Urach Waterfall

The Uracher Wasserfall (Urach Waterfall) near Bad Urach is one of the best-known waterfalls in the Swabian Jura, the limestone upland south of Stuttgart. In the quiet Maisental valley, the Brühlbach stream drops over a mossy ledge of calcareous tufa and then trickles down a slope of green tufa cushions. A short forest walk, free access, and the castle ruin of Hohenurach right next door make it an easy half-day trip from Stuttgart.

Important: The Waterfall Ran Dry in October 2026

After a long, dry summer, local media reported that the waterfall dried up completely in early October 2026, something the local forester called a once-in-a-century event. Whether water returns depends on rainfall. If seeing it flow matters to you, check with the Bad Urach tourist office before you go. In a normal year, the stream carries the most water in spring after snowmelt.

What Makes It Special

• A 37-meter free fall over a jutting nose of tufa.
• About 50 meters of cascades below, spreading out over moss and ferns.
• Rock that is still growing: spring water dissolves lime from the karst and deposits it again as tufa when it emerges, so the ledge keeps building outward until pieces break off.
• The upper meadow, reached by steps on the right-hand side, where the spring itself emerges.

The falls are a protected geotope inside the "Rutschen" nature reserve, part of the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve. Today's single fall was created in the late 19th century, when the many small channels were gathered into one bed. The Romantic poet Eduard Mörike wrote about the spot.

Hiking Options

From the Maisental trailhead parking lot, a forest path brings you to the foot of the falls in about 20 minutes. Popular extensions:

• Loop to Hohenurach Castle ruins: roughly 4 miles (6.4 km) with about 920 feet of climbing, around 2.5 hours.
• Wasserfallsteig: a certified premium trail of roughly 6 miles (9 to 10 km) that adds the Gütersteiner Wasserfall and viewpoints on the plateau.

Wear proper shoes. The steps beside the falls are often wet and slippery.

How to Get There

Bad Urach lies about 45 km (28 miles) southeast of Stuttgart, and Stuttgart Airport is the closest major airport. By train, take a regional train from Stuttgart to Metzingen and change to the Ermstalbahn branch line to the Bad Urach Wasserfall stop. From there it is about 2 km on foot. Regional trains are covered by the Deutschlandticket. By car, follow the B 28 to the "Wasserfall" turnoff and the Maisental parking lot, where a paid ticket is required during the day. In fall 2026, roadwork on the B 28 means the turnoff is reached via a temporary access road (as of October 2026).

Is It Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially in spring or after rain, and combined with a hike. Entry is free and the site is always open. The short approach suits families, and leashed dogs are fine, but the steep steps are not wheelchair accessible. For food, head back into Bad Urach.