The first European Water Trail snakes in the surroundings of the Umbal Waterfalls in the High Tauern National Park
Image gallery: Umbal Waterfalls Water Trail
Branching off at Matrei in Osttirol towards Prägraten am Grossvenediger, at the head of the Virgental valley you come across a special highlight: the Umbal Waterfalls. In this area, the Isel river is still called Umbal, and transports water of the Umbal Glacier, making it cascade over the rocks. As the water comes from the glacier, the water level fluctuates basing on daytime and season.
The walk starts at the parking space in Ströden (subject to charge), which is also the bus terminal station. From this parking lot you proceed to the Pebell and Islitz Mountain Huts (1,513 m a.s.l.). Afterwards, the Umbal Waterfalls Water Trail (Wasserschaupfad Umbalfälle) provides interesting information on the waterfalls on 14 information panels. It was inaugurated in 1976.
At the end of the trail in the High Tauern National Park, there is a stone bridge and a hunter's hut in the rocks, afterwards you walk back to the starting point. The entire European Water Trail can be walked in 1 - 2 hours, and includes 130 m of altitude difference and several platforms. We highly recommend you to wear sturdy shoes, as you come close to the waterfall!
Contact info
- Umbal Valley - 9974 - Prägraten am Grossvenediger
- +43 50 212530
- praegraten@osttirol.com
Opening times
Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.
Admission
Umbal Waterfalls Water Trail: free admission
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Ströden parking space for a fee (1 hour to the trail)
Hinterbichl parking space for free (2 hours to the trail)
More information
The Water Trail is accessible from the end of May resp. early June to the end of September. The opening of the trail depends on the weather, short-term changes or closures are possible.
Horse-drawn carriages are available at the Ströden parking space. For further details and reservations please call +43 664 9353952. Season start 2025 the end of May resp. in early June.
