Emperor’s Crown Trail

Your journey begins with your arrival in Going, a serene and authentic village at the foot of the Wilder Kaiser range. This special place radiates calm and tranquillity, offering a unique landscape featuring rugged cliffs, meadows, and dense forests. Spend your day exploring the idyllic village, taking in panoramic views of the Wilder Kaiser mountain range, and experiencing the living craftsmanship and tradition. Enjoy the evening in one of the local inns, preparing for the hiking adventure that awaits.

You’ll catch a free hiking bus to the starting point of your hike, Hüttling. From there, the trail leads you through the forest, past the enchanting Stiegenbach Waterfall, and up to the Obere Regalm, a spot known for its homemade regional delicacies. You’ll continue uphill to the Baumgartenköpfl and be rewarded with panoramic views of the Wilder Kaiser in the north and the Kitzbühel Alps and Hohe Tauern mountain range in the south.

Here, the trail descends to the Gaudeamushütte mountain hut and then leads towards Gruttenhütte via Klamml, a steep yet fascinating path secured with a ladder and several iron clamps. The day ends at the Gruttenhütte, the highest mountain hut in the Wilder Kaiser region, offering a beautiful sun terrace and a view of the Ellmauer Halt, the highest summit at 2,344 meters.

You’ll depart from the Gruttenhütte toward the west, soon joining the Wilder-Kaiser-Steig trail beneath the Kaiserkopf mountain. As you traverse beneath the Treffauer and Tuxeck summits, you’ll pass through aromatic mountain pines and forests. The Kaiser-Hochalm Alpine pasture offers a picturesque photo opportunity. You’ll continue on the trail to the Steiner-Hochalm mountain hut (note: only drinks are served here). The trail then traverses the slopes above the crystal-clear Hintersteiner See.

On this path, you’ll reach Walleralm, an Alpine hamlet at the foot of the Zettenkaiserkopf mountain. After a refreshing stop, you’ll continue across the Alpine meadows and through the forest to the cross on Hochegg mountain. From there, you’ll hike slightly downhill across gentle Alpine pastures to the cozy Kaindlhütte mountain hut at the Steinbergalm.

You’ll wake up to the beautiful setting of a green mountain pasture on a bright summer morning. The trail will then lead you past the Talofenschlucht gorge and the north face of the Hackenköpfe mountains before reaching the Anton-Karg-Haus mountain hut. After hiking through the forest and over serpentines, you’ll get to the Stripsenjochhaus mountain hut to settle in for the night.

From the hut, you’ll traverse a scenic ridge blanketed with mountain pines, heading towards the Feldberg summit. On your journey along it, you’ll pass the Frankenländer Nadel formation and ascend to the aforementioned mountain peak.

From here, you’ll descend through the picturesque Obere Scheibenbichlalm Alpine pasture into the serene Kaiserbachtal Valley nature reserve. After reaching the valley, you’ll follow the trail east toward Griesenau. The final stretch of the trail leads through a beautiful forest, ending your day in the charming village of Gasteig.

Starting in Gasteig, you’ll hike through the woods along the forest road, passing the Rodelhütte mountain hut, and the Bacheralm refreshment stop. After traversing a passage secured with steel rope, you’ll reach the Ursulablick viewpoint, offering a view over the Kitzbühel Alps and the Maukspitze summit.

The trail continues along a wonderfully soft forest floor on the way to a gentle Alpine pasture landscape. You’ll pass the Graspoint-Hochalm. The day ends as you descend into the valley, returning to the starting point in Going. As the sun sets, enjoy one last evening in the tranquil village before departing for the airport the next day.

After completing the hike, you’ll return to Going for a well-deserved rest. Take this day to relax and reflect on your journey. Perhaps visit the Going bathing lake or explore the varied activities and excursion destinations in the area.