Kaisertal

The gorgeous western Kaisertal valley separates the northern Zahmer Kaiser and southern
Wilder Kaiser ridges of the fine if relatively compact limestone Kaisergebirge, part of the Northern
Limestone Alps.
The valley climbs from Kufstein to the heart of the range. You will enjoy superb scenery all
around: forests and meadows in the valley bottom give way to extraordinary, wildly broken
limestone crags and ridges above. This is a climbers’ (and klettersteigers’) mecca.
The beautiful and easy walk up the valley from the northern edge of Kufstein to the Hans-Berger-
Haus (at 936m) at its far end is a delight. After a long, steep half hour puff up a series of flights of
steps, high above the exit gorge of the river, you emerge onto a track into a series of meadows
separated by woodlands, each nestling its atmospheric farmstead, several of them now providing
food and accommodation. At the valley head and high above each flank loom the vast grey cliffs
and crags that give the area its distinctive character.
There a several variants from here, mostly tracks but some on paths at times, but all get you to
the Hinterbarenbad house. From here the Hans-Berger-Haus is a further steeper 100 metres
beside the lovely stream. It should take you 3hrs+ to get here. You can stay and eat in both
places.
From the Hans-Berger-Haus, you can return to base in around 2.5 hours, or climb a further
600m+ to the Stripsenjochhaus on the high central ridge joining the northern and southern ridges
of the range.
Wonderful walking can also be had to the Vorderkaiserfelden Hut and Pyramidenspitze on the
northern ridge [link to main Kaisergebirge page]. You can stay at the Vorderkaiserfelden Hut.
From here you can traverse the high Zahmer Kaise, to the dramatic Pyramidenspitze peak at
1,997m in 2.5hrs or so. This is a popular walk, but deservedly, and Walkopedia really covets it.
You can also take a long high route [link to main page] from the Vorderkaiserfelden Hut along the
upper flanks of the Zahmer Kaiser to the Stripensjochhaus. From here you can drop to the
Kaisertal and return to Kufstein. This is a reasonably demanding walk in mountains with uncertain
weather. Come prepared.
For more information and photos, including detailed practical information
and some warnings, see our Kaisergebirge walk page.