For many people, the appeal of Munich lies in the combination of big-city amenities with immediate proximity to nature. You’ll get the full experience in southeastern Bavaria near Salzburg, where the Berchtesgadener Land region combines mountains, lakes, and waterfalls. Particularly impressive is the Schrainbach Waterfall, which you can admire both from a distance while on the boat and up close during your visit to Hirschau.
An impressive spectacle
If you visit Königssee, a boat ride to the other shore is a must. From Schönau, you can take a boat across the entire lake and disembark in Salet, from where you can hike to the Röthbachfall, Germany’s highest waterfall. On your trip, you’ll pass not only the Echo Wall but also the Schrainbach Waterfall, which you can admire in all its glory from the boat . It measures a total of 360 meters, making it one of the highest in the region.
The water plunges a full 200 meters into the depths and into Lake Königssee, whose emerald-green surface spreads out before you. The water covers the last 80 meters in free fall. You can only witness this spectacle from the boat, while the mountains tower in the background, including the Watzmann. The water of the Schrainbach Falls cascades down the imposing rock faces and carves a path through the surrounding forest. A picture-perfect sight!
The Schrainbach Waterfall up close
On the way to and from Salet, the boats also stop at the Hirschau peninsula, home to the famous St. Bartholomä Church . You can get off here and take a detour before continuing your journey in either direction. In winter, the boats only stop at Hirschau, so unfortunately you won’t be able to enjoy the full view of the Schrainbach Waterfall until the end of April.
However, you can visit it directly by taking a short walk from Hirschau to the waterfall. Most of the route is flat and leads you along the shore of the lake . Then comes a small ascent, which isn’t too steep and winds its way up the mountain in switchbacks. Finally, you’ll arrive at the Schrainbach Falls and can view it up close and look down into the basin where the roaring water lands. If you’d rather skip the boat ride, there are other ways to get close to the Schrainbach Falls, such as on a hike toward Funtensee.
