Stuibenfaellle Circular Hike - Blog Reutte Nature Park Region

The Stuiben Falls are a beautiful local recreation area in the Reutte Nature Park Region and always worth a visit for me. Picturesque, shimmering waterfalls and turquoise-blue pools carved into steep rock faces - for centuries, the Stuiben Falls have carried the water from the Lake Plansee down the valley towards Reutte.

All paths and bridges were completely renovated last year, and from July onwards there is even the opportunity to access part of the Stuiben Falls by wheelchair.

The early bird catches the worm

The morning sun wakes me on this Sunday morning. Over the past few weeks, the weather has felt more like April than May. That makes it all the more delightful to know that a beautiful day filled with sunshine is waiting for me today.

Regina Kleinhans

It’s 08:30 and still a little cool as I start my hike at the Stuiben Falls parking area near the substation of the Elektrizitätswerke Reutte power company. After just a few steps, the Stuibenfälle come into view. I cross the first bridge and then begin my ascent along the Ministersteig.

Step by step, I climb up to an elevation of around 1,000 metres. Gradually, the view opens up over the valley basin. The forest is quiet, the fresh air invigorating, and only birdsong accompanies me on this morning hike. The most strenuous part is already behind me, and the trail now continues at a gentler incline.

After a short while, I sit down on a bench to enjoy the view. The sun is now warming my face, and the panorama over Reutte and the surrounding villages delights me time and again. I continue along the path, climbing a small set of steps until I reach a narrow suspension bridge. It almost feels like a miniature version of the highline179.

I pause briefly on the bridge and look down into the gorge, where a small mountain stream flows beneath me into the valley. I then continue on to the dam, where the water of the Lake Plansee is held back before cascading down the Stuiben Falls into the valley below.

Lake Plansee

Lake Plansee is Tyrol’s second-largest lake, covering almost three square kilometres of water surface. In summer, visitors can swim, dive, fish, sail, or take a relaxing boat trip. Together, lake Plansee and the Stuiben Falls supply our region with electricity generated from hydropower.

My hike now continues back along the Hermannsteig. Winding through the forest, the trail descends in gentle switchbacks to the Kanzel viewing platform. From here, there’s a fantastic view of the large waterfall. In summer, the Stuiben Falls are also an ideal place to join a guided canyoning tour.

I continue hiking down into the valley and then follow the river along a flat path until I reach the small bridges once again. The little waterfalls and turquoise pools are a true natural spectacle. Eventually, I return to my car—already looking forward to a leisurely Sunday breakfast.

The Stuiben Fallsare a beautiful local recreation area in the Reutte Nature Park Region and always worth a visit for me. All paths and bridges were fully renovated last year, and from July onwards it is even possible to explore part of the Stuiben Falls by wheelchair.

You can also view my hike on our interactive map or download the GPX track. If you’d like a first impression of the Stuiben Falls, you can also watch the video.