Tyrol: Trails of the Wilder Kaiser

8 Days & 7 Nights 5 Read 6 reviews

Hike scenic high trails around Austria’s Kaiser mountains
Discover the Alpine town of Kufstein, the Pearl of Tyrol
Follow sections of the long distance trail, the Eagle’s Way
Stay in comfortable hotels and spend two nights in authentic mountain huts
Sample the delights of Tyrolean cuisine like hearty Gröstl and Kaiserschmarrn

Spend a week hiking around the impressive Kaiser mountains on this inn to inn walking tour. Made up of the Wilder Kaiser (wild emperor) and the Zahmer Kaiser (tame emperor) ranges, it’s the perfect location for an authentically Tyrolean walking adventure. Your tour begins in the medieval town of Kufstein, known for its imposing fortress, cobbled streets and colourful buildings. Follow panoramic trails in the shadow of the Kaiser’s dramatic peaks. Arrive at the pretty baroque town of St. Johann, the cultural hub of the Kaiser and Kitzbühel Alps. Hike across the ‘Gentle Emperor’ range to reach the verdant Walchsee lake. Take a refreshing swim and hike to a nearby viewpoint, enjoying fabulous views over the mountains and trails you followed to get here. Stay in 3-4* hotels, as well as spending two nights in traditional Austrian Alpine huts.

What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

If you are a keen walker who enjoys following mountains trails with beautiful views, and 1,000m of ascent and descent is not a problem for you, then this tour is ideal. Enjoy the balance of staying in culturally and historically interesting towns in 3-4* hotels and spending two nights in the mountains in authentic huts. Finish your hiking day off by indulging in some delicious regional specialities and enjoying the friendly hospitality of the locals.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent holiday.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | A classic point to point walking trip, staying in a different location each night

This trip is suitable for:

Avid Adventurers

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:

Wildlife
Mountains

Grade & Terrain

This tour is rated moderate to strenuous. Distances vary from 10– 16km, and the ascent/descent is considerable, ranging between 540-1,100 m each day. To get the most from this tour you should be in good physical shape, be sure-footed and comfortable using a chair lift. The terrain is alpine, and paths are a mixture of woodland trails, rocky mountain paths, gravel tracks, boulder strewn-paths and faint, narrow grassy trails. There are cables, ropes and chains to aid ascent/descent in some places.

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.

Accommodation Information

Stay 5 nights in comfortable 3 & 4* hotels and guesthouses and 2 nights in mountains huts. All the hotels we use have been chosen for their Tyrolean hospitality, cosy atmosphere and high standards. In the huts, we will always try to book you into private 2-bed rooms where possible. At the Gaudeamashütte, the bathroom facilities can be found on the landing and are shared. The Gaudeamashütte has a limited number of private rooms, in case these are not available we will book you into a mixed dorm, which will be shared with other hikers. 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.

**Due to strict Covid-19 health & safety regulations, the Gaudeamas mountain hut requires all clients to bring their own duvet cover, pillow case and sleeping bag liner (sleeping bags are not allowed). The Stripsenjochhaus mountain hut requires clients bring their own sleeping bag liner. Please bear this in mind when packing, as these items are essential, and can take up quite a lot of space.**

Meals

7 breakfasts are included in the cost of your trip. In hotels and guesthouses, breakfast is always buffet-style with various options available. Expect a continental breakfast with bread, jams, pastries, yoghurt and muesli available. Usually, there are also local meats and cheeses, eggs and fruit on offer. Breakfast in mountain huts will be more modest, we suggest taking a couple of energy bars to supplement if you prefer a larger breakfast in the morning.

5 Dinners and all lunches are not included so you have the freedom to choose from what’s on offer each day. You may be able to order a packed lunch at your accommodation for the following day, or you can find bakeries and shops in each town to stock up on food for your hikes. There are plenty of options for dinner each night, either at your hotel or in nearby restaurants. Dinner is included at the Gaudeamashütte & Stripsenjochhaus huts. Food in Austria is hearty and traditional, with meat and cheese being some of the dominant ingredients! Tyrolean specialities include ‘Tiroler Gröstl’, 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 home-made jam or compote – absolutely delicious!

Included

5 nights in 3 &4* hotels
2 nights in private two bed dorms in mountain huts
7 breakfasts
2 dinners (day 3 & 5)
Daily door-to-door baggage transfer (except on day 3)
Route notes, maps, GPX tracks, access to our smartphone navigation app and info pack
24/7 telephone support from our German & UK office

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to Kufstein and from Durchholzen
Lunches & 5 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.

Getting to the Start

Fly into Munich airport or Innsbruck airport from where you can take a train to Kufstein (both direct and both just over an hour) We can also organise private transfers from either airport to the start point, just ask us for more information.

Getting from the End

From Durchholzen take bus no. 4030 to Kufstein train station, from where you can retrace your steps to Munich or Innsbruck airports. We can also organise taxi transfers back to Kufstein if you prefer. Train times and more info can be found in English at www.bahn.de/en (German railways) or www.oebb.at/en/ (Austrian railways).

Baggage Transfer

Bag transfer of one bag per person (up to 20kg) is included as standard. Your bags will be moved from Kufstein to Scheffau, from Scheffau to St. Johann, and from St. Johann to Walchsee/Durccholzen. There is no bag transfer to the Gaudeamashütte (day 3) or to Stripsenjochhaus (Day 5) due to their remote locations. On these days, you will carry a few overnight necessities in your day pack, and you will be reunited with your luggage the following day at the next accommodation.

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.

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 Kufstein Day 2 Walk to Scheffau 10 miles / 16.5 km Day 3 Walk to Gaudeamushütte 6.7 miles / 10.8 km Day 4 Walk to St. Johann 7.8 miles / 12.5 km Day 5 Walk to Stripsenjochhaus 9.8 miles / 15.8 km Day 6 Walk to Walchsee 8.6 miles / 13.8 km Day 7 Loop walk to Brennkopf 11.8 miles / 19 km Day 8 Onward Travel

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