Get out of the heat: Here you can finally cool off: These are the most spectacular waterfalls in Europe
Tired of the heat? Then head to places where the temperatures are guaranteed to be much more pleasant. We present Europe's most spectacular waterfalls – some of them are insider tips that are very close by.
- In Norway, the Vøringsfossen waterfall has been observed from a platform since July 2017.
- At around 78 meters high, the Veliki Slap in the Plitvice Lakes National Park is the largest waterfall in Croatia.
- In Austria, vacationers can enjoy the healing properties of the Krimml Waterfalls.
How can you kill four birds with one stone? You hike through a beautiful mountain landscape to a waterfall. This is how you get healthy exercise, experiences in the mountains, escape from the summer heat and can take a refreshing bath with a massage function. Not to forget the meditative effect of the rushing and foaming water, which creates a feeling of inner calm. We introduce five must-see waterfalls in Europe.
1. Norway: Vøringsfossen can now be seen with no mortal danger
Waterfall paradise Norway: In the mountainous country in Scandinavia, one superlative follows the other, because holidaymakers will find the three highest waterfalls in Europe here: Vinnufoss with 860 meters in Sunndal, Kjelfoss with 840 meters in Nærøyfjord and Ramnefjellsfoss with 818 meters Stryn. The country in the far north of Europe also has the most water: 700 cubic meters of water flow through the Laksforsen in central Norway every second.
The latest highlight, however, is the 183-meter-high Vøringsfoss near Eidfjord in western Norway. Many tourists may know him as one of the most beautiful and popular in the country – but only from the pictures. Because until recently, Vøringsfoss was difficult to access and could not be seen in all its glory. That has changed with the new viewing platform – since July, even those who are not tired of life have been able to observe and photograph the gigantic masses of water that plunge down from the Hardangervidda plateau into the valley.
- Tip: The hike takes around 1.5 hours there and back. Parking is available at the top tunnel exit on the road from Oslo to Bergen (RV 7).
2. Croatia: Winnetous waterfalls near Plitvice Lakes
On the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the hilly karst region in the middle of Croatia, the Plitvice Lakes National Park extends with its 16 lakes and even more waterfalls. Not only brown bears love this wild and romantic environment, Winnetou also felt at home – this is where Karl May's legendary adventure novel “Schatz im Silbersee” was filmed.
The most spectacular waterfall can be reached from the entrance of the Unesco World Natural Heritage Park in the direction of Lake Galovac. The path leads past numerous small cascades to the “Veliki Slap”, which means something like the “Great Waterfall”. At around 78 meters, the Veliki Slap is also the largest waterfall in Croatia. It lies in the lowest area of the turquoise-colored lakes and its roaring and gurgling can be heard from afar.
- Tip: The sun shines on the lakes until the early afternoon and makes them shine in Caribbean turquoise tones. These bright, radiant colors disappear when the sun slowly disappears behind the mountains in the late afternoon.
3. Austria: Krimml waterfalls and their healing effects on allergy sufferers
Natural spectacle, natural remedies and one of Austria's ten most popular sights at the same time: In Hochkrimml, in the Hohe Tauern National Park in the Salzburg region, Austria's largest waterfalls not only take their breath away, but also enable people with health problems to breathe freely again.
Because the exceptionally fine spray mist of the most impressive falls in the Alps is attested that its tiny and negatively charged water droplets alleviate the symptoms of allergy sufferers and asthmatics. But the waterfalls not only have an effect on the body, but also on the mind, because they are located in a natural mountain landscape.
The Krimmler Ache plunges 380 meters down over three waterfall steps. The natural wonder can be comfortably observed from viewing platforms at different heights.
- Tip: Those who continue hiking through the high valley to the 600-year-old Krimmler Tauernhaus after the highest waterfall level will enjoy a great view of the surrounding three-thousand-meter peaks.
4. Iceland: View from behind through Seljalandsfoss
The sun's rays flash through the slowly falling water, white spray rises into the air with fine droplets and forms a veil of water in front of your face – you experience this when you look through a waterfall from behind. In Iceland, the land of geysers, hot springs and countless waterfalls, this is possible.
"Foss" means something like waterfall. The Seljalandsfoss is located in the south of the island and, with its depth of 66 meters, is one of the most beautiful on our planet. As difficult as its name may sound, everyone knows the origin of Seljalandsfoss: It is fed by the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, whose ash-rich eruptions in 2010 paralyzed air traffic over northern and central Europe.
Wandering explorers and adventurers can walk along the rocks behind the waterfall and look out over the vastness of Iceland through the huge veil of water. In the evening at the blue hour, the colors of the water shine so intensely that the surroundings look like a fairytale landscape.
- Tip: If you want to enjoy the beautiful surroundings for longer, you can settle down on a small campsite right next to the Seljalandsfoss waterfall.
5. Germany: Insider tip Kuhflucht waterfalls in deepest Bavaria
The competition for water features in the area around Garmisch-Partenkirchen is great. The Partnachklamm and Höllentalklamm, not far from the highest mountain in the republic, are among the most famous excursion destinations. But very few people know about the Kuhflucht waterfalls in the Estergebirge.
With a total drop of around 270 meters, the three cow escape falls are among the highest in Germany. Their funny name is probably derived from cows that like to spend the summer there in the shade.
The water of the majestic natural spectacle comes from a plateau between the Bavarian mountains Krottenkopf and Simetsberg, where it rises from several karst springs.
- Tip: Park the car in Farchant at the parking lot by the swimming pool or Trachtenheim and hike in less than an hour on the forest adventure trail to the lower cow escape falls. Those who are sure-footed and want to go further up can reach the platform on the upper falls after another hour – with a view of Garmisch and the Zugspitze.