Waterfalls are plentiful in Bavaria. If you enjoy the sight of cascading water and can’t get enough of the roaring sound, there are numerous possible destinations for a day trip from Munich. Particularly popular are the Josefsthaler Waterfalls on Schliersee or the Röthbachfall on Königssee, which is the highest in all of Germany. If the crowds of other hikers and tourists who also visit these spots put you off, then you should definitely check out the Kuhflucht Falls near Garmisch-Patenkirchen. These are far less well-known, but no less impressive.
Waterfall over three tiers
The Kuhflucht Waterfalls are located above the town of Farchant near Garmisch-Patenkirchen and are fed by the Kuhflucht Spring of the same name, which rises from the Kuhflucht Trench. The name Kuhflucht likely originates from the Romans and is derived from “confluctum,” which describes the confluence with the Loisach River. Another theory, however, suggests that the name actually refers to cows. These are said to have grazed in the area and, in the summer, to have “hung out” in the shade of the trees—that is, to have lain down. “Kuhflack” eventually became “Kuhflucht.”
The waterfalls themselves cascade down three tiers and have a total height of 270 meters. This makes the Kuhflucht Falls among the highest in Germany, similar to the Schrainbach Falls at Königssee. Every second, 1,500 liters of water plunge down the cascades into the basin, from where it flows into the Loisach and then into Lake Kochel.
Kuhflucht Waterfalls: An Educational Hike
To visit the Kuhflucht Falls, it’s best to start from Farchant. From here, a roughly one-hour hike leads you to the cascades, which you gradually ascend via several bridges. Along the way, there are various vantage points from which you can marvel at the Kuhflucht Falls.
If a simple hike is too boring for you and you’d like to learn something new, combine your visit to the geotope with a walk along the nearby forest nature trail. At 18 interactive stations, you can learn more about the forest and nature. This trail is particularly well-suited for an outing with children. You’ll also find a barefoot trail and a Kneipp facility near the Kuhflucht Waterfalls.
