The Krimml Waterfalls in Austria are Europe’s highest waterfalls with a total drop of 380 m over three tiers. Going out of your way to visit the falls in the Hohe Tauern National Park is totally worth it. This guide tells you everything you need to know for a successful visit.
In German, they’re called the Krimmler Wasserfälle, or Krimmler waterfalls.
We’ve visited the Krimml Falls on a day trip from Zell am See twice, six years apart, and came back with different impressions after each visit. What stands out is that it’s an immersive nature-experience that requires some physical effort which is rewarded with breathtaking views and a feeling of accomplishment.
Krimml Waterfalls Fast Facts
| Entrance fee | €9.00 (adults) / €4.50 (kids 6-15 yrs) – waterfall trail only €15.90 (adults) / €7.90 (kids 6-15 yrs) – combined ticket with Krimml WaterWorlds |
| Opening times | Waterfall trail: open continuously (24 hours), 1 May to 27 October 2026 Krimml WaterWorlds & ticket centre: 09:00 to 17:00 (last admission 16:30), same season |
| Waterfall trail total length | 4.15 km (one way), 431 m elevation gain |
| Time needed for visit | 1 to 5 hours depending on how much of the trail you cover |
| Parking | Several fee-paying car parks (P1-P5) near the trailhead; from €5.70 for up to 2 hours at P4 |
| Official website | Krimmler Wasserfälle |
Krimml Waterfalls tickets are sold at automated machines and the ticket office near the trailhead. If you’re also planning to visit the interactive Krimml WaterWorlds, it’s worth buying the combined ticket at their counter, since this also covers your parking at P4. As for Krimml Waterfalls opening hours, the trail itself never closes between May and late October, while the WaterWorlds and staffed ticket centre keep more limited hours (see the fast facts above).
5 Reasons to Visit the Krimml Falls
- At 380 m, it’s the highest waterfall in Europe and the fifth-highest in the world after the Angel Falls (Venezuela), Yosemite Falls (USA), Sutherland Falls (Nieu Seeland), and Mardalfossen (Norway).
- The falls are in the Hohe Tauern National Park, the largest nature park in the Alps.
- No matter from which direction you approach, you’ll pass stunning natural scenery including views of some of Austria’s highest mountain peaks including the Großvenediger at 3,657 m.
- Researchers from the Paracelsus Private Medical University in Salzburg have found that the spray or mist from the Krimml Waterfalls has a cleansing effect on the lungs.
- There’s nothing like walking up and down a mountain to make you feel alive. Doing that on a forest trail next to a waterfall is even more exhilarating.
The Krimml Waterfalls Hike
Parking Area to Ticket Office
The Krimml Falls parking areas and bus stops are centred around the Gerlos Straße which passes through the village of Krimml-Hochkrimml. From here, it’s a 10 to 15-minute walk to get to the ticket office at the entrance to the waterfall trail.
Insider Tip
You are likely to pass the Krimml Worlds of Water on your way to the falls. This is an attraction, aimed at families, where kids learn about water through fun experiences. However, this is not where to get tickets if you only want to see the waterfalls. We made the mistake to join the people lining up here for tickets until a member of staff helped us right by shouting down the line (which made us think a lot of people make this mistake). You can only buy a ticket for the waterfalls here if it´s in combination with a ticket to the Krimml Worlds of Water.
Bottom Falls
The first stop on the waterfall trail is Kürsinger Platz to view the bottom most of the Krimml Falls with a drop of about 140 m. It only takes about 3 minutes to walk here after turning off from the main trail at Hanke’s Café-Restaurant.
The spray was particularly bad when we visited and there is a real risk of getting soaking wet if you get too close. We had to buy our son a dry T-shirt after he scrambled over the rocks with many other people to see into the waterfall pool. The spray also makes it hard to take clear pictures.
Middle Falls
This part of the trail covers the middle section of the falls from Hanke’s Café-Restaurant to Gasthof Schönangerl where welcome refreshments await.
Depending on how fit you are or how long you stop at the different viewing platforms, it can take you anything from 45 minutes to 1,5 hours to reach Schönangerl. (Also see FAQ below about taking a taxi to the top.)
There are 7 places to stop and take in different views of the falls along this section:
- Riemann Kanzel (1,110 m)
- Regen Kanzel (1,150 m)
- Sendtner Kanzel (1,170 m)
- Jung Kanzel (1,210 m)
- Jaga Sprung (1,220 m)
- Bergersteig (1,245 m)
- Schönangerl (1,306)
Top Falls
The third and last section of the Krimml Waterfalls hike leads to the first and highest drop of 145 m.
The trail from Schönangerl is rather flat initially with pretty views of the Krimml Achen Valley. Once you start to climb again it’s not long before you reach the first viewing platform called Staubige-Reib.
As we were pressed for time and were able to see the top waterfall drop from here, this is also where we turned around. However, you can continue another 20 minutes or so and climb the remaining 130 m to the top of the falls.
Krimml Waterfalls: How to Get There
By Car
The quickest and easiest way to get to the Krimml Falls is by car. This table will give you an idea of the distance and travelling times from some major cities or towns.
| City | Distance | Estimated Travelling Time |
|---|---|---|
| Salzburg | 158 km | 2 h 20 min |
| Innsbruck | 98 km | 1 h 40 min |
| Zell am See | 55 km | 1 hour |
| Munich | 185 km | 2 h 40 min |
| Lienz | 93 km | 1 h 25 |
Salzburg to Krimml Waterfalls
Driving from Salzburg to Krimml Waterfalls takes about 2 hours 20 minutes to cover the 158 km, mostly via the A10 and B311/B165 through the Salzach Valley. There’s no direct train, so if you’re relying on public transport, take a regional train or bus to Zell am See first and continue from there by the Pinzgauer local railway or Bus 670.
