The Krimml waterfalls are located in the Alps. Innsbruck is closest to them - the distance to this ancient city is about 60 kilometres. The natural phenomenon itself is a powerful cascade of waterfalls on the Krimmler-Ache River, a tributary of the large Salzach River.
The waterfalls are divided into three parts - two of 140 metres in height and one, the central one - 100 metres. It is worth noting that the Krimml waterfalls, whose total height reaches 380 metres, are among the highest in all of Europe. And since they are located in the Alpine mountains, it is not surprising that the uppermost part of the waterfalls is 1470 metres above sea level.
The Krimml Waterfalls were known in the Middle Ages, as this mountain route, now part of the High Tauern National Park, was an important artery connecting the northern part of central Europe with Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. Trade caravans carrying wine and salt passed through here. However, the waterfalls themselves were of no practical importance, and therefore there were no special routes to them. Only in the XVIII century a certain English explorer decided to get to this unique natural phenomenon at his own risk. From that moment the waterfalls began a frenzied growth in popularity.
Already in 1835, the first track, convenient for both tourists and landscape artists, connecting the top of the waterfall with the mountainous region of High Tauern, was arranged. And in 1879 this road was modernised thanks to the intervention of the German and Austrian Mountaineering Society.
Nowadays it is possible to get to the waterfalls on foot, as there are many comfortable, albeit a little steep, hiking trails, but you can also use the narrow-gauge railway that runs through the entire valley of the Salzach River, including past the waterfalls and the picturesque town of Zell am See.
It is worth noting that the Krimml waterfalls are interesting not only because of their magical scenery, but also from a scientific point of view, such as ornithology. More than 60 different species of birds, including some rare ones, live in the vicinity of the waterfalls.
