The Most Beautiful Hikes in the "Kitzbüheler Alpen"

The Kitzbüheler Alpen thrive on their exciting contrasts. That does not just apply to the lush green of the Kitzbühel grassy Mountains, and the white of the Kaiser Mountains. The following four hiking tips show just how exciting, restorative and full of contrasts hikes in the Kitzbüheler Alpen are. They give you an appetite for the numerous mountains, paths, themed paths and circuits which you can discover in this holiday region which is known the world over.

The Wilder Kaiser, to the north of the Kitzbüheler Alpen, is known far beyond its borders. Due to its rocky nature it is especially popular with climbers. The eastern ridges of the Kaiser Mountains, the Niederkaiser, is an insider tip. You can hike on the gradient which is more than two kilometres in length, getting a fantastic view on both sides. The hike starts and finishes at the Rummlerhof (775 metres) in St. Johann in Tirol. Stalwart hikers factor in at least four hours for the extended circuit, which goes via the hermitage, Gmailkapelle, Granderalm, the Gscheuerkopf (1.279 metres) and the Schleier Waterfall back again to the Rummlerhof.

The Big Rettenstein is, at 2.344 metres, by far the highest mountain in the Kitzbühel area. It stands distinctive and alone, and is best viewed from many mountains. Also the view from the top of the Rettenstein is really superb. A suitable starting point for the long hike is Hintenbachalm in Aschau. From here takes you to the ‘Schöntalalmen’ meadows at 500 metres, which are set in a superb high valley with wonderful larch forests, which have a golden shimmer in the autumn. Sure footedness is required on the last 400 metres altitude, but the view from the summit is well worth all your effort. Descend via the Schöntaljoch and the Rettensteinjoch to Labalm, where a hot soup and a clod beer await you.

The Torhelm is one of the highest summits in the most solitary corner of the Kitzbüheler Alpen and has views aplenty. The Grossglockner and the Grossvenediger in the Hohe Tauern are within touching distance, the Zillertaler Alps and the Karwendel mountain range greets you, the view stretches from the Kitzbüheler Alpen, right into the Bavarian Alpine Uplands from the summit which is almost 2.500 metres. You should be good on your feet – since the tour is exhausting and only snow-free from July. From the car park in the Kelchsau near Tiefentalalm, which at 500 years old is the oldest Alp in the Kitzbüheler Alpen, the path goes to the Alpine plateau of the 2.000 metre high Öfeleralm and Regenfelder Lake, which are especially good as a rest area. On the return journey via numerous, crystal clear and refreshing mountain lakes, and after around seven hours of walking, you are back at the starting point of your hike again.

The Kitzbüheler Alpen made their fortune from mining, tourism only replaced it in the 19th century. The former miner’s house Kelchalm belongs to the Alpine Club today and is now called “Bochumer Hütte”. It is the ideal starting point for one of the most popular hikes in the Kitzbüheler Alpen: Three peaks, Schützkogel, Gamshag and Teufelssprung, can be combined into one hike with a fantastic panorama, Wilder Kaiser, Kitzbüheler Horn and Hohe Tauern. It is not for nothing that it was here that Alfons Walde got the themes for lots of his paintings. The little Lake Torsee is always in view. Those who persevere take in the Tristkogel on the return leg, just from the south; in the north it can only be climbed via a fixed rope route. A giant schnitzel in the Kelchalm will fill up your energy stores again.