Kaiserkrone – Multi-day hike
Around the Wilder Kaiser in 5 days
The Kaiserkrone takes hill walkers on a route of approximately 58 kilometres and around 4,000 metres of elevation gain on the ascent and descent, taking them once round the imposing Wild Kaiser massif and to the most beautiful spots with fantastic views stretching from Lake Chiemsee to the Großglockner. 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 walkers, with stage lengths of 8 to 16.5 kilometres and walking times of around five to seven hours per day (average calculation for a small group, excluding breaks and adjusted to reflect experience). Several access points, easy and difficult alternative routes, as well as various accommodation options along the route allow for very flexible and personalised route planning.
All the details at a glance
- 5 stages
- 57.7 kilometres
- 4,000 metres of elevation gain
- all the way round the Wilder Kaiser mountain range
- Overnight stays in mountain huts and one night in the valley
- Various access points and alternative routes are possible
The Kaiserkrone: A 5-day tour around the Wilder Kaiser
Wilder Kaiser hiking map
Our 1:25,000-scale walking map provides a clear overview of all the walking routes in the region. You’ll also find detailed descriptions of the most beautiful walks in Ellmau, Going, Scheffau and Söll on the back of the map.
Planning & important information
Here you’ll find detailed information to help you plan your hike along the Kaiserkrone. Whether you want to hike the classic route or include one or two alternative routes in your plans.
Due to the nature of the terrain, no luggage transport is available along the Kaiserkrone.
Accommodation along the Kaiserkrone
Accommodation options for each stage
Here you’ll find the exact contact details for accommodation options along the Kaiserkrone route. Book your accommodation in good time directly online via the huts’ online booking system, by email or by telephone. If you’d like to book accommodation in the valley before or after your tour, we at the Wilder Kaiser Tourist Board will be happy to help. We recommend starting the Kaiserkrone route on a Sunday or Monday, as the huts are usually very busy at weekends and there may be difficulties with availability.
Tip
Would you prefer fewer stages?
The Kaiserkrone is also available as a challenging short version, going from hut to hut. The 3-day hut-to-hut trek follows the southern side
of the Wilder Kaiser, culminating in the summit of the Hintere Goinger Halt.
Good to know!
The Kaiserkrone has been marked along its route with its own symbol on the signposts. You can find the exact route descriptions and maps under the individual stages – the GPX tracks are also available for download there.
You can pick up the detailed Wilder Kaiser hiking map, on which the Kaiserkrone is marked, locally at the four tourist information centres in Ellmau, Going, Scheffau and Söll, or you can order it online.
The Kaiserkrone is a route of consistent medium difficulty and is therefore a red mountain trail with stages ranging from 8 to 16 km in length. The corresponding signposts have a yellow background and feature a red dot to indicate the difficulty level. You can find photos of the route, including the key sections, under the individual stages.
Definition: Medium-difficulty (‘red’) mountain trails
Red mountain trails are often narrow and steep, and may in places be exposed. They may include short sections with fixed ropes or short stretches where it is helpful to use your hands for support. These trails should only be tackled by sure-footed and fit hill walkers with appropriate mountaineering equipment and alpine experience.
Requirements for the Imperial Crown
- Sure-footedness and a head for heights
- Appropriate mountaineering equipment and alpine experience, as well as the physical fitness required for up to eight hours’ walking. (You will find the exact figures for elevation gain and distance per day listed for each stage.)
The key section ‘Klammlweg’ can be bypassed. See alternative routes.
You can book personalised guided tours directly with the Tyrolean mountain guides or state-certified mountain guides from the region. This means you’ll not only be safe on your hike, but you’ll also pick up a few tips about the Kaiser Mountains.
If you’re walking the regular stages of the Kaiserkrone, a mountain hiking guide accompany you. If you’d like to tackle a challenging alternative route, summit ascents or via ferrata off the red hiking trails, the tour must be led by a state-certified mountain guide.
Here you’ll find recommendations for your kit for the 3-day hut-to-hut trek. It’s important to have breathable outdoor clothing that’s suitable for all weather conditions. We recommend lightweight, quick-drying merino wool clothing that remains odour-free even after several days. Please ensure you have sufficient provisions for the multi-day hike: muesli bars, nuts and dried fruit make good snacks for in between meals. You should also take enough to drink with you; a refillable water bottle is particularly recommended here.
Standard equipment:
- Outdoor clothing suitable for the weather and the trip, including a change of clothes
- Hiking poles (height-adjustable)
- Hiking poles (height-adjustable)
- Helmet
- Food and drink (plenty to drink and a snack)
- Mobile phone with a fully charged battery
- ID, insurance card, cash
- sturdy walking boots with a grippy tread
- Sun protection (sunglasses, sun cream, lip balm, headwear)
- Protection against the cold (hat, gloves)
- if necessary, a climbing harness and via ferrata kit
- First-aid kit including a thermal blanket and bivouac bag
- Hiking map, route description and information leaflets
Additional equipment:
- Items for an overnight stay (comfortable shoes, a hut sleeping bag, a change of clothes, underwear, toiletries, a towel, etc.)
- Cash (At most mountain huts, it is not possible to pay by credit card or debit card.)
- Head torch/small torch, rechargeable batteries, spare batteries, mobile phone charging cable
- Camera, binoculars, pocket knife
- Personal medication, earplugs, blister plasters, headache tablets, magnesium tablets, etc.
- ID, insurance cards (e.g. Alpine Club membership card)
- Plastic bags for rubbish and/or dirty laundry
- Possibly a travel log/diary, playing cards, etc.
Mountain rescue operations are not free! By taking out mountain rescue cover in good time (e.g. . travel insurance from Europäische Reiserversicherung or as a a sponsor of the Tyrolean Mountain Rescue Service, as a member of the Alpine Club, via the ÖAMTC/ADAC, or through credit cards and private accident insurance policies), your mountain rescue costs may be covered by the insurance up to the specified limit.
Please note! Health insurance providers do not cover rescue from alpine emergencies!
