Ludwigfall

The Ludwigfall is a 60-metre waterfall above the village of Lunz am See in Lower Austria. It links the Obersee to the Mittersee and was named after Archduke Ludwig. The water comes from the Obersee and drops sharply into the Mittersee below. In spring and early summer, when snow melts, the fall is at its most powerful. By high summer, especially during long heatwaves, the flow weakens noticeably. The route starts in Lunz am See and follows the Lunzer See shoreline. Well-made forest and logging tracks climb past the Mittersee to the Obersee, passing the Ludwigfall along the way. The climb gains about 500 metres in height but is manageable for casual walkers with basic gear. From the Obersee, experienced hikers can continue over the Herrenalm meadow to the summit of the Dürrenstein. The trail then crosses the Ybbstaler Alps to the Ybbstaler Hütte and, the next day, returns via the Wolfsklamm gorge and the Lechnergraben back to Lunz am See. Visitors find the Ludwigfall best seen from several viewpoints along the track. The Obersee offers a calm foreground above the cascading water. The surrounding forests belong to the Northern Limestone Alps and are rich in spruce and beech. The nearby Lunzer See and Mittersee add reflections and cool air to the walk. The whole route is part of the Drei-Seen-Tour, a circular trail around the three lakes.