| Start | Kirchdorf (641m) or St Johann in Tirol (659m) |
| Finish | Kufstein (499m) |
| Distance | 35km |
| Grade | 3 |
| Time | 2 days |
| Location | A west-bound traverse of the Wilder Kaiser’s south flank |
| Highest point | Ackerl Hut ruins (1720m) |
Making a traverse of the south flank of the Wilder Kaiser, the Wilder-Kaiser-Steig was created in 1990 by linking a number of existing trails into a very fine höhenweg suitable for moderate-to-strong walkers. Waymarked with yellow and black paint flashes, the route is guided here and there with WKS signs. Well-maintained, and with a few fixed chain safeguards, the most challenging section lies between the Gaudeamus and Grutten Huts where the route tackles the klettersteig of the Jubilaumssteig (see Route 64). This is a full-blown ‘protected route’ (via ferrata), but should you feel doubtful about attempting it, an alternative is offered along the Klammlweg (described in Route 67).
The Wilder-Kaiser-Steig will take two full days to walk, and an overnight is usually spent in the Grutten Hut, located roughly midway between Kirchdorf and Kufstein. Although refreshment facilities are available in a few isolated places along the route, it is essential to carry plenty of liquids with you, plus enough food to keep you going. Meals are provided, of course, at the Grutten Hut.
Day 1 The route begins near Litzlfelden, between St Johann in Tirol and Kirchdorf, and at once climbs the eastern end of the Wilder Kaiser range, known here as the Niederkaiser. It’s an abrupt start, tackling the Gmailköpfl at 917m, then tracing the ridge westward over and around several minor summits before veering northwest from the 1279m Gscheuerkopf after about 3hrs.
The WKS regains a minor ridge south of the Maukspitze, the most easterly summit of the Wilder Kaiser proper, and comes to the ruins of the former Ackerl Hut (1720m) which was destroyed by fire – a replacement was built nearly 300m below. This is the highest point of the whole walk, and the trail now contours below the Regalspitze before descending a spur and turning northwestward into the great scree fan below Ellmauer Tor and above the Gaudeamus Hut. It is this section that leads to the Jubilaumssteig, but a lower alternative may be taken should you have doubts about tackling the klettersteig. This alternative is the Klammlweg which also ends at the Grutten Hut, about 8–8½hrs from the start.
Day 2 The route from the Grutten Hut to Kufstein is ever-varied and undulating. It may not climb as high as the first stage, nor have any klettersteig to confront, but it’s quite demanding nonetheless. It begins with a broad trail sweeping across the lower flank of Ellmauer Halt, but it then narrows through forest and over the scree strips that hang below Tuxeck. From one of these screes a glimpse is afforded of the Hintersteiner See, almost encircled by forest and lying in the valley ahead. But this is nothing to the magnificent view of the lake that is gained on reaching Steiner Hochalm (1257m) about 2½hrs into the walk. On occasion it’s possible to buy drinks at this alm, when the farmer is in residence.
From Steiner Hochalm to Walleralm the trail is almost entirely in forest, but Walleralm itself is open and sunny, and welcome refreshments can be had at the gasthof there, and also at the farm which lies a short distance below. It will have taken around 4–5hrs to walk this far, and another 2–2½hrs will be required to reach Kufstein, during which you travel through a succession of meadow and woodland, pass isolated farms, small groups of houses with fruit trees, and the charming little chapel of Locherer, before a track takes you down to the outskirts of Kufstein and the broad valley of the Inn. All in all, a delightful two-day expedition; highly recommended.
Wilder-Kaiser-Steig near the Grutten Hut