Leutaschklamm Waterfall

Mittenwald / Garmisch-Partenkirchen District, Bavaria (Bayern), Germany

About Leutaschklamm Waterfall


Hiking Distance: 2km round trip
Suggested Time: 45-60 minutes

Date first visited: 2018-06-27
Date last visited: 2018-06-27

Waterfall Latitude: 47.42738
Waterfall Longitude: 11.2531

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Leutaschklamm Waterfall was at the bottom of the impressive Leutaschklamm Gorge, which was right at the Germany and Austria border near Mittenwald, Germany.

The most interesting part of the Leutaschklamm Gorge was at its very bottom, which included this 23m waterfall, and this required a fee to visit.

Leutaschklamm_047_06272018 - The Leutaschklamm Waterfall
The Leutaschklamm Waterfall

That said, other very nice parts of the gorge featured a high vertigo-inducing series of catwalks as well as a bridge that traversed the deep chasm, and those were free to explore.

Naturally, I did the paid part of the gorge in addition to the free parts of the gorge, which was also called the Leutascher Geisterklamm (or Spirit Gorge).

Overall, if I had just done the waterfall on its own, then this excursion should take no more than an hour.

However, since I extended the visit with the Goblin Trail Loop, I wound up spending almost two hours away from the car.

Leutaschklamm_165_06272018 - The Leutaschklamm Gorge with the context of more waterfalls and cliff-hanging catwalks looking towards the Austria end of the gorge
The Leutaschklamm Gorge with the context of more waterfalls and cliff-hanging catwalks looking towards the Austria end of the gorge

The bad weather also slowed things down a bit during my visit.

Leutaschklamm Trail Description – hiking to the waterfall

From the street parking spaces at the southern end of Mittenwald (see directions below), I walked along the Innsbruckerstrasse across a bridge over the Isar River.

Just on the other side of the bridge, I crossed the road and entered a small alleyway called Am Köberl.

I then followed this gentle and flat path for about 800m as it followed along the Leutascher Ache and revealed a beautiful valley backed by tall mountains and fronted by farms with green pastures.
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Leutaschklamm_036_06272018 - Hiking within the Leutaschklamm Gorge in pursuit of the Leutaschklamm Waterfall
Hiking within the Leutaschklamm Gorge in pursuit of the Leutaschklamm Waterfall

Eventually, I reached a kiosk at the mouth of the Leutaschklamm Gorge, which was just past a trail junction where a separate path steeply climbed towards the elevated catwalks and bridges.

I’ll talk about that other trail that would eventually hook up with the trail coming from the car park on the Austria side via the so-called Geisterklamm (or Spirit Gorge) later in this write-up.

In any case, I went up to the kiosk, paid my 2 euro admission (as of June 2018), and then promptly went up a boardwalk the followed along the contour of the narrow but deep gorge.

After about 200m within the gorge, the boardwalk reached a dead-end right in front of the partially visible Leutaschklamm Waterfall.

Leutaschklamm_070_06272018 - Looking back towards a figurine of Mary in context with the walkway at the base of the Leutaschklamm Gorge near the Leutaschklamm Waterfall
Looking back towards a figurine of Mary in context with the walkway at the base of the Leutaschklamm Gorge near the Leutaschklamm Waterfall

Due to the tight confines of the chasm combined with the reverberating properties of the hard rock walls, the sound of the crashing water was deafening.

This was my turnaround point, and it could have been the end of a short excursion.

However, I opted to extend my visit and do a longer loop hike on the so-called Goblin Trail, which added another 1.9km to the overall excursion.

Leutaschklamm Trail Description – hiking the Goblin Trail Loop

So back at the kiosk, I then took the ascending trail that went up several switchbacks.

Leutaschklamm_104_06272018 - Ascending the Goblin Trail as I made my way to the Wendelspitze suspension bridge above the Leutaschklamm Gorge
Ascending the Goblin Trail as I made my way to the Wendelspitze suspension bridge above the Leutaschklamm Gorge

At each switchback, there was an interpretive sign talking about the gorge and its creation dating back to the previous Ice Ages.

After the steep climb topped out, it eventually descended a series of steps on steel catwalks leading down to a junction right at one end of an impressive bridge spanning the gorge itself.

I could have continued straight and really extend the hike for at least another 3km to check out the Mountain Spirit Gorge Trail.

That would have led to the Leutascher Geisterklamm Kiosk and car park on the Austria side.

Leutaschklamm_139_06272018 - Looking down into the Leutaschklamm Gorge from the bridge traversing its span along the so-called Goblin Trail
Looking down into the Leutaschklamm Gorge from the bridge traversing its span along the so-called Goblin Trail

However, I opted to cross the bridge instead.

At this vantage point, I was able to see more smaller cascades way down in the chasm while also getting teasing glimpses further downstream towards the Karwendelspitze and wall on the opposite side of the valley.

Beyond the bridge, the path ascended a little more before descending down a forested track past a farm.

