Austria, Tyrol. The "Imperial Crown" Trail is a five-day circular hike around the Wilder Kaiser massif through alpine meadows, forests, and scenic mountain passes, with overnight stays in huts and small villages. Difficulty: moderate. Season: June - September.

Circle the Wilder Kaiser on Tyrol’s Imperial Crown Trail, a five-day hike through flowered alpine meadows, shady forests, and panoramic mountain passes. With moderate stages and nights in rustic huts and small villages from Ellmau to Kufstein, it’s a rewarding summer adventure from June to September.

🥾 ROUTE BY DAY

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🥾 ROUTE BY DAY

Day 1 — Ellmau: an easy warm-up walk to Wochenbrunner Alm and Anna Grotte

🥾 It’s best to make the first day an acclimatization day and not too long. The base is Ellmau, a convenient place to begin getting to know the nature of the Wilder Kaiser. You can reach Wochenbrunner Alm by car, taxi, or seasonal hiking bus, and then follow an easy route to Anna Grotte and nearby forest and meadow paths at the foot of the cliffs. The character of the walk: forest, mountain stream, meadows, panoramic views of limestone walls. The active part of the day usually takes 2.5–4 hours depending on your pace and any extra detours. For a regular traveler, this is a good start: the trails are popular, straightforward, with no climbing sections and no need for a helmet or harness. Expect roughly 6–9 km and 150–350 m of ascent, difficulty easy. It’s better to walk in the morning or early in the day, when the light is softer and there is less chance of getting caught in an afternoon thunderstorm. In June, shadier sections may be slippery after wet weather, and in September it gets dark noticeably earlier, so don’t delay your return. If the forecast is unstable, this day can easily be shortened without losing the experience.

Day 2 — Going: forest trail to Schleierwasserfall

🌲 On the second day, the route heads toward Going to one of the most beautiful and accessible natural sights in the area — Schleierwasserfall. This is a walk in the format of forest + stream gorge + waterfall + scenic clearings, especially suitable for those who want to see dramatic alpine scenery without technically difficult terrain. Depending on the starting point, the active part takes 2–4 hours; usually it comes to 5–8 km and 200–400 m of ascent. Difficulty is easy to lower-moderate: comfortable trekking shoes, a rain jacket, and water are enough for this route. Along the way, the trail passes through pleasant forest and then leads to an impressive waterfall dropping from a rocky ledge. Regular travelers like this day especially because there is no need for special navigation, ice gear, or ridge-walking experience. After rain, the stones near the waterfall become slippery, so it is important not to rush and not to approach the edges of wet slabs. At the height of summer, sunny sections can be hot, while in June and after heavy rainfall there may be mud on the approaches. It is convenient to return the same way or by a short loop if trail conditions are confirmed on site.

Day 3 — Scheffau: circular route around Hintersteiner See

💧 The third day is one of the most photogenic and peaceful: Hintersteiner See, a mountain lake in the protected Wilder Kaiser area. The character of the walk: lake, conifer forest, shoreline paths, viewpoint sections, and swimming spots. The classic loop around the lake suits regular travelers and does not require special equipment: it is a well-known, well-visited route that is often chosen even as a half-day walk. The active part takes about 1.5–2.5 hours for the loop itself, but with breaks for views, lunch, and relaxing by the water, the day easily stretches to 4–5 hours. The distance is roughly about 5–6 km, elevation gain is small, around 50–150 m, and the difficulty is easy. This is an ideal recovery day after the more mountainous sections of the route. In summer, it is especially pleasant here because of the emerald water and the cool forest shade, but it is important to start early: in high season the parking area and bus to the lake are busy. After rain, roots and shady lakeside spots may be slippery. Swimming is possible only in warm weather; the water remains refreshing even in summer.

Day 4 — Scheffau: panoramic hike to Walleralm

⛰️ The fourth day is the main “mountain” day of the tour, but it still remains a safe hiking format for a reasonably fit regular traveler. From the Scheffau area, or using the Brandstadlbahn lift, you can walk to Walleralm along popular panoramic trails. The character of the walk: alpine meadows, mountain slopes, wide views of the Wilder Kaiser limestone walls, and gentle pasture plateaus. With the lift option, the active part takes 3.5–5.5 hours; expect 8–12 km and 350–650 m of ascent. Difficulty is moderate, but the route remains realistic for a traveler without special equipment: the trails are marked, logistics are clear, and there is no need for a helmet, crampons, a harness, or mountaineering experience. The main thing is to choose the walking option to the alm itself and not continue onto difficult high-alpine branches. On this route, the contrast between green pastures and the massif’s harsh white cliffs is especially beautiful. In June, higher shady sections may still hold patches of snow or very wet ground, and in July–August it is important to watch for thunderstorms and carry enough water — open slopes can be hot. If the weather worsens, the day can be simplified to a walk on the lower panoramic trails.

Day 5 — Kufstein: a natural finale with Kaiserlift and easy trails in the Kaisergebirge

🚠 The final day is best spent from the Kufstein side, finishing the journey with an easier but very beautiful hike in the Kaisergebirge Nature Reserve. The Kaiserlift saves energy and gives access to a network of walking routes near Brentenjoch and Duxer Alm. The character of the walk: forest, alpine meadows, panoramic trails, protected nature area, and wide views over the foothills. The active part of the day usually takes 2.5–4.5 hours, depending on the chosen loop; expect 5–9 km and 150–400 m of ascent, difficulty easy to moderate. This is a good final day for a regular traveler: the lift removes the most tiring ascent, and the trails themselves can be chosen according to your energy level and the weather. At the same time, it is important not to confuse these walking routes with the more serious alpine crossings deeper inside the Kaisergebirge: for this tour, stay only on the scenic and safe options near the lift-supported zone. The seasonal detail is simple: before the trip, check whether the Kaiserlift is operating on your date, because cable cars have fixed summer operating periods and hours. After rain, forest descents can be slippery, and in September it is worth starting earlier because of the shorter daylight hours.

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