Kraulukalns Ice Grotto Falls

There are many cliffs, caves, waterfalls, and other natural and man-made wonders in the gorgeous Brasla River Valley. Many of them do not have their official names and, frankly, Kraulukalns Ice Grotto Falls also is a free interpretation by the author.

This is a very recent waterfall that formed over the last few decades. A small stream was channeled to Brasla River in the 20th century and it quickly gnawed in the fragile Devonian sandstone cliffs – Kraulukalns Rock.

Thus, in 1999 (see image) the waterfall was less high, water fell directly on a large stone, splashing the sandstone walls all around it.

Now (2023) it has receded for more than 10 meters, and the splashes of water and, most likely, some springs have formed a cliff ledge. Waterfall has a smaller (around 1 m) leap and after approximately 1-1.5 m long run the stream leaps over the rim of the cliff and then falls through free air for some 5 meters.

In winter this small waterfall turns into a giant icicle. A visitor can walk all around this icicle that is several meters high, wide, and thick. Eerie experience!

There is another, higher waterfall – icefall some 80 meters to the west.