Stage 1: Start in Going, Hüttling (820 m). Forest road 817 leads you via the Graspoint-Niederalm (981 m) up to the Obere Regalm with homemade regional delicacies (1,313 m; only open in summer on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, from middle September until middle October only Saturdays & Sundays).
Suitably fortified, you should head uphill through the Alpine meadows on the picturesque trail 827 until you reach the Brennender Palven mountain (also known as the Baumgartenköpfl, 1,572 m). You are rewarded for having made the ascent with fantastic panoramas over the rock massif of the Wilder Kaiser in the north and over the Kitzbühel Alps and Hohe Tauern mountain range in the south. This is also the site of the famous Bergsteigergrab, which is the final resting place of the “Koasamuch”. This famous climber from the “Edelweissgilde” organisation, born Much Wieser in Scheffau in 1888, was dedicated to having summit books on all summits in the Wilder Kaiser region.
Path 824 heads west, leading down towards the Gaudeamushütte (1,263 m). This cosy mountain hut is an inviting option for a refreshment stop or even your first overnight stay. Enjoy the fascinating view into Ellmauer Tor!
If you continue walking to the Gruttenhütte mountain hut, you will need to stay on path 824/813 towards Klamml as of this point. The narrow path, which leads through the steep Klamml, is secured with a ladder and several iron clamps (surefootedness and a good head for heights are essential – caution due to danger of rock falls from the via ferrata!). After following a number of bends, the Gruttenhütte (1,620 m) will come into view. This hut was built in 1899 and is the highest in the Wilder Kaiser. It is exposed on a rocky crest, features a beautiful sun terrace and is located directly at the foot of the Ellmauer Halt. This is the highest summit in the Wilder Kaiser region at 2,344 metres and an important starting point for mountaineers and climbers. On a clear day, you can savour wonderful views as far as the Grossvenediger mountain.
Stage 2: Starting from the Gruttenhütte mountain hut, hike west on road 14a for the first 15 minutes. At the next singpost you turn over a few steps onto the Wilder-Kaiser-Steig trail (WKS) 823. You hike in southwesterly direction, beneath the Treffauer and Tuxeck summits via the Lenggries (one of the largest gravel cirques in the Wilder Kaiser region), you pass by mountain pines and through mountain forests. The Kitzbühel Alps and the glaciers of the Hohe Tauern mountain range are always in view. The wild and romantic Kaiser-Hochalm Alpine pasture, which is located below the Sonnenstein mountain, does not feature any establishments that serve food but is still a wonderful photo opportunity.
Continue on the Wilder-Kaiser-Steig trail 821/823 to Steiner-Hochalm mountain hut (1,257 m; only serves drinks). Enjoy a pleasant rest, with innkeepers Maridi and Peter often also serving up spontaneous harp music and song.
Once this has put a spring in your step, you should start walking along the road and subsequently on the Höhenweg trail 821. Head downhill in the direction of Bärnstatt/Hintersteiner See until you come to the St. Leonhard Kapelle chapel. Slightly further south, the Gasthof Bärnstatt inn offers a place to stay for those looking to enjoy a gentle hike. Alternatively, you can follow the road to the Seestüberl restaurant on the eastern bank of Hintersteiner See lake.
Hintersteiner See The crystal clear mountain lake has a beautiful turquoise hue and provides a welcome cool-down for tired feet. The water is fed from underground sources and the visibility of up to 10 metres below the surface is testament to its superlative quality. The lido on the eastern bank of the lake is an ideal place to catch your breath after completing another demanding stage for the day.
From the car park at the Hintersteiner See lake/Seestüberl restaurant, head south into the forest. Here, footpath 822 provides an idyllic walk to the western bank of the crystal clear mountain lake. When this merges into the road, hike north to the Pension Maier, which is also a good inn for a refreshment stop. Further options for overnight stays on the western banks include the Pension Hagenhof and Goingstätt farm.
Stage 3: Behind Pension Maier, forest road no. 45 leads up a moderate incline to the Walleralm Alpine pasture at the foot of the Zettenkaiserkopf mountain. Savour the wonderful panorama over the Hohe Salve mountain and down into the Inntal valley as you enjoy a pleasant break at the Stöfflhütte mountain hut, Kafma Alm mountain hut or the Walleralm mountain inn. If you make the short ascent to the Kreuzbichl summit, you will be rewarded with a fantastic all-round view.
From the Walleralm, the route leads east along the Jagersteig trail (Wilder-Kaiser-Steig trail 823) to the Steiner-Hochalm (1,257 m). It then heads south to the Hinterschiessling Alm mountain hut (1,020 m), which offers specialities featuring the farm’s own Angus beef. Hike through the wonderful Rehbachklamm gorge to reach Scheffau village centre. The free “KaiserJet” bus for hikers will bring you back to the starting point in Going.
Caution: Obere Regalm - open Friday, Saturday & Sunday in good weather only; mid-September to mid-October Saturday & Sunday The Steiner-Hochalm only serves drinks!
