Matthias Weger is an impressive multi-sport athlete, skiing, climbing, paragliding, and kayaking in locations around the world, but he took it to another level when he kayaked over what might be the largest waterfall ever descended in Europe, the Bad Gastein Waterfall.
The Bad Gastein Waterfall (wasserfall) drops three levers across 984 feet right through the center of a stunning Austrian mountain village (Bad Gastein). It descends over 591 feet, with the largest drop for Weger reaching 112 feet. If you’re looking for a stunning mountain town to visit in Europe, make sure you consider Bad Gastein.
“Matthias plan was to rapel from a rappelling station which he had set up the day before in to the eddy above the lip whilst already sitting in his kayak. He had Mario Leitner to help him to hit the right spot. Adrian Mattern, Marinus Bauer and Felicitas Grabner where waiting in the pool for safety and David Sodomka, Kristof Stursa, Simon Hutter and Martin Sàlek where behind the camera. The Impact was hard, but no bones have been broken. At 112 ft, this might be the highest waterfall ever run in Europe. Matthias thinks that linking the two drops above with the main waterfall, as Bren Orton envisioned, is potentially possible but would require a high level of commitment.“
If you are interested in an intimate look at this incredible waterfall but aren’t about to take it on in a kayak, consider a zipline experience with Flying Waters:
Since July 6, 2015, Bad Gastein has featured a zip line called “Flying Waters,” approximately 984 feet long. The spectacular route leads from Villa Solitude across the valley floor of the Gastein Waterfall and past the old power station to the spring park. At its highest point, the zip line is about 223 feet above the Gastein River, reaching speeds of up to 22 mph. The system is designed for both summer and winter operation.
