Bavaria can rightly be proud of its natural beauty. Munich is surrounded by stunning mountains that are ideal for hiking in summer and skiing in winter. If you travel a little further, you will find breathtaking views in the Alps andcrystal-clear lakes. But waterfalls are also part of our state’s natural attractions. The Buchenegger Waterfalls are a special tip. They are protected as an official Bavarian geotope and are part of the so-called Weißach Gorge.
A slightly different postcard motif in the Allgäu
Photo: Shutterstock
At first glance, the Buchenegger Waterfalls seem almost unreal. The turquoise-green water and high cliffs are reminiscent of a distant travel destination, but this excursion destination is actually located in the middle of the Allgäu. It takes about two hours to get there from Munich.
Here, the water of the Weißach river plunges over two enormous rock steps made of Nagelfluh rock into deep, emerald green pools. Many visitors think there is only one large waterfall. In fact, there are two steps. From the first, the water shoots through a relatively narrow rock channel and plunges about 10 meters. The second step is the one you see on postcards: here, the water falls another 8 meters into the round pool. Most people’s gaze is fixed on the lower step, but looking down on the cascading water from above is almost even more impressive.
The pools of the waterfalls: emerald green natural pools
Photo: Shutterstock
The natural pools at the foot of the waterfalls are legendary. They are called ” Gumpen ” and are a popular – but ice-cold – place to swim on hot days. The water there is crystal clear, but due to the depth and algae on the rocks, it appears deep emerald green to turquoise. This is also associated with a special tradition: “Gumpenjucken” (pool jumping). Locals and daredevils jump from the rocks into the deep pools. But caution is advised: there have been serious accidents there, as the depth of the water and the current make jumping extremely dangerous.
A hike is much safer and just as adventurous. The descent to the falls is steep! It leads down from Buchenegg in a zigzag pattern. On wet days (and it is almost always wet in the gorge), the ground becomes slippery. However, there are wire ropes to hold on to. In addition, the path has recently been extensively renovated, so you can climb down safely.
Once you reach the bottom of the gorge, you’ll experience a real “wow” moment: you step out of the dense forest and hear the thundering masses of water – the Buchenegger waterfalls are a wild natural spectacle in the middle of Bavaria.