KAT Walk : Hike The Kitzbühel Alpine Trail in Austria

The Kitzbühel Alpine Trail

7 Days & 6 Nights 4.6 Read 9 reviews

Hike the best of the Kitzbühel Alpine Trail (the KAT-Walk) through Austrian Tyrol
Summit Kitzbühler Horn at 1,996m for panoramic mountain views
Stay in 4* hotels with small ‘wellness’ areas; ideal for after-walk relaxation
Explore the baroque town of St. Johann and the chic streets of Kitzbühel
Dine on hearty regional specialities like Tiroler Gröstl and Kaiserschmarrn

Follow the best section of the long-distance Kitzbühel Alpine Trail (aka the ‘KAT-Walk’) on this walking tour through Tyrol’s stunning Kitzbüheler Alps. Discover picturesque mountains and traditional alpine villages on this unique adventure from Hopfgarten to St. Johann. You will be following the KAT-walk for the first three days to Kitzbühel. From here, the train brings you to the beautifully baroque town of St. Johann where various hiking options await exploration. Hike to the summit of Kitzbüheler Horn, a prominent local mountain, for far-reaching views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, or take a loop walk to the verdant Baumooskogel, St. Johann’s local summit. Stay each night in 4* standard hotels offering the best of Tyrolean hospitality. Unwind in the small sauna areas, the perfect way to end the walking day!

What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

If you enjoy alpine hiking on well-maintained and waymarked paths, with the added comfort of bag transfer and comfortable 4* hotels with wellness areas, then this tour is ideal. Delicious local delicacies really sweeten the deal, with hearty food a deserved reward after a day on the trails. With its ‘moderate’ difficulty rating, it’s a perfect tour for first-time Alpine walkers. Follow a mix of narrow mountain paths and wide walking trails with a daily average of 800m of ascent and descent.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Long-Distance Trails
Accessible by Rail

Grade & Terrain

We have graded this trip moderate. The trails range from narrow mountain trails to wide hiking paths. You will be walking on alpine terrain so you should be sure-footed with a head for heights since some sections can be steep and narrow. You should be in good shape to get the most from this tour.

Navigation

The trails are well way-marked, and together with detailed route notes, maps and the Macs Adventure Smartphone App enabling you to follow the route using your phone's GPS, you will have no problems finding the way.

Experience & Fitness

You should be in good shape to get the most from this tour as there steep ascents and descents. You should also have a head for heights and a sure foot as you will be walking on Alpine terrain including narrow rocky paths.

Accommodation Information

Stay 6 nights in comfortable 4* hotels. All the hotels we use have been chosen for their Tyrolean hospitality, cosy atmosphere and high standards. They also have a small ‘Wellness’ area which usually includes a sauna, steam bath and sometimes a pool. Please be aware that twin & double rooms in Austria (Doppelzimmer in German) are typically 2 single mattresses side by side in one double bed frame with two separate duvet covers and pillows.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This trip is available to solo walkers and a solo walker supplement is payable. If you are undertaking this trip solo, you should be an experienced walker. Single rooms are also available on request, and again a supplement is payable.

Meals

6 continental breakfasts are included. This is usually in buffet form and there are many filling breakfast items available which are perfect for hikers; e.g. boiled eggs, ham, cheese, fresh bread and muesli. Lunch is not included and can be picked up at local supermarkets or ‘Backerei’ along the way. Most accommodations will also be able to provide you with a packed lunch for the day, ask upon arrival (payable locally). There are also various lunch options along the way in typical alpine chalets and huts. Tyrolean specialities include ‘Tiroler Gröstl’, a bacon, onion and potato fry-up topped with a fried egg, or ‘Kiachl’ a fried yeast dough pastry that can be served sweet or savoury. Kaiserschmarrn (translates as Emperor’s mess, named after Franz Joesph the first) is another ubiquitous Tyrolean dish, and is chopped, fluffy, warm pancakes served with icing sugar and homemade jam or compote– absolutely delicious! If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know at the time of booking.

Included

6 nights in 4* hotels
6 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers
Route notes, maps, GPX tracks, access to our GPS app & info pack
24-7 Emergency telephone support from our German and UK offices

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to Hopfgarten and from St. Johann
Lunches & Dinners
Public transport/cable cars
Drinks and snacks
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights during the holiday

When To Go

This walk is available to start on any day of the week from the middle of June to the end of September.

Weather and Climate

The Alps generally have warm and sunny summers and cold and snowy winters. However, the weather in the Alps can change very quickly, particularly at altitude. You should be prepared for all weather eventualities as even snow can fall in the summer in the mountains, regardless of the time of year. Very hot days are often followed by rain and thunderstorms, and landslides are not uncommon. Check the weather report each day locally before setting off for your hike.

Getting to the Start

Fly into Innsbruck, Salzburg Munich or Vienna airport and then take a train to Hopfgarten im Brixtal with one change in Wörgl (1, 2, 1.5 or 4 hours).

Getting from the End

From St. Johann you can travel by train to any other Austrian destination or back to Innsbruck, Salzburg, Munich or Vienna airports, again with a change in Wörgl (1.5, 2, 2 or 4.5 hours). Information on the trains in Austria can be found in English at the Austrian National Rail Service website: https://www.oebb.at/en

Baggage Transfer

Bag transfer of one bag per person (up to 20kg) is included as standard. Your bags will be moved from Hopfgarten to St. Johann, giving you the freedom to walk each day with just a day pack.

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example proper rain gear, sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take. This includes good waterproof gear, walking shoes/boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.

Equipment

In your information pack you will find a detailed packing list which includes walking boots, walking poles and waterproof clothes amongst other things.

How far in advance do I need to book?

How fit do I need to be?

How do the baggage transfers work?

What equipment do I need?

What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Hopfgarten Day 2 Walk to Brixen im Thale 7 miles / 12 km Day 3 Walk to Kirchberg 9 miles / 15 km Day 4 Walk to Kitzbühel and train to St. Johann 10 miles / 16 km Day 5 Train to Kitzbühel and walk to St. Johann 7 miles / 12 km Day 6 Loop walk to Baumooskogel 10 miles / 15 km Day 7 Onward Travel

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