Geography Of Krimml
Located around 54km west of Mittersill and Zell am See, Krimml is on the Salzach river in the upper Pinzgau region. Tucked 1,067 m above sea level, this town boasts a lovely surroundings close to the Tyrolean border. Expanding mountain pastures along the Gerlos Pass road from the west and the Krimmler Ache Valley to the south help to define the town’s picturesque surroundings. Part of the Venediger Group subrange in the High Tauern mountain range, the Krimmler Ache Valley stretches to the remarkable Dreiherrnspitze peak, rising 3,499 m. Passage across the Alpine crest into South Tyrol’s Tauferer Ahrntal is made easier by the Birnlücke Pass bridle road.
Among the highest in Europe, Krimml’s famous Krimml Waterfalls, with a total drop of almost 380 m, are a major tourist attraction. Source of the Salzach river: 2,300 m above sea level, north of Krimml.
As of January 1, 2022, the municipal area comprises three localities with respective populations:
- Hochkrimml (41)
- Upper Crimea (538)
- Lower Crimea (258)
Location
Krimml is located near the Tyrol border on the Salzach river, at the southwest rim of the upper (western) Pinzgau region. It is situated 54km (34 mi) west of Mittersill and 54km (34 mi) from the district capital Zell am See. Rising 1,067 m (3,501 ft) above sea level, the center area of the settlement is
Krimml is in the Hohe Tauern National Park, the biggest nature reserve in Central Europe, in the Alpine area of Austria. It is a component of the High Tauern mountain range, which forms the main Alpine chain and the watershed separating the Adriatic from the Black Sea.By bike or foot paths across the Birnlücke Pass, Krimml is also near the Alpine crest—the border separating Austria from Italy.
Krimml is surrounded by several bordering areas both inside Austria and outside of it. To the north it runs alongside the Pinzgau region’s municipalities of Neukirchen am Großvenediger and Wald im Pinzgau. Eastward it runs alongside the Zillertal region’s municipality of Königsleiten, a part of Tyrol. Accessible by the Birnlücke Pass, it borders the Italian province of South Tyrol to the south. To the west it runs alongside the Zillertal region of Tyrol’s municipality of Gerlos.
Depending on the season and the location, Krimml can be accessed by different kind of transportation. It is reachable by car from the Gerlos Pass road (B165), which links the Zillertal area with the Pinzgau region. Train travel will get one from Zell am See to Krimml via the Pinzgauer Lokalbahn, a narrow-gauze railway. One can get by bus from Krimml to Zell am See and Mittersill using the Postbus line 670. Bike access to it comes from the Tauern Cycle Path, which runs from Krimml to Passau along the Salzach river. Several hiking paths, including the Krimmler Tauernweg, which leads to the Birnlücke Pass and the South Tyrolean Ahrntal, let one reach it by foot.
Terrain and Topography
Krimml has very diverse and varied landforms, the land varies from the flat and fertile Salzach river valley to the steep and wild High Tauern Mountains. The altitude difference between the lowest and the highest point in the municipality is about 2,500 m(8,200 ft). The geography consists of three main ecological zones: the floor zone, the alpine zone, and the glacial zone.
Valley Zone
The valley zone represents the area along the Salzach river, which is the place of integration of the main population and infrastructure. The mild and humid climate of the valley zone is one of the typical features of it, with an average annual temperature of about 7 °C (45 °F) and an average annual precipitation of about 1,000 mm (39 in). The valley zone itself is covered with meadows, grasslands, forests, and farmland, in addition to Krimml Waterfalls, which is a very busy tourist spot and a landform, which counts as one of the 12 natural monuments in Europe.
Alpine Zone
The alpine zone is the territory above the vegetation line, which shelters sparse life and is marked by a severe climate. The average annual temperature in the alpine zone is close to 0 °C (32 °F) and the average annual precipitation is around 2,000mm (79in). Alpine zone is mainly comprised of grasslands, heaths, rocks, and snow, also the area is separated from the rest of the place by the Krimmler Ache Valley which is a very scenic and secluded valley that goes through the Birnlücke Pass.
Glacial Zone
Covering the area above the snow line, the glacial zone boasts an ice and snow-dominated scenery. About -10 °C (14 °F) is the average annual temperature of the glacial zone; its average annual precipitation is roughly 3,000 mm (118 in). Along with the Dreiherrnspitze, the highest peak in the municipality and a part of the Venediger Group, glaciers, moraines, crevasses, and icefalls define the glacial zone.
Mountain Ranges
Krimml is located within the High Tauern mountain range, which is the highest and most extensive mountain range in Austria. The High Tauern consists of several subranges, each with its own characteristics and attractions. Krimml belongs to the Venediger Group, which is the second highest subrange of the High Tauern and the most glaciated one. The Venediger Group covers an area of about 1,000 km 2 (390 sq mi) and has about 50 peaks over 3,000 m (9,800 ft). The Venediger Group is named after its highest peak, the Großvenediger, which is 3,666 m (12,028 ft) high and the fourth highest mountain in Austria.
Key Mountain Peaks
Krimml boasts several major mountain peaks with amazing views and difficult ascends. Among the most eminent ones are:
- Dreiherrnspitze: Highest peak in the municipality and part of the Venediger Group is the Dreiherrnspitze. Rising 3,499 m (11,480 ft), it defines Austria’s border from Italy. It is also the tripoint whereby the provinces of Salzburg, Tyrol, and South Tyrol converge. Mountaineers and skiers frequent the Dreiherrnspitze, which one can access from the Krimmler Tauernweg or the Birnlücke Pass.
