Kuhfluchtwasserfälle

Useful Information

Location:	Frickenstraße, 82490 Farchant. (47.527070, 11.137330)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Karst Spring
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided, L=2.6 km, D=90 min.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Tourist-Information Farchant, Am Gern 1, 82490 Farchant, Tel: +49-8821-961696.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

We classified the Kuhfluchtwasserfälle (Kuhflcht Water Falls) as a spring, although it is a series of waterfalls which are actually interesting for tourists because of their height. In fact, the water rises from a karst spring in a rock face, and then plunges 270 m in three falls, making this one of the highest waterfalls in Germany. The catchment area is about 5 km² and the spring flows all year round. After a difference in altitude of over 300 m and a distance of only 2.2 km, the Kuhflucht-Wasser flows into the Loisach near Farchant.

The name Kuhflucht is rather peculiar, it is probably a Latin term that has changed beyond recognition over time: confluctum is the Latin word for confluence, and probably means the mouth of the stream into the Loisach. But there is another theory. In the local dialect, a Kuhflack is the place in the shade where a cow lies down in the summer heat to ruminate. Flacken means to lie down.

A hiking trail leads from the sports centre car park in Farchant across pastures up to the waterfalls. Other possible starting points are the car park at the public swimming pool and the playground. To make the hike more family-friendly, the Walderlebnispfad Farchant (Farchant Forest Experience Trail) was established a few years ago. There is also a playground with a low ropes course. Every hiker can use a Kneipp basin along the path free of charge. Finally, the trail leads into the Kuhfluchtgraben, the gorge that leads to the waterfalls. However, the waterfalls themselves are not reached, the path leads up the left slope in serpentines to a vantage point from which the waterfalls and the karst spring can be seen, besides offering a great view of Farchant. Regardless of the starting point, you should plan about 1.5 hours for the hike.

The hike is easy, but you are walking on alpine paths and there are some exposed sections. Good shoes, a certain level of physical fitness and surefootedness, as well as sun protection and an anorak for rainfall are strongly recommended.