The Reinbach Waterfalls are located in the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park and are a very popular destination, particularly in summer. Fed by meltwater, the Reinbach plunges down the rock faces in three cascades. Our hike takes us to the first waterfall.

Accessibility

From the A22 Brenner motorway, take the Brixen exit and follow the Puster Valley road to Bruneck. Follow the signs into the Ahrntal valley to Kematen near Sand in Taufers, where you can park at the Brugghof inn (reserved parking spaces for people with disabilities and the Sand in Taufers city bus).

Description

From the car park (853 m), we head into the valley towards the Reinbach Waterfalls. The first section of the route follows a small tarmac road (with evening lighting). Passing farmsteads and wide meadows, the walk takes us through the flat Tauferer Boden to a small chapel near the Grill Garten restaurant. From here, a track branches off to the left towards the Sand in Taufers natural swimming pond, which can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot (entrance fees apply). However, we continue straight ahead and follow the signpost to the waterfalls. On a hill on the left side of the valley, we catch sight of the magnificent Taufers Castle, which towers high above the village of Sand in Taufers. We continue our walk and reach the Wasserfallbar (864 m), the actual starting point for the waterfalls (signpost no. 2). At this point, the Franziskusweg also begins at a symbolic wooden arch. This contemplative trail leads from Bad Winkel to the Chapel of St Francis and St Clare. However, we do not follow this footpath, but continue straight ahead along the wide, unpaved forest track through the coniferous forest. After crossing a wooden footbridge, we reach a fork in the path, where we keep to the left and follow the signpost to the first waterfall (12% gradient). With constant ups and downs and gradients of 13%, the path leads us further into the valley along the Reinbach stream. The final stretch up to the waterfall is bumpier and has a steep gradient of 15%. After this short, steep climb, we finally reach the well-deserved viewpoint overlooking this natural spectacle: the water plunges over 10 metres from a rugged cliff into the deep gorge (900 m). For waterfall climbers, the falls present a real challenge even in winter. We return to our starting point via the same route.