Munich is a great city with many attractions, not least of which is its proximity to nature. Whether mountains, gorges, or lakes, the surrounding area has something for everyone. There are also plenty of waterfalls in the Munich area, offering you a magical experience of nature. If you’ve already checked out the well-known spots like the Josefsthaler or Scheidegger Waterfalls, you should add the following location to your bucket list. The Rottach Waterfalls are a beautiful destination that not everyone knows about and are always worth a visit.
A Natural Gem in the Forest
The Rottach Waterfalls are located between Tegernsee and Spitzingsee in a wooded area near Rottach-Eggern. The Rottach River, which originates in the Mangfall Mountains, plunges down the slope in several stages behind Lake Suttensee before continuing into the Tegernsee Valley. This is how the Rottach Waterfalls—which you can see here—are formed. The cascades create several pools where the water shimmers green to turquoise, inviting you to take a dip.
However, the water is very cold, so only the hardy should venture into the pools. If ice bathing isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the view from the outside. A staircase runs alongside the waterfalls, featuring viewing platforms that allow you to admire them in their entirety. You can also head right to the base of the falls, where the roaring water drowns out your conversations.
How to Get to the Rottach Waterfalls
You can reach the Rottach Waterfalls from the Enterrottach toll road, where there’s also a parking lot. From there, it’s just a 20-minute walk to the cascades, and the trail is well-marked. You can visit them year-round, though you’ll need to be careful in winter when there’s snow on the ground. That’s because the stairs around the Rottach Waterfalls aren’t cleared of snow.
If you still haven’t had your fill of waterfalls after your detour, you can continue on to the Sibli Falls. This 15-meter-high waterfall is also located on the way to Lake Suttensee, which you can visit as well. Although swimming is strictly prohibited there, there’s a beautiful loop trail that takes you around the shore. So you’ll want to cool off beforehand in the pools at the Rottach Waterfalls.
