Kaiserkrone - Multi-Day Hike
Around the Wilder Kaiser in 5 days
The Kaiserkrone takes mountain hikers around the impressive Wilder Kaiser massif and to the most beautiful places with fantastic views from Lake Chiemsee to the Großglockner over a distance of approx. 58 kilometres and around 4,000 metres of as cent and descent. This tour is a unique journey into a mountain world full of stories and experiences.
Depending on snow conditions, the Kaiserkrone is accessible from June to mid-October and is aimed at classic mountain hikers with stage lengths of 8 to 16.5 kilometres and walking times of around five to seven hours per day (average calculation in a small group without breaks and adapted to experience). Several approaches, easy and difficult alternative routes and various overnight accommodation options along the route allow for very flexible and individual route planning.
All details at a glance
- 5 stages
- 57.7 kilometres
- 4,000 metres in altitude
- once around the mountain massif of the Wilder Kaiser
- Overnight stays in huts on the mountain and once in the valley
- Various approaches and alternative routes possible
Die Kaiserkrone: In 5 Tagen rund um den Wilden Kaiser
Planning & important information
Here you will find detailed information that will help you plan your tour of the Kaiserkrone. Regardless of whether you want to hike the classic tour or plan an alternative route or two.
Due to the landscape conditions, no luggage transport is offered along the Kaiserkrone.
Accommodation along the Imperial Crown
Overnight destinations of the individual stages
Here you will find the exact contact details of the accommodation options along the Kaiserkrone. Book your accommodation in good time directly online via the huts' online reservation system, by e-mail or telephone. The Wilder Kaiser Tourist Office will be happy to help you book accommodation in the valley before or after the tour. We recommend starting the Kaiserkrone on a Sunday or Monday, as the weekends at the huts are usually very well booked and there can be difficulties with availability.
Tip
Want fewer stages?
The Kaiserkrone is also available as a challenging short variant from hut to hut. The 3-day hut tour runs along the south side of the
of the Wilder Kaiser with a summit victory on the Hintere Goinger Halt.
Good to know!
The Kaiserkrone has been marked along its route with its own symbol on the signposts. The exact routes and maps can be found in the individual stages - you can also download the GPX tracks there.
The detailed Wilder Kaiser hiking map, on which the Kaiserkrone is marked, is available locally at the four tourist information centres in Ellmau, Going, Scheffau and Söll or you can order it online.
The Kaiserkrone is a tour of medium difficulty throughout and is therefore a red mountain trail with stage lengths of 8-16 kilometres. The corresponding signs are in a basic yellow colour and have a red dot to indicate difficulty. Photos of the route, including the key sections, can be found at the individual stages.
Definition of moderately difficult ("red") mountain trails
Red mountain trails are often narrow and steep and can be exposed in places. They may include short, secured walking passages or short sections for which the supportive use of the hands is advantageous. These paths should only be attempted by sure-footed and enduring mountain hikers with appropriate mountain equipment and alpine experience.
Requirements for the imperial crown
- Sure-footedness and a head for heights
- Appropriate mountain equipment and alpine experience as well as fitness for up to eight hours of walking. (The exact altitude metres and kilometres per day can be found in the individual stages).
The key section "Klammlweg" can be bypassed. See alternative routes.
You can book individually guided tours directly with the Tyrolean mountain guides or state-certified mountain guides from the region. Not only will you be safe on the trail, but you will also learn a few tips about the Kaiser Mountains.
If you are walking the regular stages of the Kaiserkrone, a mountain hiking guide can accompany you. If you would like a difficult alternative route, summit ascents or via ferratas away from the red hiking trails, the tour must be accompanied by a state-certified mountain guide.
Here you will find recommendations for your equipment for the 3-day hut tour. Breathable outdoor clothing that is suitable for all weather conditions is important. We recommend lightweight, quick-drying clothing made of merino wool that remains odourless even after several days. Please make sure you have enough food for the multi-day hike: muesli bars, nuts and dried fruit are a good snack for in between. You should also take enough to drink, whereby a refillable water bottle is particularly recommended.
Standard equipment:
- Outdoor clothing suitable for the weather and the tour, including a change of clothes
- Hiking poles (height-adjustable)
- Hiking poles (height-adjustable)
- Helmet
- Catering (enough to drink & snacks)
- Mobile phone with fully charged battery
- ID, insurance card, cash
- Sturdy hiking boots with grippy tread soles
- Sun protection (sunglasses, sun cream, lip protection, headgear)
- Cold protection (hat, gloves)
- Climbing harness and via ferrata set if necessary
- First aid pack incl. rescue blanket & bivouac bag
- Hiking map, tour description and information material
Additional equipment:
- Overnight equipment (comfortable shoes, sleeping bag, change of clothes, underwear, toiletries, towel, etc.)
- Cash (at most huts it is not possible to pay with credit or debit cards).
- Headlamp/small torch, rechargeable batteries, spare batteries, charging cable for mobile phone
- Camera, binoculars, pocket knife
- Personal medication, Oropax, blister plasters, headache tablets, magnesium tablets, etc.
- Identity card, insurance cards (e.g. Alpine Club card)
- Plastic bags for waste and/or dirty laundry
- Possibly tour book/diary, playing cards etc.
Rescue missions in the mountains are not free of charge! If you take out mountain cost insurance in good time (e.g. travel insurance from Europäische Reiserversicherung or as a sponsor of the Tyrolean Mountain Rescue Service, as a member of the Alpine Club, via ÖAMTC/ADAC or credit card and private accident insurance), your mountain costs can be covered by the insurance up to the defined amount.
Attention! Health insurance companies do not pay for rescue from alpine emergencies!
