Raggaschlucht Waterfalls

Flattach, Carinthia (Karnten), Austria

About Raggaschlucht Waterfalls


Hiking Distance: 2.5km round trip
Suggested Time: about 60-90 minutes

Date first visited: 2018-07-13
Date last visited: 2018-07-13

Waterfall Latitude: 46.9238
Waterfall Longitude: 13.14062

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Raggaschlucht Waterfalls were a series of waterfalls nestled within the popular Raggaschlucht Gorge.

While there were several smaller chutes and cascades squeezed into the depths of the gorge, the last (or uppermost) of the waterfalls was by far the most impressive.

Raggaschlucht_192_07132018 - The main waterfall in the Ragaschlucht Gorge
The main waterfall in the Ragaschlucht Gorge

It featured a classical-looking columnar drop of about 20-25m in height.

The remaining waterfalls were smaller though they crashed and tumbled within the gorge itself further adding to the turbulent ambience of the gorge experience.

Formation of the Raggaschlucht Gorge

The gorge’s formation was the result of tectonic forces as the European Continental Plate subducted under the East Alpine Plate.

This created the mountains and associated gorges and gullies that cut even deeper into the joints or faults in the plates already in existence.

Raggaschlucht_019_07132018 - The rugged mountains surrounding the Mölltal Valley hint at the violent tectonic forces that ultimately gave rise to the Raggaschlucht Gorge
The rugged mountains surrounding the Mölltal Valley hint at the violent tectonic forces that ultimately gave rise to the Raggaschlucht Gorge

It’s said that the gorge was in the early stages of a transformation into a valley.

Eventually, over millions of years, it too, would ultimately become a V-shaped valley much like other mature valleys in mountainous places all throughout Austria.

The Raggaschulcht Gorge Experience

As far as gorge walks were concerned, it was similar to other gorge walks throughout Austria and in parts of Bavaria in Southern Germany.

Basically, such gorges were in otherwise inaccessible canyons, but they were now made accessible by wooden walks with steps clinging onto the rock walls of the gorge.

Raggaschlucht_054_07132018 - The cliff-hugging trail within the tight confines of the Ragaschlucht Gorge
The cliff-hugging trail within the tight confines of the Ragaschlucht Gorge

Thus, you’d get this deafening effect of rushing water loudly reverberating between the narrow canyon walls.

Meanwhile, you’d also get so tantalizingly close to the dangerous rush of the stream right beneath the feet.

In the case of Raggaschlucht, it was said to be 800m long with an elevation gain of 200m.

The hike was done one-way in a clockwise manner, which was a wise choice of traffic control considering how narrow the walkways were.

Raggaschlucht_137_07132018 - Context of the boardwalk hugging cliffs above intermediate waterfalls within in the Ragaschlucht Gorge
Context of the boardwalk hugging cliffs above intermediate waterfalls within in the Ragaschlucht Gorge

It would also be difficult (and pointless) for people to be going down the gorge from the top down instead of slowly going up from the bottom.

Overall, I managed to do this loop hike in around 90 minutes time (about 75 minutes on the loop part of the hike itself), which was more than the 60 minutes recommended time.

Since my GPS wasn’t working well while in the confines of the gorge, I estimated that the overall distance covered by this hike was on the order of 2.5km round trip (using the car park as the starting point).

Raggaschulcht Trail Description

The excursion started with a short hike through a small village before ascending towards a kiosk at about 400m from the car park (see directions below).

Raggaschlucht_024_07132018 - Approaching the entrance kiosk for the Ragaschlucht Gorge, which was to the left of this fork. The return trail along a steep slope was coming down from the right of the fork
Approaching the entrance kiosk for the Ragaschlucht Gorge, which was to the left of this fork. The return trail along a steep slope was coming down from the right of the fork

As of my July 2018 visit, I paid 7 euros to get in (open from 9am to 5pm during peak Summer seaon).

Immediately thereafter, I then promptly passed through the turnstile and continued on into the gorge walk.

Indeed, the path started off a little on the gentle side as it skirted the gorge flanked by some foliage as well as some little water channels along the gorge wall.

But soon it reached a wooden walkway that went through an entrance door and immediately into the narrow depths of the Raggaschlucht Gorge.

Raggaschlucht_044_07132018 - Approaching the door at the mouth of the Ragaschlucht Gorge. Note the giant boulder wedged above
Approaching the door at the mouth of the Ragaschlucht Gorge. Note the giant boulder wedged above

For pretty much the entire walk, the path would overhang above the Ragga River down below.

Meanwhile, the footpath climbed up a combination of ramps and steps all the while with cascades and chutes roaring beneath.

When I did this hike at midday, there were moments of looking against the sun, which also created harsh shadows.

That made photography difficult due to the sharp contrast between light and dark zones in the field of view.

Raggaschlucht_126_07132018 - Continuing along the boardwalk alongside the intermediate cascades tumbling within the Ragaschlucht Gorge
Continuing along the boardwalk alongside the intermediate cascades tumbling within the Ragaschlucht Gorge

Some parts of the canyon were narrow enough to hold onto rocks wedged by the gorge’s width.

