Trefflingfall

The Trefflingfall is a waterfall in a gorge in the municipality of Puchenstuben in Lower Austria. It is one of the longest waterfalls in the province, formed by the Trefflingbach, a small tributary of the Erlauf. The stream rises at the foot of the 1,246-metre Turmkogel and the waterfall lies within the Ötscher-Tormäuer nature park, which lists it among its attractions. Its name comes from the Slavic word *Trěbцnikъ, meaning a river flowing through cleared land. The gorge itself is about 280 metres long, with a total drop of roughly 100 metres divided into several cascades, each no higher than 20 metres. After the final cascade the stream joins the Erlauf. The gorge runs from northeast to southwest over limestone bedrock, and a well-maintained footpath leads through it. The entrance is reached on foot, 2,000 metres east of the parking area on the side road from Gaming and 1,600 metres southwest of the road from Puchenstuben. The path was opened in 1897 by the Scheibbs Mountain Club. Visitors follow a clear trail that takes them past the cascades and through the gorge. The route is popular with walkers and leads to the point where the Trefflingbach meets the Erlauf. The surrounding nature park offers further walks such as the Trefflingfall-Hochbärneck and the Puchenstuben-Trefflingfall-Wienerbruck-Puchenstuben loop.