Attractions & Landmarks In Krimml
Renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and captivating attractions, Krimml is in the Salzburg area of Austria. One of the highest waterfalls in Europe, the Krimml Falls calls attention with their striking height. Comprising three tiers, the falls reach an astounding height of 380 meters. From May to October, the 4-km Wasserfallweg trail presents adventurous souls with the chance to savor amazing panoramic views of the Hohe Tauern National Park. Engaging exhibits, a movie, a playground, and a café at the WasserWelten visitor center accentuates this experience.
Near the Italian border, at an amazing height of 2,329 meters, Zittauer Hütte is a mountain refuge. Easily reachable from Krimml via the Richterhütte or Warnsdorferhütte paths, this location is a climbing and hiking paradise. From mid-June until late September, Zittauer Hütte is open and offers breathtaking views of the glaciers of the Zillertal Alps.
Tucked at 1,640 meters, Gletscherblickalm Hochkrimml is a little alpine haven. Perfect for savoring real Austrian cuisine and enjoying amazing views of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and the surrounding mountains, this spot is open all year. The guesthouse gives visitors a whole alpine experience with twelve rooms and a sauna.
Dedated to Saint James the Greater, the patron saint of pilgrims, the parish church of Krimml, known as Pfarrkirche zum hl, is From the 15th century, the church exhibits a Gothic architectural style. The rich historical value of the church is enhanced by its baroque altar, wooden pulpit, and striking Last Judgment fresco found inside. Renowned people including physicist Victor Franz Hess and painter Michael Ostendorf reside in the church grounds’ cemetery.
Krimml Waterfalls
Rising a total of 385 meters, the Krimml Waterfalls, which lie on the outskirts of Krimml in Austria’s Salzburg region, hold the title of tallest waterfalls in the nation. Nestled within the Hohe Tauern National Park, these falls—which cascade in three stages at the lower end of the Krimmler Achental—ultimately help to shape the Salzach River.
The remarkable height of the falls depends on the geological composition of the area, especially the presence of rather hard rock (granite) known as the Tauern window. The falls’ unusual step structure—145 m, 100 m, and 140 m in the upper, middle, and lower sections, respectively—finds its source in the elevated upper Salzach valley during the Alpine uplift some 30 million years ago. The height preservation results from the resilience of the Tauern window as well as from the impact of the Ice Age, which profoundly carved major valleys.
Driven by scientific curiosity, a rise in voluntary travel in the 18th century saw English exploration of the globe progressively. Ignaz von Kürsinger, Mittersill’s caretaker, made a trailblazing move around 1835 building a road leading to the top of the lower fall alongside a house for visitors and artists. This project sought to give visitors a handy vantage point from which to take in the falls—a luxury rare at the time. In 1879 the Krimmler Tauernweg developed into a panoramic path, improving the experience for guests even more.
The Krimml Waterfalls draw almost 400,000 visitors a year, which has a major effect on the local economy even if they cause traffic and erosion problems. Separated into lower, middle, and highest falls with unique qualities, the waterfalls create an amazing show. While the middle waterfall, falling 100 m, provides a resting place at the Schoenangerl restaurant, the lower waterfall, with a 140 m drop, is readily reachable. Towering at 145 m, the highest waterfall offers a stunning view and marks the entry to the Krimml Achental Valley.
Krimmler Tauernhaus
Rising 1622 m above sea level in the Krimmler Achental, the Austrian Tauernhaus known as Krimmler Tauernhaus is proudly over 600 years old. This historical inn has been quite important as a stopover for visitors along the transalpine mule track linking Krimml, Austria, with Kasern in South Tyrol, Italy.
Having origins in 1389, the Tauernhaus is recorded as an inn or “taberna” since 1437. The original 16th-century wooden construction has seen several renovations and expansions, so conserving its oldest room in Oberpinzgau with different inscriptions.
Acting as a fiefdom formally connected to a farm, the Tauernhaus historically fed and housed guests, generally for free. Among its duties were keeping the Tauernweg, a vital trade route for goods including salt, wine, brandy, and iron, open for pack horses. Working with the “Ahrntaler Tauernhaus” (now Berghotel Kasern), a special cooperation involved the trade of tools for immigrants on route.
The historical importance of the Tauernweg spans the Roman Empire, where legions from the province of Noricum served. It became a substitute path during wars throughout the Middle Ages; famous people like Emperor Charles IV negotiated its difficult path in 1340.
Thanks to its ideal conditions, farmers from the Tyrolean Ahrntal area sought rich pastures in the Krimmler Achental during the 19th century. Driven cows over the Krimmler Tauern during the summer is still a custom today.
The Krimmler Tauern first became well-known in 1947 during the escape of Jewish Holocaust survivors made possible by the Brichah organisation. Through the American occupation zone straight bordering Italy, this path let the survivors reach Palestine. The Jewish Agency posthumously honored humanitarian aider Liesl Geisler, who helped Jewish emigrants under persecution. Her extraordinary contributions
2016 saw a structural expansion meant to satisfy growing demand by adding more cozy rooms with private bathrooms. Apart from that, a little hydroelectric power plant built in 2011 uses the steep gradient of the Rainbach before merging with the Krimmler Ache.
Krimmler Tauern
Rising boldly in the Zillertal Alps at 2634 meters, Krimmler Tauern is a vital mountain pass linking Salzburg and South Tyrol. It defines the border between Italy and Austria since the Treaty of Saint-Germain in 1920, so acting as the crossroads of the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park and the Hohe Tauern National Park.
Nestled on the main Alpine ridge, the Krimmler Tauern connects the Windbachtal and the Krimmler Achental, a side valley in the rearmost Oberpinzgau, with also the valley head of the Ahrntal. Separating the Salzach and Ahr catchment areas and creating a watershed between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, the river running through is absolutely vital.
