The tripto catalogue lists 9 waterfalls and gorges – in the Black Forest, the Allgäu and Saxon Switzerland. All are suitable for families, as long as children are sure-footed.
The Triberg Waterfalls are among Germany's best known: the Gutach drops 163 metres through the Black Forest right in the town of Triberg, and the falls are lit up in the evening. The Breitachklamm near Oberstdorf is a rocky gorge up to 150 metres deep with a secured path, and icicles in winter. The All Saints Waterfalls near Oppenau are the largest natural waterfalls in the northern Black Forest, with seven cascades and a ruined monastery above. The Ravenna Gorge in the High Black Forest has a 16-metre waterfall and the Höllentalbahn viaduct, and entry is free. The Lichtenhain Waterfall in the Kirnitzsch valley is "released" over a weir every 30 minutes, and the Starzlach Gorge near Sonthofen is a wild gorge in the Allgäu.
Most waterfalls in the catalogue are in Baden-Württemberg (four, all in the Black Forest and on the Swabian Jura), followed by Bavaria (two) and Saxony (one).
In practice: allow one to three hours. Tickets usually cost €9 (Triberg, Breitachklamm), while the Ravenna Gorge and the Lichtenhain Waterfall are free. Waterfalls carry the most water after rain and during snowmelt. Gorges are wet and slippery – sturdy shoes and a rain jacket help. Some gorges close in winter, but the Breitachklamm stays open.
Waterfalls
Triberg im Schwarzwald
The Triberg Waterfalls in the heart of Germany's Black Forest are among the country's most famous waterfalls. In the small town of Triberg, the Gutach River tumbles a total of 163 meters in a chain of cascades through a steep fir forest, w…
Waterfalls
Oberstdorf
The Breitachklamm near Oberstdorf in Bavaria's Allgäu Alps is one of the most dramatic gorges in the Alps. Over about 1.5 miles (2.5 km), the Breitach River has cut up to 490 feet (150 m) deep into the rock, and a secured walkway leads you…
Waterfalls
Oppenau
The All Saints Waterfalls (Allerheiligen-Wasserfälle) near Oppenau are the largest natural waterfalls in the northern Black Forest. The Grindenbach stream tumbles down seven cascades through a narrow rocky gorge, and a trail of stairs and…
Waterfalls
Breitnau
The Ravenna Gorge (Ravennaschlucht) near Breitnau in the southern Black Forest is one of the region's most beautiful short hikes, framed by a soaring stone railroad viaduct at its entrance. Wooden walkways and stairs lead you past rushing…
Waterfalls
Sebnitz
The Lichtenhain Waterfall in the Kirnitzsch Valley near Sebnitz is one of the oldest visitor attractions in Saxon Switzerland, the sandstone region southeast of Dresden. It is a small cascade with a twist: a weir holds the stream back and…
Waterfalls
Sonthofen
The Starzlachklamm near Sonthofen is a narrow limestone gorge at the foot of the Grünten mountain in the Allgäu region of southern Bavaria. Secured walkways and bridges lead past waterfalls, swirling potholes and steep rock walls packed wi…
Waterfalls
Triberg im Schwarzwald
The Triberg Waterfalls in the heart of Germany's Black Forest are among the country's most famous waterfalls. In the small town of Triberg, the Gutach River tumbles a total of 163 meters in a chain of cascades through a steep fir forest, w…
Waterfalls
Oppenau
The All Saints Waterfalls (Allerheiligen-Wasserfälle) near Oppenau are the largest natural waterfalls in the northern Black Forest. The Grindenbach stream tumbles down seven cascades through a narrow rocky gorge, and a trail of stairs and…
Waterfalls
Oberstdorf
The Breitachklamm near Oberstdorf in Bavaria's Allgäu Alps is one of the most dramatic gorges in the Alps. Over about 1.5 miles (2.5 km), the Breitach River has cut up to 490 feet (150 m) deep into the rock, and a secured walkway leads you…
Waterfalls
Sebnitz
The Lichtenhain Waterfall in the Kirnitzsch Valley near Sebnitz is one of the oldest visitor attractions in Saxon Switzerland, the sandstone region southeast of Dresden. It is a small cascade with a twist: a weir holds the stream back and…
Waterfalls
Breitnau
The Ravenna Gorge (Ravennaschlucht) near Breitnau in the southern Black Forest is one of the region's most beautiful short hikes, framed by a soaring stone railroad viaduct at its entrance. Wooden walkways and stairs lead you past rushing…
Waterfalls
Sonthofen
The Starzlachklamm near Sonthofen is a narrow limestone gorge at the foot of the Grünten mountain in the Allgäu region of southern Bavaria. Secured walkways and bridges lead past waterfalls, swirling potholes and steep rock walls packed wi…
Waterfalls
Todtnau
Above Todtnau, the Stübenbächle stream tumbles from a high valley into the Schönenbach valley with real force: over five steps the water drops a total of 97 m. The second-to-last step alone measures about 60 m, by far the highest single dr…
Waterfalls
Schmalkalden
A waterfall with an on/off switch: the Trusetal Waterfall in Brotterode-Trusetal is not purely natural but was created in 1865. Inspired by the rock scenery, the building officer Specht had the River Truse diverted along an artificial chan…
Waterfalls
Bad Urach
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 calca…
The Triberg Waterfalls in the Black Forest, where the Gutach drops 163 metres in seven stages. Entry costs €9 in summer, and children under 6 go free.
Among others, the Ravenna Gorge, the Lichtenhain Waterfall and the Urach Waterfall. Triberg and the Breitachklamm charge entry.
Yes, the Breitachklamm is open in winter too and is especially impressive with its icicles. Shoes with good grip are a must.
Updated: · Opening hours and prices can change — check the attraction page before you go.