Through the Mist of Water: The Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Tirol

No other waterfall in Tirol has a longer vertical drop than the Stuibenfall near Umhausen in Ötztal, where up to 2,000 litres of water flow over its rocky crest every second. This natural spectacle owes its name, Stäuben (Stuiben), to the water spray and is easily accessible via various hiking trails. The Stuibenfall is easily accessible by means of a trail and step construction that was built in 2016. Hikers can reach the base of the waterfall in Niederthai via circa 700 steps and an exposed, 80-metre-long suspension bridge, which passes viewing platforms and the raging waters. From May to October, the Stuibenfall is floodlit every Wednesday evening until midnight – a real highlight.

The Stuibenfall can be accessed in around half an hour on foot from Ötzi-Dorf (Am Tauferberg 8, 6441 Umhausen) .

Measuring 85 metres in breadth, the Grawa Waterfall in the Upper Stubaital Valley is the widest in the entire eastern Alps. Fed by a number of glacial streams, the Sulzaubach river shoots over a majestic rocky ledge at a total height of 180 metres. This impressive scene, which can be admired from viewing platforms at the top and bottom, is part of the "WildeWasserWeg" ("Wild Water Trail"). The hike can be completed in less than two hours, is suitable for beginners and begins at the Tschangelair Alm.

Starting point for hikers: Tschangelair Alm, Dorf 12, 6167 Neustift

This impressive natural spectacle lies at an altitude of 1,298 metres. Not far from Jochberg, the Sintersbach River plunges down a drop of 85 metres. A wonderful place, where one can relax and replenish flagging energy levels. Something many walkers may be in need of after this moderately difficult 9-kilometre hike from Jochberg, which encompasses an overall uphill climb of 648 vertical metres. The total hike takes around four hours to complete.

Starting point for hikers is the Schradler car park, 6373 Jochberg. An ascent to the Wildalm is recommended.

Thundering water masses churn beneath visitors' feet here. Over millennia, the raging waters have cut deep into the rock to create a gorge known as the Zammer Lochputz. This place of legend, dominated by rock formations, is accessible via the Wasser-Erlebnis-Steig (Water Adventure Trail), which leads over well-maintained walkways and tunnels to the 30-metre-high Lötzer Waterfall. It is connected to the oldest hydro-electric power plant in Tirol. Floodlit night walks through the gorge can be enjoyed in mid-summer.

Zammer Lochputz, Hauptstraße 53, 6511 Zams

Beautiful views are provided by the four-kilometre-long "Wasserfallweg" ("Waterfall Trail") in Hintertux. Surrounded by the mountains of Zillertal, hikers will be amazed at what the interaction of water and rock can create at 1,500 metres above sea level: caves, canyons and natural rock bridges. These can be seen in particular at the Kesselfall Waterfall, named after a deep rock basin that has been created over time by the raging waters. The trail also leads past the powerful Schraubenfall Waterfall, whose spray imparts welcome coolness on warm summer days. On the moderately challenging descent, walkers will also see the "Walfischmaul" ("Whale's Mouth"), a large boulder which has split naturally into a whale-like form.

Starting point for hikers: 6294 Hintertux, southern outskirts of the village.

Many regard it as the most beautiful of its kind on the Alps: the Wolfsklamm Gorge at Stans. Since 1901, this ruggedly romantic gorge has been accessible by means of wooden walkways. Over the years, the Stanser Bach river has carved its way through the Dolomite rock and cascades down to the depths over a myriad of waterfalls, occasionally slowing to linger for a moment in one of the many emerald green pools. The walk through the gorge and up to St. Georgenberg Sanctuary, the oldest pilgrimage monastery in Tirol, takes around one hour. Just before you get there, the trail takes you over the "Hohe Brücke" ("High Bridge"), whose stone arches date back to 1497 and were once part of the oldest bridge in Tirol.

Wolfsklamm car park, St. Georgenberg, 6135 Stans. The Wolfsklamm Gorge is open from May until November. Admission fee: €5.

The circular trail that leads to the Schleier Waterfall in Hart im Zillertal is no ordinary route. It is designed in the form of a bird and introduces walkers to over 40 native bird species, ranging from the common blackbird to the “Zilp-Zalp”. With a 91 metre drop, the Schleier Waterfall is the highest waterfall in the Zillertal Valley. Numerous tables and benches offer a welcome place to rest. This circular walk can be completed in around two and a half hours.

The nature trail begins around 300 metres south of the parish church, 6265 Hart im Zillertal.