Other parts of the gorge had circular shapes due to whirlpools and eddies drilling into the surrounding cliffs.

Eventually towards the end of the 800m length of the hike, I encountered a final climb alongside a cascade then passing before the big waterfall finale at the end.

The rest of the Raggaschlucht portion of the hike went up switchbacking stairs providing higher views of the waterfall opposite the head of the gorge.

Raggaschlucht_175_07132018 - The big waterfall finale at the end of the Raggaschlucht Gorge part of the excursion
The big waterfall finale at the end of the Raggaschlucht Gorge part of the excursion

Once I made it to the top, I was able to get a sweeping view across the Mölltal Valley before descending down a steep forest path.

It was a good thing I was wearing hiking boots with good traction because it was easy to lose traction on the steep slopes during this descent.

Authorities

The Ragaschlucht Waterfalls reside near the town of Flattach in the state of Carinthia (Kärnten), Austria. It may be administered by the Flattach government. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you can try visiting their website.

Raggaschlucht_016_07132018 - Taking advantage of some of the shade for temporary relief from the hot midday sun as I was making my way up to the entrance for the Raggaschlucht Gorge
Raggaschlucht_017_07132018 - Passing by some attractive buildings in the village along the way to the Raggaschlucht Gorge
Raggaschlucht_021_07132018 - At a fork in the trail within the village, where the path to the Raggaschlucht continued to the left while the cafe and other parts of the village was on the right
Raggaschlucht_026_07132018 - Approaching the kassa (cashier) for the Raggaschlucht Gorge after around 400-500m of walking from the car park
Raggaschlucht_029_07132018 - Beyond the entrance kiosk, the trail then continued along this forested path towards the mouth of the Raggaschlucht Gorge
Raggaschlucht_031_07132018 - Well after the kiosk, the path meandered along this boardwalk at the foot of the Raggaschlucht Gorge
Raggaschlucht_042_07132018 - Once I got past that door up ahead at the mouth of the gorge, the Raggaschlucht Trail became quite a bit steeper and more interesting
Raggaschlucht_058_07132018 - Some parts of the Raggaschlucht Gorge (even at the mouth of the gorge as shown here) were so narrow that even rocks that have fallen wound up wedged within the narrowness of the canyon itself!
Raggaschlucht_060_07132018 - Looking down at one of the intermediate waterfalls beneath the boardwalk within the Raggaschlucht Gorge
Raggaschlucht_063_07132018 - Looking back along the cliff-hugging boardwalk within the Raggaschlucht Gorge
Raggaschlucht_066_07132018 - Looking down beneath the Raggaschlucht Trail towards a hidden waterfall deep within the gorge
Raggaschlucht_068_07132018 - Looking down at a twisting part of the Ragga River rushing and falling its way further downstream eventually to the Mölltal Valley
Raggaschlucht_069_07132018 - Context of the elevated boardwalk above the base of the Raggaschlucht Gorge where the Ragga River rushed loudly as it continued to cut the gorge even more deeply
Raggaschlucht_077_07132018 - One of the more attractive series of waterfalls beneath the Raggaschlucht Gorge Trail as I was past the half-way point of the climb
Raggaschlucht_083_07132018 - Looking ahead towards another waterfall further upstream in the Raggaschlucht Gorge
Raggaschlucht_086_07132018 - Continuing up along the Raggaschlucht Gorge Trail as it was approaching the next interesting series of cascades crashing within the gorge
Raggaschlucht_095_07132018 - Following this guy making a steep ascent up along the Raggaschlucht Trail as it continued to climb up towards the gorge's head
Raggaschlucht_097_07132018 - Climbing higher up the Raggaschlucht Gorge as I was going up steeper steps as the trail was going above one waterfall after another
Raggaschlucht_113_07132018 - Looking down at another waterfall squeezing its way between narrow sections of the Raggaschlucht Gorge as seen during the steep climb to the head of the gorge
Raggaschlucht_118_07132018 - This was one of the wider sections of the Raggaschlucht Gorge Trail though the midday sun was wreaking havoc on the lighting
Raggaschlucht_122_07132018 - Another stretch of waterfalls within the Raggaschlucht Gorge tumbling beneath a bridge as the trail was about to hug the other side of the gorge wall
Raggaschlucht_131_07132018 - Context of more of the Raggaschlucht Gorge Trail as it clung to one side of the canyon wall before crossing a bridge and clinging to the other side of the canyon wall
Raggaschlucht_135_07132018 - Crossing over the bridge and continuing on the other side of the Raggaschlucht Gorge wall with more cascades coming into view
Raggaschlucht_146_07132018 - Continuing along the dramatic Raggaschlucht Gorge Trail as it continued to climb towards the shallower head of the gorge
Raggaschlucht_151_07132018 - Approaching another cascade near the head of the Raggaschlucht Gorge as the scenery started to open up
Raggaschlucht_153_07132018 - Looking back towards the cliff-hugging trail as I was nearing the head of the Raggaschlucht Gorge
Raggaschlucht_167_07132018 - Contextual look down alongside yet another cascade within the Raggaschlucht Gorge as I was nearing the end of the dramatic part of the gorge
Raggaschlucht_169_07132018 - Context of the Raggaschlucht Waterfall finale as it was finally starting to come into view
Raggaschlucht_172_07132018 - Finally a full view of the main Raggaschlucht Waterfall at the very head of the Raggaschlucht Gorge
Raggaschlucht_176_07132018 - Direct look at the full height of the main Raggaschlucht Waterfall
Raggaschlucht_195_07132018 - Elevated view of the Raggaschlucht Waterfall finale as I was nearing the top of the final climb
Raggaschlucht_199_07132018 - Partial view back towards the top of the Raggaschlucht Waterfall as the trail climbed well above the head of the Raggaschlucht Gorge
Raggaschlucht_202_07132018 - Beyond witnessing the Raggaschlucht Waterfall at the end, the trail continued to climb
Raggaschlucht_204_07132018 - The last bit of ascent before finally being out of the Raggaschlucht Gorge and onto the start of the forest trail descent back down to the kassa (cashier) by the entrance of the Raggaschlucht Gorge entrance
Raggaschlucht_211_07132018 - Looking in the distance towards attractive mountains fronted by some small pasture plots clinging to the mountainsides as seen from the forest trail descent after having already gone up the Raggaschlucht Gorge
Raggaschlucht_216_07132018 - Looking back at the overlook at the apex of the Raggaschlucht Gorge loop hike
Raggaschlucht_219_07132018 - Last glimpses of the mountains surrounding the Mölltal before I descended into the woods and eventually to the small village downstream of the Raggaschlucht Gorge
Raggaschlucht_226_07132018 - Someone was busy setting up these decorative rock cairns on a couple of boulders besides the forest trail descending back to the Raggaschlucht Gorge car park and neighboring village
Raggaschlucht_230_07132018 - Finally approaching the village to end the Raggaschlucht Gorge excursion
Raggaschlucht_232_07132018 - Tahia running around the playground at the village while I was busy hiking up the Raggaschlucht Gorge on my own
Raggaschlucht_234_07132018 - After my late lunch and rejoining Julie and Tahia, it was time to walk back through the village buildings and eventually return to the car park to end the Raggaschlucht Gorge adventure


