Urach Waterfall

Bad Urach / Swabian Alb / Reutlingen District, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

About Urach Waterfall

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Urach Waterfall was one of those attractive limestone type waterfalls with that mossy, weeping characteristic which we tend to see a lot of back in the coastal regions of California.

That kind of made it more unique amongst the 50+ waterfalls we had visited in our trip to Germany and Austria in 2018.

Bad_Urach_Waterfall_065_06232018 - The Urach Waterfall
The Urach Waterfall

In terms of its characteristics, this waterfall was where the Bruhlbach (Brühlbach) was said to plunge 37m.

Then, the creek took its time cascading an additional 50m in cumulative height over a limestone surface full of long grass-like growth and moss.

And while this waterfall in the limestone-rich Swabian Alb was beautiful, it seemed like this excursion was very popular with German families.

After all, I had seen many of them bring toddlers along for this family-friendly experience as it seemed like it was easy to get in the creek throughout the walk.

Bad_Urach_Waterfall_080_06232018 - The wide trail to the Urach Waterfall went alongside the Bruhlbach Creek as well as a wide open pasture. Note the castle ruin at the top of the hill in the distance suggesting that there are other activities in the Bad Urach area
The wide trail to the Urach Waterfall went alongside the Bruhlbach Creek as well as a wide open pasture. Note the castle ruin at the top of the hill in the distance suggesting that there are other activities in the Bad Urach area

Indeed, even when I was done with my hike, the family had lunch at the Maisentalstüble, which was a reasonably-priced lunch spot and beer garden by the car park.

And given its close proximity to Bad Urach (bad means bath in German), it wasn’t surprising to see a spa area as well.

Indeed, there was quite the diversity of activities on offer here.

So it was little wonder why the Urach Waterfall was as popular as it was (even though it seemed like we were one of the few foreign tourists that were here).

Bad_Urach_Waterfall_097_06232018 - Tahia enjoying herself in one of the apparati by the Maisentalstüble at the Urach Waterfall Trailhead
Tahia enjoying herself in one of the apparati by the Maisentalstüble at the Urach Waterfall Trailhead

Finally, for some nomenclature semantics, I’ve seen this waterfall referred to as the Uracher Waterfall as well as the Bad Urach Waterfall.

In German, it seems to be most commonly referred to as der Wasserfall Bad Urach, Uracher Wasserfall, Bad Urach Wasserfall, or Urach Wasserfall.

Urach Waterfall Trail Description

From the huge car park (P23) in near the spa in Maisental Valley (see directions below), I followed a very flat and wide trail.

It went alongside the Bruhbach Creek off to the east side of the broad pastures of the valley.

Bad_Urach_Waterfall_019_06232018 - The easy and flat Urach Waterfall Trail followed alongside the Bruhlbach, which was used extensively by kids and by kids at heart for cooling off
The easy and flat Urach Waterfall Trail followed alongside the Bruhlbach, which was used extensively by kids and by kids at heart for cooling off

Given the calm nature of the creek, there were plenty of spots along the trail where people (especially the kids) would play in the water.

The flat terrain allowed multiple generations of people to enjoy the experience.

After around 1km, I finally started to see the Urach Waterfall in the distance towering over the hikers at its base.

The flat stretch of hiking persisted for another 300m more or so before reaching the base of steps that then climbed alongside the limestone slope of the waterfall.

Bad_Urach_Waterfall_035_06232018 - Approaching the towering Urach Waterfall as the trail was starting to reach the head of the Maisental Valley
Approaching the towering Urach Waterfall as the trail was starting to reach the head of the Maisental Valley

After another 200m or so of going up the steps, I reached a couple of ledges yielding closer views of the main plunge of the Urach Waterfall.

This included one spot where I noticed people scramble to almost get behind that main drop.

The trail continued to climb up towards the top of the waterfall where there was apparently a meadow and a cafe.

I didn’t go up there, however, as I was content with the waterfall experience, and then returned the way I came.

Bad_Urach_Waterfall_050_06232018 - Looking up at the Urach Waterfall before ascending the steps towards its base and beyond
Looking up at the Urach Waterfall before ascending the steps towards its base and beyond

Altogether, my GPS logs suggested that this was a 4km round trip hike, and it took me around 90 minutes to do it.

However, I’d bet it would take at least 2 hours at a more leisurely pace while allowing for a little more exploration.

This excursion would take most of the day if had I done the entire 10km Wasserfallsteig loop hike that would have also encompassed the Gütersteiner Waterfall in addition to the Urach Waterfall.

It was about 4.3km from the base of the Urach Waterfall to the Gütersteiner Waterfall according to the signage.

Authorities

The Urach Waterfall resides near the town of Bad Urach in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. It may be administered by the Bad Urach government. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you may try visiting their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual members. See Membership Options.
Content is for members. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: bad urach, black forest, schwarzwald, germany, waterfall, swabian alb, swabia, maisen valley, bruhlbach, swabian alps, schwabische alb, limestone



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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

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.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.