Josefsthaler Wasserfälle – A Moss-Green Valley and Soft Mountain Light Near Schliersee
Sometimes you don’t need much to disappear into nature for a while. The Josefsthaler Wasserfälle in Bavaria are a perfect example: a short walk through a green valley, the sound of flowing water and moss-covered rocks all around. It may not be a well-known ‘Instagram hotspot’, but it’s exactly the kind of place where calm and simplicity define the atmosphere. And those are the places I am always looking for — spots still largely undiscovered by the crowds.
We visited the waterfalls during our trip through Southern Bavaria, looking for places where you can hike and photograph without too much busyness. What struck us immediately was how sheltered this valley is. Even on a bright day, the light remains soft and diffused.
The drive toward the trail already brought us past the Schliersee. Even from the car, the landscapes were beautiful. The Schliersee was glowing in the soft autumn light.
Location and route
The Josefsthaler Wasserfälle lie between Schliersee and Spitzingsee, close to the small village of Neuhaus/Josefsthal. There are several places to start the walk. One option is at the end of the Josefstaler Straße, where you’ll find an official parking area. Note that the final stretch of the road is for local traffic only. So it’s best to arrive early, take public transport to Neuhaus or park elsewhere and continue on foot. Always respect the local residents and their environment.
We chose to start the walk from the upper side. There is a parking spot along the main road toward Spitzingsee, the Spitzingstraße. The big advantage of this route is that it not only offers a beautiful forest walk but also saves the most impressive part of the waterfalls for last. It’s a lovely hike, well manageable for anyone with reasonable fitness. Do be careful after rain — some sections can be slippery.
Photographing the waterfalls
If you take the route from above, you walk through the forest past smaller cascades before reaching the main attraction. The main fall isn’t extremely high (about 12 metres), but the water flows down in layers over rocks thickly covered in moss, creating a soft, almost fairytale-like atmosphere.
If you start from the lower side, don’t turn around too early — above the first fall you’ll find several more cascades.
This is the kind of place where you want to take your time. I used longer shutter speeds to give the water that silky texture. Thanks to the shaded light you can easily do this even during the day without harsh contrasts. The darker rocks and moss retain beautiful detail. A polarising filter works wonders here — it removes reflections from wet surfaces and deepens the greens of the moss.
Invest in a good polariser and, if possible, a set of ND filters if you enjoy photographing waterfalls. I use a magnetic filter system from Kase, which makes switching filters very quick and easy.
What I loved about this place is how it offers both wide, dramatic compositions and delicate close-ups. You can shoot a broad scene with the stream as a leading line, or zoom in on water flowing over strands of moss. The surroundings invite you to slow down and build your composition with care.
Hiking and nature experience
The shorter route from the lower side follows the Hachelbach and crosses the water several times via small wooden bridges. Along the stream you’ll find boulders where you can sit and listen to the sound of the water.
The route we chose is a bit longer but still very manageable. If you want to extend your hike, you can combine the waterfalls with a loop toward the Stockeralm, or even continue into the Spitzingsee region. But even as a short trip, this is a wonderful place. It gives you plenty of time to take photos, find a good spot and enjoy a cup of coffee you brought along.
If you’re looking for a bit more of a challenge, the area offers many beautiful routes. One example is the hike below, which not only takes you past the waterfalls but also around the Spitzingsee.
Stay and surroundings
We used the area around Schliersee as our base — more specifically, the village of Hausham, where we stayed at the cosy Ferienwohnung Übernberg. A great stay with very friendly hosts. It’s a wonderful region to spend a few days: close to the lake, yet also right at the edge of the mountains. The mix of forests, valleys and small villages makes it a peaceful place to explore. Southern Germany is a beautiful region — especially in autumn, when we visited. Highly recommended.
In Neuhaus and around Schliersee you’ll find small cafés and Gasthofs for lunch or a coffee after the hike. It may not be a culinary destination, but that simple, local character is exactly what we enjoy. People are exceptionally welcoming here.
Best time to visit
You can visit these waterfalls all year round. In spring the valley is bright green and the stream carries a lot of water; in autumn the warm tones and soft light create a very atmospheric scene. Summer is likely busier due to the accessibility — it’s a popular short hike. We visited in October for the autumn colours, and it was wonderfully quiet with plenty of colour everywhere.
In conclusion
The Josefsthaler Wasserfälle aren’t a place you visit to tick something off a list — you come here because it simply feels good to be in such a quiet corner of nature. A short walk, beautiful water, moss, silence. Perfect as a peaceful break during a trip through Bavaria, or as a small photo walk when you’re not in the mood for big mountain routes.
Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at my other mountain and forest walks in the Alpine region, or browse my photobooks in the shop.
Location on the map
Pictures say more than words:
Extra information:
- Practical info Josefsthaler Wasserfälle – josefsthaler-wasserfaelle.de
- Tegernsee–Schliersee Tourism – tegernsee-schliersee.de
- Hiking info Servus Schliersee – servus-schliersee.de
- Komoot highlight – komoot.com