If you’re drawn to the water from Vienna, Lake Neusiedl is probably the number one destination for many. But if still water is too boring for you , you can also visit one of the many waterfalls in the Vienna area. The Myra Falls near Muggendorf in Lower Austria are particularly popular. You can reach them in just over an hour by car and will be rewarded with a truly breathtaking view once you arrive.
Majestic Myra Falls
The Myra Falls are fed by the seven-kilometer-long Myrabach stream, which originates in the Unterberg. Despite its short length , the stream and the waterfalls long served as a power source for several mills along the watercourse. Eventually, the Austrian Tourist Club campaigned against the use of the Myra Falls for commercial purposes and opened them to the public in August 1885. Today, they are considered a natural monument.
The cascades are located in a gorge that is approximately 600 meters long in total. The elevation difference is 70 meters, with the Myra Falls themselves reaching a total height of 125 meters. Every day, 5,000 cubic meters—or 5 million liters—of water rush down the gorge, from one pool to another.
Even the Austrian aristocracy did not want to miss this majestic natural spectacle. On September 19, 1801, the Holy Roman Emperor Francis II, Empress Maria Theresa, Crown Prince Ferdinand Karl Leopold Josef, and Archduchess Maria Ludovica visited the Myra Falls. A commemorative plaque still stands at the entrance to the gorge, commemorating this distinguished visit.
Over footbridges and steps
Today, via 26 wooden walkways and eight ascents, you can admire the spectacle up close and watch the Myrabach as it plunges step by step down the gorge. The trails are well-maintained and the route isn’t too difficult, but you should still be sure-footed and wear sturdy shoes. Also, the path can get wet and slippery, so be careful on your hike.
The entrance to the gorge is only about 300 meters from Muggendorf, and you can reach it both on foot and by car. At both the upper and lower ends of the Myra Falls, you’ll find restaurants where you can stop and grab a bite to eat. To visit the cascades, you’ll need a ticket, which you can purchase on-site for €7 ; children under 6 pay only €3.