Prominent peaks flank the pass from the east with the Tauernkogel (2872 m) and from the west with the Schütttalkopf (2773 m). Though in modern terms the Birnlücke, located 4 kilometers to the east, is acknowledged as the current boundary between the Zillertal Alps and the Venetian Group of the Hohe Tauern; historically the Krimmler Tauern is known.
Currently used mostly by mountain bikers and hikers, the Krimmler Tauern draws outdoor enthusiasts to discover the breathtaking scenery and difficult terrain. The pass is still a vital component of the alpine scene even if its geopolitical importance has changed over time; it invites travelers to follow its ancient paths and enjoy the natural beauty all around.
Birnlücke
Rising 2665 meters, the Birnlücke—also known as Forcella del Picco—earned their nickname as the “fork of the summit.” Tucked at the westernmost point of the Hohe Tauern, this high mountain pass is essential for crossing the Venice Group from the Zillertal Alps. Connecting Salzburg and South Tyrol, Krimmler Achental, and Ahrntal as well as the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park and the Hohe Tauern National Park, it defines the border between Italy and Austria since the Treaty of Saint-Germain in 1920.
Before the Schengen Agreement in 1998 relaxed border restrictions, occasional inspections marked the Austrian-Italian border and the Krimmler Tauern crossing. Built in 1900, the Birnlückenhütte, 2441 meters above sea level, adds a charming appeal to the mountainous terrain by slightly southward orientation.
The name “Birnlücke,” or “Pyrlücke” in 1888, comes from the former Pirra name of the Ahr river. King Arnolf recorded this nomenclature in 893 and carried it through until the 18th century. Italian name “Forcella del Picco,” first surfaced in the 20th century.
Geographically speaking, the Birnlücke—a few kilometers west of the Krimmler Tauern on the Zillertal main ridge—connects two valleys and has historical importance going back Stone Age. Rich ore in the area changed the significance of local passes from the Middle Ages to the early modern era, a status that faded maybe due to declining ore prices post the discovery of America and the retreat of the tree line.
Emperor Charles IV chose the Birnlücke as his path to Italy in 1365, so marking the Birnlücke into European history when other paths were blocked. Linking areas and civilizations over the alpine expanse, the historical account of the Birnlücke is evidence of its central importance in connectivity, trade, and travel.
Plattenkogel
Rising prominently at 2039 meters above sea level, the Plattenkogel—also known as Gerlosplatte—became well-known as a popular mountain in the Zillertal Alps. Rising in the Austrian state of Salzburg, the Hochkönig—known for its strong travel scene—has been a natural monument since 1933.
Located east of the Durlassboden reservoir, south of the Gerlos Pass, and west of the Salzach Valley, the Plattenkogel lies close to the towns of Königsleiten and Krimml. One of the main attractions of the Zillertal Arena, the mountain offers easy ski lifts for visitors’ enjoyment as well as a large network of hiking paths.
Beginning in 1933, the Plattenkogel’s summit area is among the oldest protected objects in the Salzburg province under natural monument designation. Restricted direct lift access results from a circular protected area with a 150-meter radius covering the summit. This preventive action guarantees the natural integrity of the mountain to be preserved.
Different protected biotopes found in the Plattenkogel and its immediate surroundings add to the area’s biological diversity. Among these comprise dwarf shrub heath, rust sedge grassland, and alpine rose stocks. This ecological variety emphasizes the importance of the Plattenkogel not only as a leisure area but also as a habitat for endangered plant species, so promoting environmental protection in the Austrian alpine scene.
Gerlos Pass
Serving as a vital road link between Oberpinzgau in Salzburg and the Zillertal in Tyrol, the Gerlos Pass—also known as the Pinzgau Heights—is The pass rises 1531 meters above sea level with its west ramp connecting Zell am Ziller to Gerlos. Branching into two directions, the east ramp comprises the Gerlos Alpenstraße and the old pass road heading to Wald im Pinzgau. Originally rising to 1628 meters above sea level, the Gerlos Alpenstraße continues across Krimml and reaches Wald im Pinzgau.
The Gerlos Pass marks the highest point for the Gerlos Alpine Road with two altitude indications: 1628 meters above sea level for the shared pass and 1531 meters above sea level. The choice of route depends mostly on the lower altitude, hence the alternative Gerlos Alpenstraße with better elevation is preferred.
Designed for riding aficionados, both Gerlos Alpenstraße and the old pass road draw racing and touring cyclists. While the Gerlos Alpenstraße challenges more with more vertical meters to conquer, the old pass road, known for less traffic, presents steeper inclines. Popular among cyclists, the Gerlos Pass is often selected for cycle events; the new pass road is the preferred path because of its greater capacity. Starting from Wald im Pinzgau, the Gerlos Pass notably took front stage in events including the Deutschland Tour 2008 (1st stage) and the Giro d’Italia 2009 (6th stage).
Wildgerlostal valley
Nestled between Salzburg and Tyrol in the vicinity of the Krimml Waterfall village, the beautiful high valley known as Wildgerlostal presents a wealth of activities. This alpine paradise features breathtaking scenery, pure spring water captured by the Durlassboden Reservoir, and a panoramic mountain view mostly dominated by the Reichenspitzgruppe.
Anglers find Durlassboden Lake to be a top spot because of its great environment for this outdoor activity. In addition, the valley appeals to mountain bikers with an alpine road following the picturesque lines of Durlassboden lake, meandering over perfect alpine pastures, and ending at the friendly Finkau inn. For those looking for a taste of alpine peace and adventure, Wildgerlostal is a seductive and multifarious place because of its natural beauty and leisure possibilities.
