Hiking is arguably one of the most popular hobbies among Munich residents. And the city on the Isar is the perfect starting point for this, since a day trip is enough to reach many beautiful destinations, even those outside of Upper Bavaria. If you’re planning another trip to the Allgäu soon, you should stop by the Zipfelsbach Waterfall. It accompanies you a good distance up the mountain, so you can really enjoy the stunning cascades.
A hike along the waterfall
As the name suggests, the Zipfelsbach Waterfall is the Zipfelsbach stream, which plunges a total of 300 meters down the mountain. It flows over several tiers of falls, some of which form pools ranging from green to turquoise. You can already see the lower part of the falls from down in Hinterstein, which is the best place to start your hike. In 15 to 20 minutes, you’ll reach the lower Zipfelsbach Waterfalls and can marvel at them up close.
From here, the trail continues uphill, becoming steep in places. You should therefore have a certain level of basic fitness, but the hike is still quite manageable. The Zipfelsbach Waterfall accompanies you as you gain elevation and repeatedly gives you reason to pause and enjoy the view. At times it ripples gently over the rocks; at others, it plunges thunderously down the mountain in free fall . Especially after heavy rains or the snowmelt, a great deal of water rushes through the cascades. At one point, a bridge leads you directly over the falls, allowing you to view this force of nature both in front of you and below you.
Along the Zipfelsbach Waterfall to the Alpe
Once you’ve finally climbed the mountain, you can reward yourself with a visit to the Zipfelsalpe. This farm is surrounded by alpine meadows in the midst of lush greenery and exudes a rural idyll. The owners, Bernadette and Max, keep 200 animals up here. Here you can refuel with a snack or some coffee and cake —all homemade, of course.
Once you’ve regained your strength, head back down to Hinterstein, where you can wrap up the day with a dip in the Prinz Gumpe. This natural swimming spot is fed by the Zipfelsbach and owes its name to Prince Regent Luitpold. He enjoyed bathing in the pools of the Zipfelsbach Waterfall during his hunting trips. While taking a dip in the Prinz Gumpe, you, too, can feel a bit like a prince or princess and enjoy the view of the Allgäu Alps.
