The Krimml Waterfalls – A Natural Wonder in the Salzburg Region

The Krimml Waterfalls are among the most impressive natural attractions in Austria. The Krimml Ache river plunges a total of around 380 metres over three powerful tiers. The thunderous sound of the water, the fine spray and the alpine landscape of Hohe Tauern National Park make a visit a truly special experience. The waterfalls are considered the highest in Austria and, because of their total height and volume of water, are often described as the largest waterfalls in Europe.

Around 400,000 people from all over the world visit the Krimml Waterfalls every year. This makes them one of Austria’s best-known and most frequently visited natural attractions. Especially during the summer months, the spectacular site attracts numerous hikers, families, tour groups and nature enthusiasts.

Geographical Location and Federal State

The Krimml Waterfalls are located in the municipality of Krimml in the Austrian federal state of Salzburg. Krimml belongs to the political district of Zell am See and is situated in the westernmost part of the Oberpinzgau region, close to the borders with Tyrol and South Tyrol.

The village lies at an altitude of approximately 1,067 metres at the upper end of the Salzach Valley. Krimml is around 125 kilometres from the city of Salzburg. The municipality covers an area of roughly 169 square kilometres. Large parts of the region consist of mountain landscapes, glaciers, forests and alpine pastures.

The highest peak within the municipality is the Dreiherrnspitze, which rises to around 3,500 metres. Krimml is also the only municipality in the federal state of Salzburg that borders directly on Italy. Because of this location, the area was an important transit region between the Salzburg region, Tyrol and present-day South Tyrol for centuries.

Population and the Importance of Tourism

Despite its international fame, Krimml is a small municipality with around 800 inhabitants. With fewer than five residents per square kilometre, Krimml is one of the most sparsely populated municipalities in the Salzburg region.

The small population stands in striking contrast to the great importance of tourism. Around 400,000 day visitors come to see the waterfalls every year. In addition, the municipality records more than 400,000 overnight stays annually.

During the summer, the village is mainly visited by hikers, nature lovers and families. In winter, many holidaymakers come to Krimml and Hochkrimml for skiing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking and tobogganing. Due to its proximity to the Zillertal Arena, the municipality is also an important winter sports destination.

Formation of the Krimml Waterfalls

The geological history of the Krimml Waterfalls began approximately 30 million years ago. At that time, the African and Eurasian continental plates collided. The enormous pressure folded layers of rock and gradually raised the Alps. This process also created the so-called Tauern Window, a geological feature in which deeply buried rock layers became exposed at the Earth’s surface.

During the Ice Ages, huge glaciers shaped the present-day Salzach Valley. They carved the main valley much more deeply than the higher Krimml Achen Valley. After the ice melted, a considerable difference in altitude remained between the two valleys.

Today, the Krimml Ache flows over this steep drop in three large tiers. Particularly resistant rock formations prevented the steep sections from being completely eroded. As a result, the upper, middle and lower waterfalls have survived as powerful cascades.

The Krimml Ache is fed by rainfall, snowfields and several glaciers. Its water volume therefore changes considerably during the year and even throughout a single day. In early summer and summer, melting snow, glacial meltwater and rainfall produce particularly large volumes of water.

On average, several cubic metres of water plunge over the tiers every second. On warm summer afternoons, the volume of water can be significantly greater than in the early morning or during autumn.

Historical Development and Tourist Access

The area around Krimml was already inhabited during the Bronze Age. From around 1600 BC, a hilltop settlement with several huts existed on the Falkenstein, approximately two kilometres east of the present village centre.

The route across the Krimml Tauern was probably used from an early period. It later developed into an important pack trail along which salt was transported southwards and wine northwards. The Krimml Tauernhaus, which provided accommodation for travellers, traders and packhorse drivers, was first mentioned in historical records in 1389.

For a long time, the waterfalls themselves were hardly regarded as a tourist attraction. It was only during the Romantic period in the late 18th and early 19th centuries that painters, naturalists and wealthy travellers discovered the wild alpine landscape. Archduke Johann visited the waterfalls in 1829.

The first paths and viewing points at the lower waterfall were created during the first half of the 19th century. In 1879, the German and Austrian Alpine Clubs constructed an improved trail with bridges and viewing platforms.

The opening of the Pinzgau local railway towards the end of the 19th century made travelling to Krimml considerably easier. In 1901, the waterfall trail was further developed by the Warnsdorf section of the Alpine Club. Since then, it has led directly alongside the three waterfall tiers in numerous bends.

There were several plans to use the water power of the Krimml Ache to generate electricity. However, conservationists, Alpine Clubs and parts of the local population successfully campaigned to preserve the landscape. In 1958, the Krimml Achen Valley and the waterfalls were placed under official protection.

In 1967, the Krimml Waterfalls received the European Diploma for Protected Areas. Since 1984, they have formed part of Hohe Tauern National Park and are therefore permanently protected.

