Koschach - Fallbach (Fallbach Klettersteig)

Access to starting point:
Through the Karawanks Tunnel, we drive into Austria, past Beljak to Spittal an der Drau, where we turn right towards Katschberg/Gmünd. At Gmünd we exit the motorway and drive through the village of Malta to Koschach, where a sign for „Fallbach wasserfall” directs us right to the parking lot.

Path description:
From the parking lot, we head towards the waterfall, at the ticket office we pay the entrance fee (4€), we continue towards the sports ground and on the right side look for the sign for "Fallbach klettersteig", which over logs crosses the stream (the sign is poorly visible). The path turns left up the meadow and soon we reach the first steel cables.
The beginning is easy, the path crosses along a narrow trail, then we reach the first vertical section (C/D). The path becomes even more demanding and ascends vertically (D), some pegs help us. On this part it is more about free climbing, since with the thin and loose steel cable we cannot help ourselves much.
For a short time the path levels out, then the difficulties start again. First we forcibly traverse the smooth wall (C), then ascend vertically (D). Follows a slightly less demanding traverse over the bulging rock (B/C). After a steep ascent with loose steel cable (D) we reach the hanging bridge on the left side, to the right the path branches off towards the panoramic platform, where there is also the emergency exit. Anyone who had difficulties up to this part of the path should rather return via this path, because the most difficult part follows.
Over the hanging bridge the path leads diagonally upwards over the smooth wall (D), follows a traverse (C) and we are already at the summit register box, where there is also a suitable spot for a rest before the most difficult part. The path first ascends diagonally along the ledge (D), then we reach a several-metre-high overhang (E). The inclination is approximately 25 degrees outwards, there are no holds, we ascend only by "pulling" on the steel cable, where arm strength plays the main role. At the top then follows a traverse to the left (C), vertical ascent (D), then a less demanding part of the path to the top (shorter section D, rest B/C). Since the rock is already quite worn, one must still be careful on this part.
From the top we descend via the right path, which brings us to the road in the valley after approximately 20 minutes.