Good to know:
Distance: 12 km
Rate: easy
Altitude: between 1044 - 1576 meters (start is at 1044 m)
Map (incl. elevation information): Walk to the Stuibenfall (Austria)
GPS-track available for download: yes
The track starts at Otzi-dorf, which one can visit as well (we did not as we had seen the real Otzi in a museum in Bolzano). The water stream is rather small here and you would not expect that there is a huge waterfall nearby. Finally there is a glimpse of a waterfall ......mmmhhh....not that huge, is our first thought.
Until ......you walk further towards the base of the waterfall and upon turning to the waterfall itself, you will understand why this is the highest waterfall of Tyrol.
If you look closely to the next picture you can spot a viewing platform on the left, all the way at the top. That is where we have to go.
(Remember: all pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them)
The track takes you to 5 platforms from which you can watch the waterfall from nearby. You can almost touch the waterfall. The sound of the water is enormous and above all you will get a free shower now and then. But it is all worth it.
Slowly we follow the track upwards and finally arrive at the top. Here a bridge will guide you to yet another platform, which provides a view from the top to the bottom of the Stuibenfall.
You can spot the two platforms where we have taken some of the previous pictures.
As we still had plenty of time we opted to continue our walk to Niederthai. Along the track there are wild flowerbeds and scenic views and even much more to discover.
On arrival in Niederthai the weather worsened and we decided to return to our car. But upon descending via a paved road the sun came out (yes, weather is one of the most unreliable factors in the mountains) so we left that road as quickly as possible and ended up on the Alter Fahrweg which goes all the way down to Umhausen.
Of course you could also decide to go back via the platforms again and thus returning the way you came but then you would miss some nice views and this beautiful painted house in Umhausen.
We hope you did enjoy the pictures !