ROUTE 60

Kufstein (Eichelwang: 500m) – Hinterbärenbad (829m) – Hans-Berger-Haus (936m)

Start	Kufstein (Eichelwang: 500m)
Distance	9km (one way)
Height gain	531m
Height loss	95m
Grade	2
Time	3hrs (+ 2hrs return)
Location	Northeast of Kufstein

This walk explores the deep and romantic Kaisertal which carves a trench between the Zahmer (‘tame’) Kaiser and dramatically abrupt slabs of the Wilder Kaiser. Although heavily wooded, the valley is scenically impressive, for when lit by the sun, the great north face of the Wilder Kaiser is breathtakingly beautiful. Two mountain huts are visited, and in the early stages of the walk a couple of gasthöfe provide additional opportunities for refreshment.

Eichelwang, where the route begins, is a suburb of Kufstein northeast of the town centre, and is reached by local bus (ask for the Kaisertal stop). Should you have your own transport, there’s a pay-and-display car park at the entrance to the Kaisertal gorge.

From Eichelwang a seemingly endless flight of steps, in woodland all the way, carries the start of the walk up the north side of the Kaiserbach ravine. A sign near the foot of the steps announces several destinations, including the Anton-Karg-Haus and the Stripsenjoch, and after climbing about 100m the gradient eases along a contouring track. Should you see vehicles parked on this track, and wonder how they managed to get there, the answer is – they were winched up!

Before long the broad path/track makes a steady rise and leaves woodland for open sloping meadows. About 30mins from the start you come to Gasthof Vietenhof (709m, refreshments) from which there are fine views upvalley. When the track forks about 10mins later, take the right branch (the upper path goes to Ritzenalm and the Vorderkaiserfelden Hut), but when it forks again in another 3mins, this time you take the upper route. Immediately after passing a shrine, an alternative path slopes down ahead to Gasthof Enzian. Ignoring this keep on the main track to pass the Pfandlhof Alpengasthof (refreshments) and cross a sloping meadow with a clear view of the Stripsenjoch at the head of the valley.

Hinterbärenbad

Once again the track forks about 1hr from the start of the walk. Both options go to Hinterbärenbad, but the recommended route here is the upper, left-hand trail which goes through mixed woodland, then emerges shortly before reaching the pretty Antonius Kapelle (840m) – the perfect foreground for a photograph.

Just 1min beyond the chapel there’s a large farm and another junction where you leave the main track and go straight ahead, across meadowland and into more mixed woodland. This is a delightful path, and when it forks you take the lower branch signed to the Hans-Berger-Haus. Making a long and steady descent, eventually rejoin the original track shortly after it leaves a tunnel.

Now in the valley bed, pass a memorial to Anton Karg (1835–1919) with its tiny alpine garden and two bench seats. Keep on the track which continues upvalley, and about 30mins from the Antonius Kapelle you cross a bridge, wander past an attractive chapel built upon a rock, and come to Hinterbärenbad, otherwise known as the Anton-Karg-Haus (829m, accommodation and refreshments), backed by the smooth walls of the Wilder Kaiser giants.

Continue up the track, passing on the right a rock plastered with memorials to climbers who perished in the mountains, just after which you take a narrow footpath going ahead into the woods. This charming woodland trail crosses a stream on a footbridge, rises up a steep flight of steps, recrosses the stream before tackling more steps, then arrives at the Hans-Berger-Haus (936m, accommodation and refreshments) with yet more soaring crags in view. Either this, or the Anton-Karg-Haus, will make a good place to have lunch before returning to Kufstein.

Alternative return routes

• The most direct route back follows the track all the way and will take about 2hrs – although a sign suggests a rather generous 2¾hrs.
• The track which continues past the Hans-Berger-Haus soon runs out, but a footpath then climbs to the Stripsenjoch in another 1¾hrs.
• An alternative trail breaks away below the Stripsenjoch and offers a challenging route across the 2058m Kopftörl to the Grutten Hut in 4½hrs.
• Yet another 4½hr option heads south from the Hans-Berger-Haus to climb through the Scharlingerboden in order to cross the Rote Rinnscharte (2089m) on the south side of Ellmauer Halt, followed by descent to the Grutten Hut.

Note These last two routes are reserved for strong walkers with a good head for heights