Sights and Natural Attractions

In addition to the waterfalls, Krimml offers several other sights and excursion destinations:

• Waterfall Trail: The approximately four-kilometre trail leads from the lower waterfall past numerous viewpoints to the top of the falls. The complete ascent is steep in places and requires a certain level of fitness.
• Krimml Worlds of Water: The visitor centre at the entrance to the waterfalls explains the water cycle, the power of water and the formation of the falls. Interactive exhibits and a water park make the attraction particularly interesting for families.
• Krimml Achen Valley: Above the waterfalls, a peaceful high valley opens up, featuring alpine pastures, mountain streams and varied hiking trails.
• Krimml Tauernhaus: The historic inn in the valley has served as an important resting place for travellers and hikers since the Middle Ages.
• Anton Wallner Monument: The monument in the village centre commemorates the Salzburg freedom fighter associated with Krimml.
• Gerlos Alpine Road: The panoramic road connects Krimml with the Zillertal Valley in Tyrol and offers numerous views of the waterfalls and the surrounding mountains.
• Krimml Parish Church: Together with traditional houses, the church forms the historic centre of the municipality.
• Hohe Tauern National Park: Numerous hiking trails, nature trails, alpine pastures and viewpoints can be found around Krimml.
• Zillertal Arena: The extensive ski area around Hochkrimml offers numerous slopes, mountain lifts and winter sports facilities.

Famous Personalities

Several well-known personalities are associated with Krimml:

• Franz Innerhofer: The Austrian writer was born in Krimml in 1944. His autobiographical novel Schöne Tage, published in 1974, made him well known throughout the German-speaking world. In the novel, he described the harsh life of a child and farmhand in the rural society of the Pinzgau region.
• Anton Wallner: The Salzburg freedom fighter grew up in Oberkrimml and was probably born in Krimml or the immediate surrounding area. During the conflicts of 1809, he led Salzburg troops against the French-Bavarian occupation.
• Liesl Geisler-Scharfetter: The landlady of the Krimml Tauernhaus, who was born in Krimml, supported thousands of Jewish refugees in 1947. They attempted to cross the Krimml Tauern into Italy before continuing towards Palestine. She provided the exhausted travellers with food and a place to rest.

Typical Food and Drinks

The cuisine of Krimml is shaped by the farming traditions of the Pinzgau region, alpine farming and, to some extent, influences from Tyrol and South Tyrol. Typical specialities include:

• Pinzgau-style cheese noodles with strong cheese and fried onions
• Fried cheese dumplings served in a hearty soup or with salad
• Pinzgauer Bladln made from potato dough
• Filled farmhouse doughnuts
• A traditional snack platter with bacon, cheese, sausage and farmhouse bread
• Dishes made with Pinzgau beef
• Game dishes from the surrounding forests
• Specialities made with Tauern lamb
• Shredded pancake with plum compote or apple sauce
• Farmhouse doughnuts with jam
• Fried apple rings and apple strudel
• Locally distilled fruit schnapps
• Herbal and gentian schnapps
• Regional beer
• Buttermilk from the surrounding alpine pastures
• Regional fruit juices and herbal teas

Many of these dishes were originally prepared from simple ingredients such as potatoes, flour, milk, cheese and eggs, which were readily available on local farms and alpine pastures. They are hearty and filling and are especially suitable after a long hike to the waterfalls.

Typical Souvenirs

A wide range of traditional and regional souvenirs is available as a reminder of the Krimml Waterfalls and the mountain landscape of Hohe Tauern National Park. Particularly popular items include:

• Postcards featuring the three waterfall tiers
• Photo magnets showing views of the Krimml Waterfalls
• Mugs and drinking cups featuring Krimml or waterfall designs
• Snow globes with miniature representations of the waterfalls
• Keyrings made of metal, wood or plastic
• Hiking badges and pins
• Drinking bottles and practical hiking accessories
• Plush toys representing native alpine animals
• Small figures of marmots, ibexes, eagles or cows
• Souvenirs featuring edelweiss, gentian or alpine designs
• Illustrated books and calendars about the Krimml Waterfalls
• Books and information material about Hohe Tauern National Park
• Wooden decorations and handcrafted regional products
• Regional cheese and bacon
• Farmhouse bread and preserved sausage specialities
• Honey from the Salzburg region
• Herbal products and herb salt
• Jams and fruit preserves
• Fruit schnapps, herbal liqueurs and traditional Pinzgau spirits

The shops at the Krimml Worlds of Water, along the waterfall trail and in the village centre offer both traditional keepsakes and regional food products from Hohe Tauern National Park. Visitors can therefore choose between decorative mementos, practical travel souvenirs and culinary specialities.

Conclusion

The Krimml Waterfalls combine nature, geological history, culture and tourism in an exceptional way. Their formation began millions of years ago, while their development as a tourist attraction took place mainly during the 19th century.

Today, they are the landmark of a small municipality whose name is known far beyond the borders of Austria. The thundering waterfalls, the Krimml Achen Valley, historic trails and regional traditions make Krimml a varied and attractive travel destination.

At the same time, the history of nature conservation in the region demonstrates that economic exploitation and technical development do not always have to take priority. It is precisely because the waterfalls were preserved and protected that hundreds of thousands of visitors can experience this impressive spectacle of water, rock, forest and light every year.