Malta: Waterfalls, dam and culture

Malta combines impressive natural experiences, an exceptional dam and a piece of cultural history. At 200 metres, Kölnbrein Dam is Austria’s highest dam. There are also paths through gorge and waterfall scenery, striking waterfalls and a St Christopher fresco at Malta parish church. When planning your holiday, it’s worth first considering which of these appeals to you most: a drive along the high alpine road, a nature trail, animals or a glimpse of architectural and artistic history.

Gorge trails and waterfalls

The Malteiner Wasserspiele nature trail leads through the gorge and waterfall scenery of the Hinteres Maltatal valley. The themed trail has 18 stops and ends at the Blauer Tumpf in Schönau. This makes it possible to plan an outing with several stops along the way, rather than focusing on just one waterfall. The Blauer Tumpf can be reached via the Malta Hochalmstraße; road conditions may vary.

The waterfalls also each have their own character. The Melnikfall plunges around 300 metres into the valley over several rocky ledges. At the Fallbach waterfall, the view drops down a cliff face that is almost 200 metres high. Both descriptions bring the scale of the water to life, but in different ways: at the Melnikfall, the tiered rocks shape the impression, while at Fallbach, it is the towering cliff face. Those interested in the landscape will find more than just a single viewpoint to talk about during their holiday.

Take the Malta Hochalmstraße to the dam

The 14.4-kilometre Malta Hochalmstraße is itself a distinctive part of the outing: it winds through rock tunnels carved out of the stone and around hairpin bends, past roaring waterfalls, to Kölnbrein Dam. The succession of tunnels, bends and waterfalls gives the route its own character; at the end, Austria’s highest dam awaits. Keep an eye on road conditions during the drive, as they may vary.

Visitors to Kölnbrein Dam can take a guided tour of the dam. If this tour is part of your holiday plans, it’s best to check its availability before travelling. The dam thus combines a striking structure with a specific visitor experience, while the nature trail and waterfalls offer other focal points.

Animals and culture as further discoveries

More than 100 animals of various breeds live at Eselpark Maltatal. The park is open to visitors and suitable for wheelchair users. Visitors can pet the animals, and adventurous children can try horse riding. This offers a different kind of experience from the trails and waterfalls: here, direct encounters with animals take centre stage. For families looking to accommodate different interests, it’s a specific activity to add alongside the natural and scenic attractions.

Malta parish church also offers its own cultural highlight. It was built between the 13th and 15th centuries. A 14th-century St Christopher fresco can be found on the outside of its south choir wall. The church’s construction period and the fresco refer to different time spans: the building was constructed over several centuries, while the wall painting is attributed to a specific century.

Which experiences should shape your holiday?

When looking for a holiday apartment in Malta, you can base your choice on the kind of stay you have in mind. The dam and high alpine road make a clear focus for anyone interested in a spectacular route and a large-scale structure. The themed trail, by contrast, leads through gorge and waterfall scenery; the donkey park and parish church add animal encounters and culture to the options. These differences can help you plan your days without making a single experience the measure of your entire stay. If you’re travelling with children, petting the animals and the opportunity to try horse riding are activities specifically mentioned.

Discover more destinations: Asten, Mallnitz, Winklern, Döllach, Söbriach, Maltaberg, Aschbach.

Go to the main travel overview: Spittal An Der Drau.