The rest of the trail ultimately circling back to the mouth of the Leutaschklamm Gorge.

Leutaschklamm_227_06272018 - Racing a menacing thunderstorm as I was heading back to the car after having experienced both the Leutaschklamm Waterfall and Goblin Trails
Racing a menacing thunderstorm as I was heading back to the car after having experienced both the Leutaschklamm Waterfall and Goblin Trails

From there, I wrapped up the excursion along the Am Köberl Road before returning to the Innsbruckerstraße and parking area back on the other side of the Isar River.

Authorities

The Leutaschklamm Waterfall resides next to the town of Mittenwald in the state of Bavaria (Bayern), Germany. It may be administered by the Bavarian government as adjoining the Geisterklamm (Spirit Gorge) may be administered by the Tyrolean government. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you can try visiting the Leutaschklamm website or the Tyrol Tourism website.

Leutaschklamm_003_06272018 - This was the alleyway called Am Köberl, where this religious figurine in the shelter could serve as the landmark letting you know you're in the right place to pursue Leutaschklamm
Leutaschklamm_005_06272018 - Walking along the alleyway called Am Köberl along the Leutascher Ache en route to Leutaschklamm
Leutaschklamm_007_06272018 - Ordinarily, this would be a pleasant stroll along the Leutascher Ache, but it was pouring rain when I started this hike to Leutaschklamm
Leutaschklamm_014_06272018 - Under the pouring rain, it was difficult to take pictures along the way to Leutaschklamm without risking damage due to the amount of water that was falling
Leutaschklamm_017_06272018 - Looking ahead at the wide open valley and the limited shade that I was getting from the pouring rain en route to Leutaschklamm
Leutaschklamm_018_06272018 - Looking across the valley at peaks barely showing up against the thick clouds dumping lots of rain near the mouth of Leutaschklamm
Leutaschklamm_020_06272018 - Approaching the mouth of the Leutashklamm Gorge en route to the walk leading to the waterfall within
Leutaschklamm_079_06272018 - Looking back at the entrance and kiosk at the mouth of the Leutaschklamm Gorge as I was about to do the short 200m walk to the waterfall
Leutaschklamm_025_06272018 - On the wooden walkway leading deeper into the Leutaschklamm in pursuit of the waterfall
Leutaschklamm_029_06272018 - Continuing the short walk within the Leutaschklamm as the walkway was clinging to the cliffs above the Leutascher Ache
Leutaschklamm_031_06272018 - One of the few climbing sections of the walk within the Leutaschklamm Gorge Walk to the waterfall
Leutaschklamm_038_06272018 - Looking back as I continued further along the Leutaschklamm as the wooden walkway clung to the narrow gorge wall while letting the Leutascher Ache rush by below me
Leutaschklamm_041_06272018 - Approaching the Leutaschklamm Waterfall
Leutaschklamm_044_06272018 - This was the Leutaschklamm Waterfall (or at least as much of it as I could see) from the very end of the trail
Leutaschklamm_052_06272018 - Broad look at the Leutaschklamm Waterfall from the end of the trail
Leutaschklamm_058_06272018 - A couple checking out the Leutaschklamm Waterfall at the dead-end
Leutaschklamm_066_06272018 - Other people checking out the Leutaschklamm Waterfall as I was making my way out of the gorge
Leutaschklamm_088_06272018 - Looking back across the valley from the kiosk where I had paid to get into the Leutaschklamm and the waterfall walk
Leutaschklamm_090_06272018 - Back at the mouth of the Leutaschklamm, the weather started to calm down momentarily, which revealed a bit more of the scenic valley that I had walked through earlier
Leutaschklamm_098_06272018 - Infrastructure at the start of the ascending trail up to the Geisterklamm and the Goblin Trail
Leutaschklamm_100_06272018 - Hiking up the switchbacks to get higher up the Goblin Loop Trail and the Geisterklamm Trail connector
Leutaschklamm_110_06272018 - Going up several switchbacks on the Goblin Loop Trail towards the upper reaches of the Leutaschklamm
Leutaschklamm_115_06272018 - Getting passed by these hikers who were making their way up to the upper reaches of the Leutaschklamm
Leutaschklamm_116_06272018 - Continuing along the Goblin Loop Trail towards the upper reaches of the Leutaschklamm
Leutaschklamm_120_06272018 - Passing by this fenced area on the Goblin Loop Trail en route to the Leutaschklamm Gorge's upper reaches
Leutaschklamm_122_06272018 - Another switchback to climb as I pursued the upper reaches of Leutaschklamm
Leutaschklamm_130_06272018 - Starting to see the Wendelspitze bridge as I continued on the Goblin Trail en route to the upper reaches of Leutaschklamm
Leutaschklamm_131_06272018 - Descending these mesh steps towards the Wendelspitze bridge traversing the span of the Leutaschklamm Gorge
Leutaschklamm_134_06272018 - Dramatically descending on the catwalks towards the Wendelspitze bridge spanning the Leutaschklamm Gorge
Leutaschklamm_140_06272018 - The mesh steps definitely tested any sense of a fear of heights above the Leutaschklamm Gorge
Leutaschklamm_145_06272018 - Looking ahead at the Geisterklamm part of the walkway leading towards the Austria side of the Leutaschklamm
Leutaschklamm_147_06272018 - Going across the Wendelspitze Bridge traversing the span of the Leutaschklamm Gorge
Leutaschklamm_152_06272018 - Looking downstream from the Wendelspitze Bridge towards the mountain peaks beyond the mouth of the Leutaschklamm Gorge
Leutaschklamm_154_06272018 - Looking downstream from the bridge spanning the Leutaschklamm Gorge
Leutaschklamm_156_06272018 - Looking upstream from the bridge spanning the Leutaschklamm Gorge
Leutaschklamm_174_06272018 - Looking back at the bridge over the Leutaschklamm Gorge from the other side as I continued the walk to complete the Goblin Loop Trail
Leutaschklamm_175_06272018 - Last look towards the Wendelspitze Bridge as I continued to climb back up out of the Leutaschklamm Gorge
Leutaschklamm_184_06272018 - Looking towards a bunch of rock cairns set up along the Goblin Loop Trail
Leutaschklamm_194_06272018 - Looking over a farm towards some mountains across the valley as I was descending the remainder of the Goblin Loop Trail
Leutaschklamm_197_06272018 - Passing by this farm as I was completing the optional Goblin Loop Trail of the Leutaschklamm
Leutaschklamm_199_06272018 - Contextual look across the farm as I was continuing my descent back into the valley towards the latter part of my Goblin Loop Trail excursion
Leutaschklamm_204_06272018 - As I was about to complete the Goblin Loop Trail, I could see another round of bad weather starting to roll in
Leutaschklamm_205_06272018 - Looking back towards the mouth of the Leutaschklamm Gorge as I had descended back down to the valley
Leutaschklamm_209_06272018 - Menacing clouds starting to overtake the Mittenwald area as I was now in a race to try to get back to the car before getting dumped on
Leutaschklamm_230_06272018 - Back along the Leutascher Ache as I was almost done with my Leutaschklamm excursion with dark clouds looming overhead
Leutaschklamm_238_06272018 - Looking along the Isar River with very dark and menacing-looking clouds ready to really dump its load on the area so I had to return to the car and end my Leutaschklamm adventure before that happened!


