The Krimml Falls
One of the greatest attractions in Austria is the Krimml Falls on the western edge of the Hohe Tauern National Park. The Krimml is the biggest waterfall in Europe and ranks in the top eight great waterfalls of the world. It falls a total distance of 380 m (1,246 ft) in three dramatic drops, each of more than 100 m (330 ft), connected by twisting rapids. The incredible thunder of the water as it comes crashing down at the rate of 7 cu m (250 cu ft) per second is truly awesome.
Krimml flows through a narrow wooded valley in the heart of a dramatically beautiful glaciated region of the eastern Alps – there are more than 300 mountains over 3,000 m (9,850 ft) high, and the tallest mountain in Austria, the Grossglockner, at 3,798 m (12,460 ft). A tenth of Hohe Tauern is covered in glacial ice, the mountains are permanently snow-capped, and winter here can last for up to eight months.
The 4 km (2.5 mi) long trail to the top of the falls, the headwaters of the River Salzach, takes you through a dazzling landscape of mountain and forest, which you view through a fine haze of water, sprayed up in great clouds by the force of the Krimml. The path is extremely steep in places and it takes about one and a half hours to complete the entire route. However, it is well worth preserving to reach the viewing point at Bergerblick – you will be rewarded with an amazing sense of achievement and the most superb view.
North Tyrol
The fairytale alpine scenery of North Tyrol is the stuff of picture books – swift mountain rivers tumbling down forested slopes, fertile pastoral valleys dotted with smallholdings and villages, ice-clad peaks and sparkling glacial lakes. This beautiful region is a sports paradise for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, with its panoramic landscapes, pure mountain air and sparkling clean bathing lakes.
Wildspitze, the second tallest mountain in Austria is 3,374 in straightforward, which makes it perfect for ice climbing. There are more than 700 other mountains over 3,000 m (9,840 ft) high, so this is great climbing territory. In winter, there is terrific downhill and cross-country skiing at world famous resorts like Kitzbuhel and St Anton am Arlberg; in the warmer months you can go white water rafting and kayaking, horse riding and mountain biking.
Above all, the scenic beauty of the landscape makes the Tyrol idyllic walking country, with more than 15,000 km (9,375 mi) of trails to roam. You will find walks at all levels of difficulty to match your fitness, and there are numerous mountain huts in which to shelter or spend the night.
The Adlerweg (Eagle Walk) is a 280 km (175 mi) route that wends its way across the Tyrol in 23 sections, with side paths branching off it and easy bypasses of the more precipitous parts. For those in search of peaceful communion with nature there is the St James Pilgrimage trail, with abbeys and monasteries that you can stay in.
Read full article: Natural Wonders of The World: The Krimml Falls and North Tyrol, Austria
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