Krimml Waterfalls from Innsbruck
Krimml Waterfalls from Innsbruck is a scenic 98 km drive that takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes via the Inntal Autobahn (A12) and the Gerlospass, which does have a toll road section. This route is our favourite for the mountain views alone, though it’s not the fastest way in poor weather over the pass in early spring or late autumn.
Krimml Waterfalls Parking
There are several fee-paying car parks (P1 to P5) dotted along the Gerlos Straße, all within a 10 to 15-minute walk of the lowest waterfall. Parking area P4, right by the Krimml WaterWorlds, charges around €5.70 for up to two hours, then €0.90 for every additional 30 minutes (capped at roughly €24 for the day) — though this fee is waived if you buy the combined WaterWorlds and waterfall trail ticket at their counter. Arrive early in high season, as the car parks fill up quickly on sunny days.
By Train or Bus
Public transport to Krimml is more limiting. The best connections are from Zell am See, from where both a train and a bus goes to Krimml. You can choose between:
- The Pinzgauer local railway – A railway stretch of 53 km following the Salzach Valley between Zell am See and Krimml. Visit their website for the updated timetable and fares.
- Regional Bus 670 – With many stops along the way, this bus takes about 1 h 20 mins to reach the Krimml Falls from Zell am See. Check out the timetable to see if it suits you.
Hotels in Krimml
Because Krimml is a bit out of the way, you may want to consider sleeping in the town before or after visiting the falls. Here are a few options of hotels in Krimml with good reviews:
- Alpengasthof Filzstein – Only 7 km away from the falls and with a bus stop outside, this hotel offers free underground parking, scenic mountain views, and a spa area.
- Nationalparkhotel Klockerhaus – For those who would like to explore more of the Hohe Tauern National Park, this hotel is right at the entrance. Guests get free entrance to the park and the waterfalls.
- Hotel Krimmlerfälle – If you want to be walking distance from the falls, this is the hotel to stay in. After your waterfall hike, you can relax in a heated outdoor pool overlooking the mountains.
Tips for Your Krimml Waterfalls Visit
- There are public toilets to use free of charge at the Krimml Worlds of Water ticket office and at the entrance to the waterfall trail. Once you start walking, the next possibility to use the toilet is at the Gasthof Schönangerl where a small fee is charged if you’re not sitting down to eat or drink anything.
- There’s no getting around that the middle section of the trail is steep in some places. After all, you’ll be gaining about 200 m in elevation. If you’re struggling, my best advice is to rest at each viewing platform. There are also wooden benches along the way to catch your breath.
- The many different parking areas may get confusing. Krimml has several fee-paying car parks (P1 to P5), and P4 by the Krimml WaterWorlds charges around €5.70 for up to two hours, plus €0.90 for every extra 30 minutes (capped at roughly €24 a day). This fee is waived if you buy the combined ticket for the falls and WaterWorlds at their counter.
- Dress sensibly. At least wear comfortable, flat shoes if you don’t have hiking boots or sneakers. Take a spare dry T-shirt if you plan to get close to the spray at the bottom falls (or buy a rain poncho at one of the shops).
- If you want to hike all the way to the top, allow at least 5 hours for a stressless visit. We spent 4 hours at the falls and made it almost to the top, but not quite.
- Take water along for the middle section of the trail. The chances are that you’ll work up a sweat and get thirsty before reaching Schönangerl.
FAQs
Where are the Krimml Waterfalls?
The Krimml Waterfalls are in the Hohe Tauern National Park below the town of Krimml in the Salzburgerland province of Austria. Krimml is close to the borders of Tyrol, while East Tyrol and the Italian province of South Tyrol are on the other side of the mountains behind the waterfalls.
What is the largest waterfall in Europe?
The Rhine Falls in Switzerland is Europe’s largest plain waterfall, but the Krimml Falls in Austria are the biggest in terms of its total height of 380 m. The Rhine Falls are also the most powerful, with an average waterflow of 600 m³ per second in summer. At Krimml, the average high-water volume is 57.3 m³ per second.
Can I take a taxi to the top of the Krimml Falls?
Yes, a taxi service is available if you’re physically unable to do the Krimml Waterfalls hike or are stressed for time. The Hohe Tauern National Park Taxi usually leaves from parking area three at 8:45 and 10:30. The taxi stops at Schönangerl and the top waterfall. According to their website, advanced notification is essential.
Is the Krimml Waterfalls hike suitable for kids or a pushchair?
The lower section up to Kürsinger Platz is paved and manageable with a pushchair, but the middle and upper sections involve a steady, sometimes steep climb on a gravel path that isn’t stroller-friendly. Older kids who can handle a few hours of walking will enjoy it, especially the spray at the bottom falls, but for toddlers or if you’re using a pushchair, plan to turn back after the first viewing area.
When is the best time to visit Krimml Waterfalls?
Late spring and early summer (May–June) bring the highest water volume from melting snow, making the falls at their most dramatic, though this also means more spray on the lower section. Early morning or shortly after opening is your best bet for smaller crowds and better light for photos, especially in July and August when tour buses arrive mid-morning. Since the trail is only open from May to late October, visiting outside this window isn’t an option.
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Wow, I didn’t realise Austria was so spectacular. I’d love to hire a car and visit this waterfall and the ice cave.