Getting to the Raggaschlucht Waterfalls let alone the gorge itself in the extensive Mölltal Valley (whose headwaters was at the Pasterze Glacier by the Grossglockner Peak) was pretty straightforward.

We’ll describe the directions coming from the east in Millstatt as well as coming from the west in Lienz.

Driving from Millstatt to Raggaschlucht

From Millstatt, we drove west on the B98 for about 8km to the A10 autobahn ramp heading west (keeping left at the fork).

We then followed this freeway to its end in another 5km or so as it then continued heading west on the B100 for almost the next 4km.

The road then kept right to go onto the B106 Road within the Mölltal Valley.

We then persisted on the B106 for about 24km before making a sharp left turn at the well-signed turnoff for the Raggaschlucht Gorge.

Raggaschlucht_001_07132018 - The wide and grassy car park for the Raggaschlucht Gorge right in the middle of the Mölltal Valley
The wide and grassy car park for the Raggaschlucht Gorge right in the middle of the Mölltal Valley

This was about 5km west of the junction with the B105 at Obervellach.

We then took the local road down the ramp and towards the grassy car park, which was very hot and exposed to the sun due to the lack of shade.

Overall, this drive took us about 45 minutes.

Driving from Lienz to Raggaschlucht

Coming from the other direction in Lienz, we’d drive east on the B107 for about 15km.

Then, we’d turn right onto the B106 going east into the Mölltal Valley.

Raggaschlucht_002_07132018 - Looking back towards the road entrance for the car park for the Ragaschlucht Gorge
Looking back towards the road entrance for the car park for the Ragaschlucht Gorge

Finally, we continued about another 25km along the B106 before turning right into the ramp and well-signed turnoff for the Raggaschlucht car park.

Overall this drive took us about 45 minutes as well.

For geographical context, Millstatt was 85km (about an hour drive) west of Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, 75km (about an hour drive) east of Lienz, 99km (well over an hour drive) south of Sankt Johann im Pongau, and 151km (about 2 hours drive) southeast of Zell am See.

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Video showing the Raggaschlucht Trail as well as some lower cascades below it


Video showcasing another pair of attractive intermediate cascades beneath the Raggaschlucht Trail


Video showing some intermediate waterfalls beneath the Raggaschlucht Trail


Long video showing the cascades and the Raggaschlucht Trail leading up to the waterfall finale

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Tagged with: flattach, raggaschlucht, austria, gorge, waterfalls, carinthia, karnten card, molltal



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Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
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