Kaiserkrone: Kaiser Little Crown

Duration: 3 days
Trails: T2 trails
Distance: 10 - 15 km per day
Ascent per day: More than 1000 m ascent per day

> Relatively easy paths
> Lodging in a hotel and a mountain hut
> Long distances and many altimeters

Welcome to the beautiful Austrian Alps. Just a few kilometers after you drive across the Austrian border at Kufstein, you arrive at the Wilder Kaiser Mountains. Here, young and old can find activities in the beautiful nature. To fully enjoy this nature, there is nothing better than a multi-day hike that you can challenge yourself with.

The Kaiserkrone is the most popular tour and runs a full circle around the mountain peaks that complete the Wilder Kaiser Mountains. The original route covers 65 kilometers and over 5,000 altimeters, but the altered Kaiser’s Little Crown ‘ only’ covers 38 kilometers and just over 2.000 altimeters. Half of this is already incorporated in the first day so a good fitness level is a must, even for the shorter version. Luckily, all of your efforts are worth it as you can enjoy the cool waters of Lake Hintersteiner, the beautiful green surroundings, and the contrasting mountain massif.

In addition to long distances and great differences in altitude, it is also time to get to know the real Austrian mountain hut culture. It is a unique experience that you can find almost nowhere else but if you are not familiar with it, it could take some getting used to. The Kaiser's Little Crown offers the perfect variety between one Austrian mountain hut and one hotel, where you can enjoy a moment to yourself. Are you ready for it?

Itinerary

Day
1

Going am Wilden Kaiser - Gruttenhütte

Duration: 06:05 h
Distance: 11.1 km
Ascent: 1140 m
Descent: 310 m

You will begin your Kaiserkrone adventure in Going am Wilden Kaiser, where you can do your final shopping to be fully prepared to set off. The Kaiserkrone is a tough tour when you look at the altimeters and that starts right on the first day. In total you have to overcome more than 1.000 altimeters (3.280 feet) but fortunately you start quietly. The first 3 kilometers (1,9 miles) you walk on a relatively flat path to Hütting, the most common starting point for the route. Right after the first steps you can already enjoy the beautiful view of the Kaiser mountains.

From Hütting begins a steady climb that, after you pass Graspoint Niederalm, slowly gets steeper. Once you reach 1.550 meters (5.085 feet), you descend to Gaudeamushütte where you can take a short break before starting today's final ascent. After 1,5 kilometers (1 mile) and about an hour and a half you will arrive at the Gruttenhütte, a real mountain hut with beautiful views of the valley. Welcome to the Austrian Alps!

Gruttenhütte

Info
Gruttenhütte
Day
2

Gruttenhütte - Kaindlhütte

Duration: 06:00 h
Distance: 13.6 km
Ascent: 520 m
Descent: 800 m

Today you will mainly descend towards the Hintersteiner See. After a good breakfast in the hut you will pack your backpack and take your first steps westward. After a short descent, you will walk for 3 kilometers on fairly level ground around the Treffauer Spitze, one of the peaks of the Wilder Kaiser Mountains that lies at an altitude of 2,306 meters.

From here it's another 2 kilometers on narrow roads, wooden steps and along steel cables until the trail begins to descend significantly. After descending 200 meters in altitude you will arrive at the Steiner Hochalm. If you have time, enjoy a break here and a delicious kaiserschmarrn. The last half of your hike takes you on trails where you constantly alternate between ascending and descending. Don't forget to look to your left to enjoy the beautiful view of the impressive Hintersteiner See. Your last 3.5 kilometers climb to the top of the Hochegg (1,470 meters). From here you have views of many peaks that make up the Wilder Kaiser Mountains. After you've had your fill here, descend toward the Kaindlhütte. In this cozy hut you will be spoiled with a good meal before you crawl into bed on time.

Kaindlhütte

Info
Kaindlhütte
Day
3

Kaindlhütte - Kufstein

Duration: 03:25 h
Distance: 8.1 km
Ascent: 70 m
Descent: 890 m

Today the tour continues towards Kufstein, the end point of the Kaiser's Little Crown. This day has relatively few hiking hours and therefore you have plenty of time to start your return trip or travel back to the starting point. For 8 kilometers you will descend almost alone and if you leave on time, you will be in the middle of Kufstein by noon. One of the sights of this town that should not be missed is the Kufstein Fortress located in the middle of town. Because it is located on a hill, it is almost impossible to miss. Once you have seen it towering above the other buildings, your Kaiser's Little Crown adventure is over. Well done and time to rest!

Included

  • Booking the huts

    We will take care of arranging accommodation on the Kaiserkrone for you. We will also provide you with a detailed itinerary for every stage and instructions on how to get to the trailhead.

  • Full travel guide

    We will send you on your way with a digital travel guide that includes a route description for the Kaiserkrone, interactive hiking maps, and the most important information applicable to your trek

  • Accommodation

    During your Kaiserkrone, you will spend your nights in mountain huts. In the mountain huts we normally only book dormitories, but we can look into private rooms on request. If the private rooms are fully booked or not available in the hut, we automatically book a bed in dormitories for you. Please note that private rooms are more expensive and there will be an additional charge for this.

  • Half board (where possible)

    Accommodation in the huts includes dinner and breakfast, unless otherwise indicated in the exclusive list. This allows you to travel lighter and not have to worry about an extra meal. Please note, however, that lunch is not included, but can be purchased at the huts.

Excluded

  • Traveling to and from

    You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport.

  • Transfers

    Should you need any form of (public) transport on location, this is not part of the trekking package. This includes the use of taxi, bus, cable cars, gondolas etc.

  • Lunch

    Half-board is included in the price of this trek. Lunch, however, is not. You can get something to eat at the mountain huts along the way.

  • Travel Insurance

    Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.

  • Personal expenses

    Personal expenses on such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.

  • Dinner Kaindlhütte

    Where possible we book accommodations on a half-board basis but at the Kaindlhütte only breakfast is included. In the evening you can dine at the hut without any problems and pay for it in cash on the spot. So make sure you take enough cash with you on trek.

FAQ

  • What and Where Is the Kaiserkrone?

  • Is the Kaiserkrone for me?

  • What is the best season for the Kaiserkrone?

  • How do I get to the starting and ending point?

How to Book

  • Booking

  • Availability

  • Cancellation policy

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Contact our Trekking Expert
Manon Weusthof
Manon Weusthof

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