Röthbach Waterfall

Röthbach Waterfall is a waterfall in Berchtesgaden that drops 470 meters down a steep rock face, spreading across a width of 40 meters. The water falls in several stages over bare rock before reaching Lake Obersee at the base.

Mountaineers first measured and documented the waterfall during the 19th century. These measurements confirmed its position as the tallest waterfall in Germany.

The name Röthbach refers to the reddish tint of the rock face, caused by iron-rich minerals in the water. This coloration becomes especially noticeable when sunlight hits the cliff during midday hours.

The route to the waterfall involves a boat trip on Lake Königssee to Salet, followed by a walk around Lake Obersee. The best viewing conditions occur on sunny days between spring and autumn.

The waterfall shows strong seasonal changes in water volume, with snowmelt in May bringing the heaviest flow. By September, the fall often reduces to thin trickles that drip down the rock face.

Location: Berchtesgaden

Elevation above the sea: 860 m

Height: 470 m

Length: 250 m

Width: 40 m

Website: http://umweltatlas.bayern.de/mapapps/resources/reports/geotope/generateBericht.pdf?additionallayerfieldvalue=172R030

GPS coordinates: 47.50194,13.01219

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28