Rindbach: Waterfall, Cave Trails and Lake Traunsee

Rindbach combines waterside and rocky landscapes with trails leading to viewpoints and historic sites. The Rindbach Waterfall, the Gassl stalactite cave and the shore of Lake Traunsee each offer a different focus. When planning, it is worth distinguishing the walking times to the destinations from the duration of a cave tour.

Waterfall and Rindbach Gorge

The Rindbach Waterfall cascades down several tiers: in places as small falls, and in others as water flowing over the rock. The gorge and waterfall formed when meltwater, after the ice retreated around 17,000 years ago, first cut into deposited gravel and then into the limestone beneath. Their geological formation explains why the water can be seen both cascading and flowing smoothly over the rock here.

A well-signposted footpath leads from the car park by the shooting range in Rindbach to the waterfall in just a few minutes. The Sagenweg 1 offers another route to the natural monument: it starts at the Rindbach leisure centre and follows the Rindbach stream to the waterfall. Parking at the leisure centre is subject to a fee. This gives visitors two distinct ways to reach the waterfall: a short walk or a trail along the stream.

Walking times to the Gassl stalactite cave

A well-marked trail leads from Rindbach through the Rindbach Valley, past the Rindbach Waterfall natural monument, to the Gassl stalactite cave. The walk takes about two and three-quarter hours. The walk from the car park by the shooting range in Ebensee-Rindbach to the cave is listed as taking about two and a half hours. The starting points and route descriptions differ, so when planning, check which option you are following. On the route from the car park, trail conditions and maintenance can affect the time needed.

The guided tour of Gassel Cave takes about 50 minutes and follows a 250-metre-long route. For planning purposes, the walk and the tour are separate sections. The Kanzel Hall features particularly impressive stalactite formations, including a six-metre-long stalactite organ. Alongside the trail through the Rindbach Valley, the cave offers a focus of its own: a view of its formations inside.

Viewpoints and Sagenwege

The Jubiläumsweg begins at the intersection of Rindbachstraße and Alte Traunstraße and leads to a viewpoint overlooking Ebensee and Lake Traunsee. On Eibenberg, the pine-covered ridge offers a different perspective: Lake Traunsee lies more than 1,000 metres below to the northwest, while Offensee can be seen to the southeast. Views of the lakes depend on the weather.

The Sagenwege (Legend Trails) explore local stories and the places associated with them. There are eight trails in total, which can be travelled on foot and, in some cases, by bicycle. Sagenweg 1 links this theme with the Rindbach stream and waterfall. Those interested in cultural trails can consider a different kind of route planning from the viewpoint on the Jubiläumsweg or the gorge’s geological features.

Rindbach’s history is also part of the local character: around the turn of the 20th century, the district was the centre of summer resort life in Ebensee. This historical role adds a look at the area’s former significance to today’s attractions: the waterfall, cave and trails.

Lake Traunsee and practical information

The Rindbach leisure centre is on the southern shore of Lake Traunsee. It offers opportunities for swimming and relaxing, as well as a designated surfing area. This makes the lakeside distinct from the walking trails to the gorge and cave: here, the focus is on swimming, relaxing and surfing. Check the facility’s current operating information before your visit.

For bus directions, the timetable for route 555, valid from 15 February 2026, lists four stops in Rindbach: Jocherbrücke, Rindbachstraße, Schöffauweg and Alte Traunstraße. Check the current timetable before travelling. The destinations, viewpoints and stops listed here offer different reference points for planning a stay in Rindbach; which ones you focus on depends on whether you want to include the waterfall and cave, viewpoints, Sagenwege or Lake Traunsee.

Discover more destinations: Gosau, Laakirchen, Gschwandt, Grünau Im Almtal, Neukirchen, Roitham, Scharnstein, Kirchham Bei Vorchdorf.

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