> Relatively easy paths
> Lodging in hotels in addition to mountain huts
> Long distances and lots of 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. At 65 kilometers and over 5,000 altimeters, this hike demands a good level of fitness. However, this is all 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 Kaiserkrone offers the perfect variety between Austrian mountain huts and hotels where you can enjoy a moment to yourself. Are you ready for it?
This stage offers two route options: a more challenging alpine route and an easier alternative, both leading to the beautifully located Kaindlhütte.
The challenging route heads north from Gaudeamushütte, climbing steeply through rocky terrain toward the Gruttenhütte. This section includes T3 mountain trails and secured via ferrata passages with cables and handholds—no special equipment is needed, but surefootedness and a head for heights are essential.
After this demanding stretch, both routes converge and continue along a scenic path with breathtaking valley views. You'll pass short sections with ladders and ropes, hike past the peaceful Kaiser-Hochalm, and enjoy a picture-perfect view of Lake Hinterstein. A final short ascent leads you to the welcoming Kaindlhütte, where you can relax and take in the incredible surroundings of the Wilder Kaiser.
Get ready for today with a tough challenge at the end of the stage. The first hours start quietly and 7 kilometers, narrow paths, bridges and several stairs further, you will reach the lowest point of this stage: 840 meters. You finish today with an intensive ascent of about 720 meters, spread over 3.5 kilometers.
After passing the Anton-Karg-Haus you are at the foot of this challenge. It's a tough part of the hike but luckily you can enjoy a cold beer once you've conquered the climb and arrived at the Stripsenjochhaus. Cheers!
You will wake up in the Stripsenjochhaus, at 1,570 meters (5.150 feet) altitude. You will leave in a northerly direction and today you will enter the higher mountains. Because of this you will encounter mountain peaks left and right. The first one you will pass already after 500 meters (1.640 feet). The Hundskopf is at 1,730 meters (5.675 feet) and you will see it slide by on your left. Immediately after that, you will see the Stripsenkopf with a 1,807-meter summit (5.928 feet). The narrow paths continue until you reach the top of the Tristecken from where you slowly walk over the Feldberg ridge (1,813 meters/5.948 feet).
From here you walk towards the valley until, after a total of 10 kilometers (6,2 miles), you exchange the mountain paths for a wider path. Just before you arrive in Griesenau you will turn right and after 4,5 kilometers (2,8 miles) you will arrive at your accommodation for tonight. Here you can once again enjoy a private room and a wonderful shower.
Today is the last day of your Kaiserkrone trek and immediately one of the most challenging. Whereas during the rest of the tour you will walk on relatively easy trails, during this stage you will have to climb and scramble on some sections to get on. You start with a 1.7 km ascent on a well-traveled but steep trail up to the Bacheralm. From here you switch to a narrower mountain path that takes you up to 1,190 meters (3.904 feet).
This is where the trail gets a bit more exciting. With the help of some steel cables and a few slightly exposed sections, you make your way along the Gscheuerkopf (1,280 meters / 4,199 feet). This part runs parallel to the first official stage of the Adlerweg. The path requires some care and attention, but it's very manageable for most hikers. Gradually, you climb towards the Einöd Alm and leave the trickiest sections of the day behind. Enjoy your final moments in the Wilder Kaiser, because after covering a total of 8 kilometers (5 miles), the descent back to the starting point begins. Another 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) of walking downhill brings you back to Going am Wilden Kaiser. Don’t forget to take one last look at the impressive mountain range before you continue your journey!
