Krimml Waterfall is the highest waterfall in Europe and the world’s fifth highest waterfall! It’s no wonder the 380 meter (1246 ft) waterfalls are one of Austria’s most visited attractions.
I normally avoid touristy places, but I couldn’t resist the lure of seeing what sounded like an impressive waterfall. I had been awed by Marmore Falls in Umbria, Italy, the world’s tallest manmade waterfall built in Roman times. But underwhelmed by the Rhine Falls, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. It’s the largest waterfall in Europe by volume. Being from Canada I had Niagara Falls expectations which felt sort as I observed the waterfall which was nice but resembled a really big rapid.
How would Krimml measure up?
As we drove the winding road up to Hohe Tauern National Park, where Krimml Waterfall is located, I admired the glaciers and craggy peaks. I was in mountain heaven at 1600 meters (5250 ft)!
We stopped at a viewpoint of Krimml Waterfall. It didn’t look overly impressive from the distance but it still sounded impressive. We were 6km away, but could still hear the unmistakable roar of the powerful water tumbling down 380m of rock.
So how did Krimml Waterfall measure up in person? I’ll let you be the judge:
Krimml Waterfall as seen from a distance. You could still hear the roar of the water from so far away!
J.P. (my husband) looking up at Krimml Waterfall.
Lower falls
Looking for the end of the rainbow? It’s hiding at Krimml Waterfall.
Me enjoying Krimml Waterfall at one of several viewing platforms.
Upper falls
View over Hohe Tauern National Park from Krimml Waterfall
So what do you think?
I loved it! The roar of the waterfall was often almost deafening. No sound existed except for the rush of the water, all voices, all birds were silenced. It was like nature turned up at full volume and was invigorating yet relaxing at the same time.
The wide path made Krimml Falls accessible to anyone in reasonably good shape. It takes between 75-90 minutes to reach the top of the waterfall but there is also a good vantage point about halfway up (~30 minutes) with some rocks looking up at the top part of the waterfall that would make a good spot for a picnic. There’s also a hut and kiosk there if you wanted to purchase food or something to drink.
I can be snobby when it comes to hiking and tend to avoid easy hikes unless I’m sick or injured. Full disclosure: the reason I choose to hike Krimml was because I was still healing from an injured knee (torn MCL) and this was my first hike since the injury.
But beyond the path to Krimml there are multiple huts so the hike could be extended into a full day hike to the Krimmler Tauernhaus or multi-day hike to one of the other huts. As luck would have it my snobbishness caught up with me. I was in too much pain to continue on to the Krimmler Tauernhaus – what I would consider to be more of a “real hike”. I normally would consider Krimml Waterfall to be a really easy hike, but my throbbing knee had me close to tears the entire way down. So no matter what your idea of a “hike” is, there truly is something for everyone at Krimml Waterfall.
The surrounding scenery in Hohe Tauren National Park is incredible! Multiple glaciers, craggy peaks and of course Krimml Waterfall. It deserves so much more than the day trip we had allocated for it. We’ll be back for a multi-day trip, to do some “real” hikes.