- Gamsspitzl: Second highest mountain in the municipality and part of the Venediger Group is Gamsspitzl. Rising 3,050 m (10,007 ft), it lies south of the Dreiherrnspitze. Seen from the Krimmler Ache Valley, this peak is clearly pyramid-shaped. A difficult climb, the Gamsspitzl calls for alpine knowledge and tools.
- Schwebenkopf: Third highest peak in the municipality and a part of the Venediger Group is the Schwebenkopf. Laying west of the Dreiherrnspitze, it is 2,980 m (9,777 ft). One can clearly see this prominent peak from the Gerlos Pass road. Relatively simple climbing, the Schwebenkopf provides panoramic views of the nearby mountains.
Valleys and Basins
Krimml boasts many valleys and basins with varied and pleasing scenery. Among the most eminent ones are:
- Krimmler Ache Valley: Main valley of the municipality is the Krimmler Ache Valley, where the Krimmler Ache stream runs from the Birnlücke Pass to the Salzach river. It has an average elevation of 1,500 m (4,900 ft), and is roughly 20km (12 mi) long and 2km (1.2 mi). Having more than 1,000 plant species and 100 bird species, the valley is well-known for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity. A main tourist destination and the highest in Europe, the valley also boasts the Krimml Waterfalls.
- Krimml Basin: At the mouth of the Krimmler Ache Valley, the Krimml Basin is a level, rich region where the Krimmler Ache joins the Salzach river. Having an elevation of 1,000 m (3,300 ft), it is roughly 4km (2.5 mi) long and 3km (1.9 mi) wide. Meadows, pastures, forests, and farms define the basin; also, the administrative and cultural hub of the municipality, Krimml, defines it.
- Krimmler Tauern Valley: The Krimmler Tauern Valley is a side valley of the Krimmler Ache Valley whereby the Krimmler Tauern stream empties from the Krimmler Tauern Pass to the Krimmler Ache. Having an average elevation of 2,000 m (6,600 ft), it is roughly 10km (6.2 mi) long and 1km (0.6 mi) wide. The valley is a picturesque and isolated place where glacial moraines replace alpine grasslands in the flora. Since ancient times, the valley has been a trade route and a pilgrimage path, thus it is also a historical and cultural site.
Geological Features
Various geological characteristics of Krimml expose the history and variety of the rocks and landforms in the vicinity. Among the most eminent ones are:
- Krimml Waterfalls: The erosion of a hard rock bar creating a step in the Krimmler Ache Valley produces the Krimml Waterfalls. The rock bar comprises amphibolite, a metamorphic rock derived from Paleozoic basaltic lava flows. Part of the Subpenninic thrust—a tectonic unit pushed over the gneiss core of the Alps during the Alpine orogeny—the rock bar is Three main stages define the waterfalls: Upper Fall (140 m), Middle Fall (100 m), Lower Fall (140 m). Showing the interaction between water and rock over time, the waterfalls are a geomorphosite and a natural monument.
- Krimmler Kees: The biggest glacier in the municipality and among the ones in the Venediger Group is the Krimmler Kees. It is roughly 17 km 2 (6.6 sq mi) in area and runs roughly 9km (5.6 mi). It supplies the Krimmler Ache stream and lies south of the Krimmler Tauern Pass. Firn, a sort of snow that has been compacted and recrystallized over time, makes up the glacier. Because of gravity and temperature, the glacier is a dynamic landform that moves and alters form. The glacier is also a geomorphosite since it displays how glacial erosion and deposition shape the terrain.
- Emerald Deposit Habachtal: The Emerald Deposit Emerging from a mineral deposit, Habachtal boasts emeralds—a variety of beryl with green hue resulting from traces of chromium and vanadium. It is in the Untersulzbachtal, close to Bramberg village. One of the few sites worldwide where emeralds may be found in pegmatite, a coarse-grained igneous rock created from magma in late stages of the Alpine orogeny. Being a geomorphosite and a geological rarity, the emerald deposit highlights the variety and beauty of the local minerals.
Bodies of Water
Krimml boasts several bodies of water that accentuate the natural beauty and local diversity. Among the most eminent ones are:
- Lakes: Krimml boasts a number of little lakes in the alpine and glacial areas. Either glacial meltwater or stream damming forms them. Their cold, clear water reflects the nearby mountains quite faithfully. Among the most famous lakes are the Krimmler Tauernsee, at the base of the Krimmler Tauern Pass; the Krimmler Keessee, at the edge of the Krimmler Kees glacier; and the Gamsecksee, close by the Gamseck Fall.
- Scenic Views: Krimml boasts several breathtaking panoramas of the mountains, valleys, and waterfalls from which perspective. One may reach them by cable cars or by hiking paths. They feature knowledge boards, benches, and observation platforms. Among the most famous scenic vistas are the Wasserfallblick, which views the Upper Fall and the Middle Fall; the Schönangerblick, which views the Lower Fall and the Krimml Basin; and the Krimmler Tauernblick, which views the Krimmler Ache Valley and the Krimmler Tauern Pass.
- Rivers and Streams: Krimml boasts a variety of rivers and streams that run across the region, so producing dynamic and varied landscapes. The terrain and the temperature affect their sources, courses, and features. They supply habitats for many different plants and animals as well as water and energy. Among the most well-known rivers and streams are the Salzach, the main river of the Pinzgau region, which rises north of Krimml and empties into the Inn; the Krimmler Ache, the main stream of the municipality, which rises from the Krimmler Kees glacier and empties into the Salzach; and the Rainbach, a side stream of the Krimmler Ache, which rises from the Schwebenkopf and empties into the Salzach.
