Austria | Wilder Kaiser Mountain Trek
Traverse the landscape along the Wilder Kaiser mountains.
Trip Highlights:
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Follow the entire Wilder Kaiser range from west to east, along the sunny south side, Südwand
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Encounter idyllic alpine villages, family-owned huts, and stunning views of the magnificent peaks
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Enjoy outstanding regional cuisine, featuring farm-to-table freshness in which the locals pride themselves
Our Wilder Kaiser trek follows trails traversing the landscape along Austria’s famous Wilder Kaiser mountains. The literal translation of Wilder Kaiser is Wild Emperor, which seems fitting for such a rugged range of peaks. You follow the entire Wilder Kaiser range from west to east, along the sunny south side, Südwand. Along the way, you encounter idyllic alpine villages, family-owned huts, and stunning views of the magnificent peaks. Each meadow (Alm) seems to have its own hut (Hütte), and you pass by many Almhütten en route, o en stopping for a meal or a drink.
The trek begins in Kufstein, home to the famous Kufstein Festung, or Kufstein Fortress. From here, the route rounds the western flank of the range, to the hamlet of Scheffau, stopping at the Hintersteiner See along the way. From Scheffau, the trails continue east to the hamlet of Ellmau and on to St. Johann in Tyrol to wrap up the journey. The looming jagged limestone massif of the Wilder Kaiser provides a spectacular backdrop for the entire week.
The hikes focus on the more mild side of the range, each day traveling from excellent hotels up to charming huts sitting in the many meadows beneath the jagged peaks. With this in mind, each day’s hike will be no more than 8 miles with 2000 feet of elevation gain. There are options for longer variations on some days. Although you are traveling beneath the peaks, you often encounter intrepid climbers heading higher into the peaks, where the paths disappear into rugged limestone summits.
The central Wilder Kaiser mountains themselves have been set aside as a Naturschutzgebiet, or Nature Protection Area. Note that there are no ski lifts and no resort infrastructure in the entire range, making it a haven for hikers and climbers alike. The famous skiing complex of Kitzbühel lies to the south of the villages, in a different range on the other side of the valley, providing excellent infrastructure for this adventure.
Trip Itinerary
Choose from our standard itinerary or customize the trek by adding or subtracting days.
Arrive in Kufstein, a charming town nestled in the Inn River Valley between Innsbruck, Austria, and Rosenheim, Germany. Settle in to your hotel.
A short half hour walk from the hotel takes you to a lift where you ascend to the meadows above town. Enjoy panoramic views of the Wilder Kaiser mountains before heading out on the trail. Ascend on a moderately steep, but good trail over Hochegg offering spectacular views over the Inn River Valley. For lunch we recommend one of the three huts you pass along the trail before hiking down to Hintersteiner See. From here you bus to Scheffau where you spend the night. Distance: 7 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1115/2220 ft.
Today’s hike is an idyllic loop hike up to the base of the magnificent western flank of the Wilder Kaiser. You start the day hiking uphill through the valley, crossing multiple streams. After a brief rest at Hinterschießlingalm you continue to ascend gradually alongside a lovely meadow, with great views of the majestic peaks behind. Lunch can be a picnic on the trail or eaten at Kaiseralm Hütte, which is the apex of today’s hike. After lunch descend back to Scheffau for another night. You may elect to ascend to the higher Kaiser Hochalm adding a longer hike to your day. Distance: 6 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1380 .
Longer hike: 8 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 2560 ft.
Today’s hike takes you from the charming heart of Scheffau to the Wochenbrunneralm, high above Ellmau. The hike will lead you from the village core through outskirts, across farmland and then up into the forest. Stop for lunch at the Riedlhütte (hut). Then its a quick descent to Wochenbrunneralm and from there, where you will connect by bus (or taxi) to your hotel in Ellmau. Distance: 6 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1825/550 ft.
Today you will hike to the Gaudeamushütte (hut) which sits at 4167 feet in a beautiful alpine pasture at the foot of the Törlspitzen mountains. There are two options for today’s hike. Both hikes use public transportation to get to and from.
Option #1: This is a beautiful hike to the Gruttenhütte, high above the Wochenbrunneralm. If you look straight up, you can see it perched high up, right beneath the Wilder Kaiser. Lunch is at the hut and you will have incredible views towards the mountains in the south, as well as the Wilder Kaiser region. The trail leads across varied terrain – beginning in the forest and make its way high above tree line. You return to Wochenbrunneralm via a more gentle carriage road and hiking trail. Transfer by bus or taxi back to Ellmau. Distance: 4 miles. Elevation gain/loss:1,725 /1,750 ft.
Option #2:
A fun and exciting outing that is ONLY suitable for experts who don’t mind exposure, ladders, ropes and steep steps. You will hike to the Gaudeamushütte and take a connecting trail to Gruttenhütte called the Klammlsteig. Klamml, means small gorge and that really is what it is. You will be using ladders, metal steps, ropes as you climb through the small shoot. The final stretch is on a well maintained hiking trail to the Gruttenhütte. The return to Wochenbrunner Alm is down carriage roads and hike trails. Transfer by bus or taxi back to Ellmau. Distance: 4 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1,675/1,500 ft.
Today’s hike starts with a rewarding ascent to the picturesque Gaudeamushütte. From there, you head northeast along a scenic trail to the Regalmhütte via Baumgartenknöfl, soaking in breathtaking views along the way. Pause for refreshments at the cozy hut before making your way back to Wochenbrunner Alm. The day ends with a transfer to St. Johann and your hotel in the heart of this charming town. Distance: 7 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1,900 ft.
Today’s hike begins with a short taxi to Reischerwirt just outside Going am Wilden Kaiser. You begin with a scenic ascent toward the stunning Schleierwasserfall. The trail then takes you through lush forests and alpine meadows, with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. The route eventually leads you back to St. Johann, where a well-earned break awaits at Rummlerhof. Indulge in their renowned Spätzle or Kasspressknödl, considered some of the best in the region, before strolling back into town. Distance: 9 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1800/3850 ft.
