Waterfalls in Germany. Idyllic nature and glistening masses of water that wind through rocks and valleys or tumble down cliffs – there are plenty of these in Germany.
Triberg Waterfalls
With a drop of 163 meters, the Triberg waterfalls in the Black Forest are among the highest waterfalls in Germany. The masses of water fall down over seven steps and make for an impressive sight. The excursion destination can be visited all year round – even until late in the evening, as the waterfalls are illuminated until 10 p.m. A total of three paths, the nature path, the culture path and the cascade path lead directly past the water masses.
Allerheiligen Waterfalls
The Allerheiligen waterfalls are also located in the Black Forest. The natural attraction was only opened up in 1840, so visitors can now explore the natural spectacle via a scenic path. Several bridges lead over the waterfall, which plunges more than 90 meters into the valley in seven cascades. Very close by are the early Gothic monastery ruins of the same name, which are also worth a visit.
Urach Waterfall
Anyone traveling in the Swabian Alb should not miss the Urach Waterfall. What is special about it? It can be viewed from different perspectives, either from below, as it meanders down moss covered stones into the valley, or from above, where it falls almost 40 meters down over the tuff edge as a jet of water. However, hikers should avoid getting too close to the waterfall so as not to destroy the calcareous tuff, a porous rock.
Todtnauer Waterfall
Back in the Black Forest: In the middle of the Todtnau mountains is one of the highest natural waterfalls in Germany. The Todtnauer waterfall is fed by the Stübenbach and clear mountain streams, which together fall 97 meters over a huge granite massif into the valley. The waterfall has been a listed building since 1987 and attracts more than 100,000 visitors every year.
The Breitachklamm in Oberstdorf
If you want to watch thundering masses of water, the Breitachklamm in Oberstdorf is the place for you. The natural monument is the deepest rock gorge in Central Europe, the vertical and overhanging walls rise almost a hundred meters high, through or over which the water laps. Since the Breitachklamm was opened up as a hiking trail in 1905, over 24 million visitors have found their way to the geotope.
The Königssee in Berchtesgaden.
The highest waterfall in Germany is located near the Königssee in Berchtesgaden. The Röthbachfall has a drop of 470 meters, spread over two main stages. If you want to see it, you first have to take a boat across the Königssee to reach the Saletalm and from their hike about 3 kilometers past the Obersee to the Fischunkelalm. There is a small piece of forest, behind which the Röthbachfall is hidden. The complicated situation ensures that the natural monument is spared from crowds of tourists despite its record height.
The Lechfall near Füssen
The Lechfall near Füssen is easier to reach. The water masses have their source in the Lechquellengebirge in the Austrian Vorarlberg, from where they meander to the Ostallgäu. Construction work carried out there ensures that the river now flows over a weir about 12 meters high. Onlookers have a good view of it via a bridge that leads over it and is easily accessible from a visitor car park.
Geratser Waterfall
Hardly known, but no less beautiful is the Geratser waterfall near Rettenberg in Oberallgäu. The rushing amounts of water are caused by the meeting of the Kranzegger Bach and the Geratser Ach. The spectacle can be reached from a hiking car park in Rettenberg, the path leads across meadows and through an idyllic mixed forest. The hike takes about an hour.
Buchenegger Waterfalls
Numerous excursion destinations await travelers in the vicinity of Oberstaufen in the Oberallgäu. One of them is the Buchenegger waterfalls, which are about a kilometer behind the village of the same name. The waterfall falls in two stages, with the lower waterfall having dug a beautiful cauldron that looks almost like a bathing paradise. Those who want to see the waterfalls can set off from Steibis or from Buchenegg the latter route being associated with more incline.
The Leutasch Gorge
Visitors to the Leutasch Gorge in the border forest between Tyrol and Bavaria experience an impressive natural spectacle. At the end of a valley, the Leutascher Ache meanders about 110 meters down towards Mittenwald. On the way there, over many thousands of years, it created a deep incision in the rock, which can now be explored via three different paths. The oldest accessible trail is the Wasserfallsteig, which ends after 200 meters in front of a 23-meter-high waterfall. Thundering masses of water and the power of nature can be experienced here up close.
In order to experience thundering waterfalls, you often don’t have to drive that far. In Germany especially in hiking areas and forests, there are a large number of impressive natural spectacles that invite you to be explored. A visit to a waterfall can easily be combined with a hike or a day trip. The falling masses of water are not only impressive, but they also create a magical atmosphere that helps to switch off.
This article was originally published on Frankfurter Rundschau Germany
