Krimml Waterfalls
Waterfall Europe's highest waterfalls with series of cascading drops
Krimml Waterfalls in Hohe Tauern National Park descend in tiers over roughly 380 metres; visitors follow wooded trails and viewing platforms to experience the falls’ scale and mountain air.
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Krimml Waterfalls are a high, tiered waterfall complex on the Krimmler Ache in the Hohe Tauern region of Salzburg state and constitute one of Austria’s most prominent cascade systems.
The falls descend in several major tiers and are approached by a maintained hiking trail with observation points that allow visitors to view the different stages and the overall drop. Water volume and spray increase significantly in late spring and early summer during snowmelt.
The falls lie within the Hohe Tauern protected area near the village of Krimml and are integrated into a local trail network that links to alpine paths and nearby mountain valleys.
The waterfall system is accessed from Krimml village and is a focal natural attraction within the national-park landscape.
- Total drop: The waterfalls drop in a series of stages with a total vertical fall of about 380 metres and are fed by alpine streams from the surrounding Hohe Tauern range.
What to See #
- Three main tiers: Upper, middle and lower cascades that together make up the waterfall system, with marked trails and viewpoints at each tier.
- Trails and viewpoints: A network of forest trails and viewing platforms that give progressively closer views of the falls and the spray zone around the lower stages.
How to Get to Krimml Waterfalls #
Drive: Krimml Waterfalls are in the village of Krimml in the Hohe Tauern. From Salzburg city the drive is around 1.5-2 hours by car (mountain roads) to the village; parking and the main visitor entrance are close to the waterfall trailhead.
Public transport: regional buses serve Krimml from nearby larger towns (Zell am See / Mittersill); from the village centre the waterfall viewpoint and footpaths are a short walk uphill from the main parking/visitor area.
Tips for Visiting Krimml Waterfalls #
- Arrive at Krimml Waterfalls early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the coach groups that typically arrive mid‑day and to catch better light for photos highlighting rainbows in the spray.
- Start from the main lower parking/visitor area and follow the marked trail steadily upward to reach the multiple viewing platforms - the middle and upper platforms offer different perspectives and are often less crowded than the main lower viewpoint.
- Consider using local public transport (train or bus to Krimml) during peak season to avoid parking bottlenecks in the village and to time your arrival just before guided groups congregate.
Best Time to Visit Krimml Waterfalls #
Aim for late spring to early summer for the fullest waterfall flow; summer provides easiest access but is busiest.
Weather & Climate near Krimml Waterfalls #
Krimml Waterfalls's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1063 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (156 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (139 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
