Finsterbach Waterfalls Circuit

A beautiful hike that passes all of the picturesque Finsterbach waterfalls.

The waterfalls are ideal to visit after a period of abundant rain. You must be extra cautious about slipping in these conditions, however the waterfalls will be at their absolute best. You may also be lucky enough to find a few salamanders and see several rainbows surrounding the waterfalls!

Trekking shoes with treaded soles, backpack, rainwear, hiking sticks, drinks, maps, first aid, mobile phone

The hike begins at the Sattendorf Tourist Information Center. From here you cross the main road and follow Dorfstrasse until you reach “Wasserfallweg,” where you turn to the north and begin a light ascent to the Finsterbach mines. Here you will find the first waterfall. After snapping a few photos, you begin a curvier section of the hike by following the stream on the left side. You will reach the second waterfall in only a few minutes! In order to get to the third waterfall you have to get back to the main path. You hike upwards on the main path until you reach a fork, where you follow the signs to “3. Wasserfall.” This takes you into the Finsterbach gorge, where you will subsequently cross a series of small bridges over the creek and reach the foot of the waterfall. After enjoying the biggest waterfall of the hike, you follow the signs to path number 2. This path will be a light descent to the northwest, and you must stay on the path through two more forks. Eventually you will begin walking on a newly-built forest road. After another ascent you will reach a picturesque rest area where you can take a break. After lingering for a while, you take the path back to the first fork in the road after the third waterfall. From there you follow path number 34 back to Sattendorf- with plenty of signs leading you in the right direction.

You take the ÖBB train until the Sattendorf train station. You can reach the Sattendorf city center by foot in a few minutes, where you begin the hike at the elementary school/police station.

Click here for timetable information.

Click here for the Carinthia train station shuttle.

Gorge and gorges are - despite the possible proximity to municipal road networks - to the alpine areas and mountaineering with corresponding alpine dangers. These dangers include:

• self-initiated or externally triggered rockfalls and dangers common in the forest, especially after severe weather events (heavy rain, wind and snow break, branch shedding, etc.) despite annual controls
• danger of falling off the signposted paths or improper use of the infrastructure (bridges)
• danger of slipping in wet conditions and icing
• through fog

In spite of the annual infrastructural and organizational measures, appropriate equipment (see equipment recommendation) and an open eye for objective dangers must be observed.

Please stay on the signposted path!

Parents are responsible for their children!