The Leutaschklamm Waterfall and Gorge was probably best accessed from the town of Mittenwald, Germany.

Even though there was a more official (and more expensive) car park further up the mountain road on the Austria side, that also extended the walk unnecessarily in my mind.

I’ll describe the directions from the city of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

You can use apps like Google Maps to pick up directions to the city from other towns and cities further away.

So from city center of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, we drove south then east along the B2 (Hauptstraße), and followed this road for about 11km.

Leutaschklamm_237_06272018 - Looking towards the street parking just on the other side of the Isar River, which was the nearest places that I could park to the Leutaschklamm Gorge Walk
Looking towards the street parking just on the other side of the Isar River, which was the nearest places that I could park to the Leutaschklamm Gorge Walk

We then left the B2 for the St2542 at the town of Klais.

We followed the St2542 as it entered the town of Mittenwald, and then we continued past the town center via Schöttkarstraße, which became the Karwendelstraße, and ultimately the Innsbruckerstraße.

Towards the southern end of town, the Innsbruckerstraße crossed a bridge over the Isar River, and we managed to find parking a short distance further.

Overall, this drive took us on the order of 25 minutes.

Leutaschklamm_001_06272018 - We managed to find street parking very close to this arrowed sign for Leutaschklamm
We managed to find street parking very close to this arrowed sign for Leutaschklamm

Alternatively, we could have also parked at the car park on the Austria side.

To get there from where we parked the car as described above, we’d backtrack across the bridge over the Isar River on Innsbruckerstraße.

Then, we’d turn left onto the Leutascherstraße (it was a steeply climbing mountain road on the left as we head north on Innsbruckerstraße).

Next, we’d follow this road for about 3km before reaching the Leutascher Geisterklamm car park on the left.

The parking on the Austria side was pay and display costing 5 euros for the day.

For context, Garmisch-Partenkirchen was about 23km (around a half-hour drive) northeast of Ehrwald, Austria, 59km (about an hour drive) east of Füssen, 64 km (a little over an hour drive) north of Innsbruck, Austria, and 89km (well over an hour drive) south of Munich.

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Semi-circular sweep examining the lone waterfall in Leutaschklamm


Checking out some waterfalls from the suspension bridge high over the Leutaschklamm

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Tagged with: mittenwald, garmisch-partenkirchen, leutasch, spirit gorge, leutascher ache, karwendel, am koberl, germany, waterfall



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