How to Visit the Dalfazer Wasserfall at the Achensee in Austria

You’ve heard of the Dalfazer Wasserfall – the tallest and most impressive waterfall at the Achensee. But figuring out how to actually visit it? That’s where it helps to know a local tip.

Where does the hike start? Is it steep? Can you combine it with a hike to a mountain hut or a viewpoint?

I’ve been to the Dalfazer Wasserfall three times, and every visit felt like discovering a new side of the Rofan mountains. So, I wrote this hiking guide to make your trip simple and stress-free.

You’ll find everything you need: how to reach the trailhead, what the hike to the waterfall is like, where the best photo spots are, and how to extend the hike if you’re up for more.

Hiking further from the waterfall, there are cozy mountain huts and panoramic views over the Achensee, and if you’re lucky, you can even spot an ibex or a deer.

So if you’re looking for a lesser-known hike in Tyrol with a waterfall, wildlife, and mountain huts, this one’s for you. Let’s dive in.

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How to Get to the Dalfazer Wasserfall Trailhead

The Dalfazer Wasserfall, located near the Achensee in Tyrol, Austria, is only accessible via a hiking trail. The closest parking area is Parkplatz Buchau, close to the lake.

Parking fees:
• €8 for a full day
• €2–6 for short stays (under 4 hours)

Nearest cities: Innsbruck (approx. 40 minutes), Munich (approx. 80 minutes)

From the parking lot, start walking away from the lake, following the yellow trail signs toward the Dalfazer Wasserfall. The signs are well-marked and it`s impossible to miss them.

Hiking to the Dalfazer Wasserfall

This easy-moderate hike is one of the best ways to experience Achensee’s natural wonders.

The walk from Buchau to the Dalfazer Wasserfall takes around 35 to 50 minutes.

Trail details:
• Elevation gain: approx. 250 meters
• Duration: 35-50 minutes
• Distance: about 2.5 km one way
• Trail surface: gravel road or forest footpath

As you leave Buchau, the standard trail offers two options: a wide gravel road or a steeper, shorter, narrow footpath through the forest. As you approach the waterfall, you’ll soon hear the rushing water echoing through the trees.

Alternative route tip:
You can take a more adventurous trail that runs alongside the river. It eventually connects with the main path but requires good footwear and sure-footedness.

Reaching the Dalfazer Wasserfall

After around 40 minutes, the waterfall appears suddenly, surrounded by the forest and rushing down the cliffside.

Best photo spot:
There’s a large rock in front of the waterfall, perfect for photos. The best light conditions are in the late afternoon. Additionally, there is a wooden viewing platform for a wider perspective of the cascade.

I’ve visited this place three times already, and every time, the views and the peaceful vibe make it feel like a hidden gem in the Rofan mountains.

Extend the Hike: From the Waterfall to Dalfaz Alm

After reaching the waterfall, consider extending your hike to the Dalfaz Alm (a mountain hut at 1693m altitude). It’s a scenic trail with a steady incline and rewarding views of the Achensee.

Trail details:
• Duration: 1 hour from the Dalfazer Wasserfall
• Elevation gain: approx. 500 meters
• Trail type: narrow mountain footpath, suitable for dogs and children

The higher you climb, the better the views of Achensee and the surrounding peaks become. In fact, you’ll enjoy the views throughout this entire stretch of the hike.

Arriving at the Dalfaz Alm: It’s open daily until November 2nd. Inside, it’s cozy, and the outdoor terrace offers panoramic views of the lake. Note: payment is cash only.

The Dalfaz Alm serves hearty alpine meals. Try the Kasspressknödelsuppe – cheese dumplings in bone broth, made traditionally with local cheese. It’s simple, but one of the tastiest alpine dishes.

It`s also possible to stay overnight – check the official website of the Dalfaz Alm for details.

Optional Round Trip Routes from Dalfazalm

1st Option:
From the Dalfazalm, you can hike back to the parking lot—optionally making it a round trip via the Buchauer Wasserfall.

In that case, start walking back the same way, then follow the signs to the Buchauer Wasserfall (another, smaller waterfall), making it a round trip.
→ Access the hiking trail.

2nd Option (Our choice):
Or, do the same hike as we did – it was great! On Komoot, this trail is marked as expert level, however, the extension was much easier than the hike from the waterfall until the Dalfazalm.

If you choose this route, start walking away from the mountain hut and follow the signs towards the Erfurter Hütte. (The first yellow sign is very close to the Dalfaz Alm, the trail will be to the right.)

For me, this part of the trail was simply the best: it was easy and felt more like a walk due to the lack of elevation gain.

The path between these two huts takes you through remote alpine areas. We only met 1–2 people, saw ibexes just lying on the ground relaxing, and even spotted a deer. It was amazing to see how undisturbed the wildlife is here.

This route is ideal if you want a full-day hiking adventure with varied terrain, great views, and little to no people.

→ Access the hiking trail. (If you choose this route, walk back to Buchau or your parking spot in Maurach. The map shows a different endpoint.)
→ See the points of interest on the map below.

Where to Stay Around the Achensee

If you stay around Buchau, the best places to stay at are the Haus Zillertal in Buchau and the Rotspitz for Adults Only in Maurach. They have the best locations, close to the Achensee. At the lake, there are several places where you can go for a dip, and there is a summer beach club.

While Buchau is beautiful, in my opinion, the most beautiful place around the Achensee is Pertisau. However, to reach Pertisau, you need to go by car as it is located at the other side of the lake.

So, for postcard-worthy mountain views, stay in Pertisau and visit the Karwendel Mountains.

Helpful Tips for Hiking to Dalfazer Wasserfall

There are no special preparations needed to complete the Dalfazer Wasserfall hike. If you are in a good considition, I highly advise you to complete the same round trip as we did.

For the hike, pack light and have a hat and sunscreen with you for the summer months! For more helpful packing tips, check out this Summer in the Alps Hiking Packing List.

If you hike up to the mountain huts, the weather can get chilly, so make sure you have warm clothing with you.

FAQ-s about the the Dalfazer Wasserfall

Conclusion and Further Hikes Nearby

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful – as always, feel free to reach out if you have any further questions. Happy Hiking!

In the Alps, there are countless great hiking trails, suiting all ages and fitness levels.
However, my secret favourite one is the Zittauer Hütte Hike in the Zillertal Alps.

If you want to see another great mountain lake, consider visiting the Plansee – or you can even consider hiking Bavarian Alps. In Bavaria, in my opinion, hiking to the Schrecksee is one of the best hikes you can do.