Krimml Waterfalls
The Krimml waterfalls with a total drop of 385 m, the highest waterfalls in Austria. You are on the edge of the village of Krimml (Salzburg), in the Hohe Tauern National Park near the border with Italy. Made it to the Krimml River, which falls down at the end of a hilltop Krimml Achen Valley in three giant steps. The river then flows into the Salzach River, which flows along the direction Salzburg Pinzgau and its confluence with the Inn.
- 2.1 Age Tauernweg
- 2.2 Touristic development
- 2.3 Current path
- 2.4 Number of
- 2.5 hiking
General
Formation
The extraordinary height of fall (the upper, middle and lower Achenfall have a height of 145 m, 100 m and 140 m) results from the geological formation of this mountain region: In the bulge of the central Alps parts from about 30 million years ago, caused by the collision of African and Eurasian plates, the upper Salzach Valley remained. This height difference was reinforced during the Ice Age by a mighty river of ice, the ausschürfte the main valleys deep. That the waterfall levels have remained at this level, explained by the fact that here is a zone of particularly hard rock (granite) to days occurs ( Tauern Window ), on whose side are the waterfalls.
Amount of water
The Krimml River is a typical glacial stream, 12 % of its catchment area of 110.7 km ² are glaciated, this results in a strongly varying water levels during the day and year course. Thus, flow in the months of June and July, about 5.6 m³ / s, whereas only about 00:14 m³ / s in February. The largest outflow was reached during the flood on 25 August 1987, partially up to 166.7 m³ / s, which resulted in massive destruction. The daily maximum runoff occurs 21-24 clock, because the melt water for the replacement of 18 km from the glacier to the cases 9 - takes 12 hours.
Economic use
Of course, the enormous amount of water associated with high head means a correspondingly high level of hydropower and thus to potentially recoverable electrical energy. Already in 1899 for the first time attempted to " deliver the hands of a contractor for factory purposes," the Krimml Waterfalls. However, a realization did not materialize. The main counter-arguments were, firstly, the extreme changes in water quantity, on the other hand the already flourishing tourism. This should fend off in the following years repeatedly greed on the part of the energy industry, to the award of the European nature conservation diploma of Europe such considerations were then in 1967 finally off the table.
Studies of the Paracelsus Medical University showed that water mist can cause by their content of electrically charged particles for the relief of asthma symptoms.
Waterfall
Age Tauernweg
Already in the Middle Ages, there is a footpath along the waterfalls and the Achen Valley over the Krimml Tauern ( 2,633 m ) to Italy. The most important items of trade salt to be transported to the south and wine to the north. The still managed Krimml Tauern house as an important stopping place is first mentioned in 1389.
In the 16th century, the commercial traffic over the Krimml Tauern is obviously so important that a new route is created. The surrounding nature is not interested in the travelers of the time. Accordingly, the Krimml Tauern trail is created: It leads to the waterfalls approach only when it is absolutely necessary by the terrain.
Touristic development
Only in the 18th century start, especially the English - often of scientific interest - to voluntarily go on trips. For the traveler more can see from the Krimml waterfalls without much trouble, can the caregiver of Mittersill, Ignaz von Kürsinger, 1835 build a path to the upper end of the lower Falls, " and there is a tourist and painter house" ( cameras were not widespread). 1879 then built the Pinzgau section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club the Krimml Tauern trail from a Aussichtsweg.
Today's way
The road still exists today, was built in 1901 by the Department warning village. The construction was necessary because in 1897 increased after the construction of Pinzgau Local Railway from Zell am See to Krimml visitor numbers had dramatically (1905: 8,600 visitors). In 1904, the Section began at the Krimml Waterfall with the collection of a toll for the upkeep of the road (1904: 36 Heller, 2004: € 1.50, 2006: € 1.80, 2008: 2 €, 2010: € 2.50). The path now runs close to the waterfall along and winds in narrow and steep switchbacks high. Therefore, visitors should bring some stamina if they want to move up completely the waterfall. Several viewing platforms to offer spectacular views. He now belongs to the section warning village / Krimml of the Austrian Alpine Club.
Number of
Today, the Krimml Waterfalls with an average of 400,000 visitors are one of the major tourist attractions of Austria, which brings in addition to the positive impact on the local economy and problems. These include, firstly, the traffic load, on the other hand the impact and erosion damage in the area of the path.
Hiking
After climbing to the top of the cases along the Waterfall Trail ( about an hour ), there is along the Krimml Achen Tales To forward various options: After two hours we reached the Krimml Tauern House ( 1,631 m). From there you can either the Achental to Warnsdorfer Hut ( 2,336 m, three hours section warning village / Krimml ) continue to follow or turn into Rainbachtal and after three hours, the judge Hut ( 2,374 m, mountain section Friends / Reydt ) reach.
Connection
Currently, the Salzburg bus routes 670 and 671 stop at the nearby bus stop Krimml Waterfalls. In addition to the bus stop and there are countless visitors parking. There are plans on the part of the municipality of Krimml to extend the Pinzgau Local Railway, which still ends in Vorderkrimmel at the moment up to the specified bus stop.