you can stop for a bite to eat or drink.
The next 1.5 kilometers from the middling viewpoint to the top of the waterfall are full of further viewpoints, such as “Staubige Reib” at 1330 meters, “Bergerblick” at 1390 meters and finally the “Schettkanzel” at 1460 meters, which will offer you a great view of the upper part of the upper waterfall.
From here you can either make your way back to “Krimml” or continue further along the “Krimmler Ache”. If you want to return to Krimml, you just follow the trail back downwards. If you decide to continue your hike, you just follow along the river. Soon behind the “Schettkanel” you will find the “Schettbrücke”, which crosses the river. From here you continue on a well-developed trail along the riverbank. Slowly, the river stops blustering and calms down. The path leads you along the steep hillsides of the “Großvenediger” massif. Soon, a green valley spreads in front of you and you will spot cows and small mountain pastures.
About 2,5 kilometers from the Schettbrücke you will find a small collection of mountain huts, which will offer you a hearty meal and a hot drink. I can recommend visiting the “Hölzlahneralm” and to get yourself some “Kaiserschmarrn” as it is delicious!
Enjoy the peaceful, green meadows of the “Achental” before heading back to Krimml.
Krimmler Waterfalls, located in the Hohe Tauern National Park in Austria, is one of the tallest and most famous waterfalls in Europe. Here’s how to get there:
From Salzburg:
- Drive via the A10 (Tauern Autobahn) south towards Bischofshofen.
- Take the exit toward B311 (Pinzgauer Bundesstraße) in the direction of Zell am See.
- Continue on B311 until you reach the turn-off for Gerlos Straße (B165) in Mittersill, which leads you directly to Krimml.
From Innsbruck:
- Take the A12 (Inntal Autobahn) east towards Wörgl.
- Exit at Wörgl-Ost and follow the B170 (Wildschönauer Straße) to Hopfgarten im Brixental.
- Then, take the B165 Gerlos Straße, which passes through the scenic Gerlos Pass and leads you to Krimml.
From Kaprun:
- Start by heading west from Kaprun on the B168 road towards Mittersill.
- In Mittersill, take the B165 road towards Krimml.
- Continue on the B165 until you reach Krimml, where the entrance to the waterfalls is well signposted.
- The drive takes approximately 1 hour (about 55 km).
Parking:
There are parking areas available near the entrance to the Krimmler Waterfalls. From there, it’s a short walk to the waterfall entrance.
