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Mountaineering and hiking on the Kaunertal Glacier
Only where you were walking, you really were.
This sentence is perfectly descriptive of a hike in the Kaunertal: from the summit victory for which you were prepared to challenge yourself, to insights into nature that can only be gained by consciously hiking on the Kaunertal Glacier. Only then does the full variety of the Kaunertal mountains reveal itself – not only rugged and rocky high mountain terrain, but also gentle alpine meadows, mountain streams and crystal-clear lakes.
Here are our tips for hiking in the Kaunertal and enjoying summer in the mountains.
Overview: Hikes & mountain tours in the Kaunertal
The variety of hikes in the Kaunertal leaves nothing to be desired: In the valley and along the Kaunertal Scenic Road, there are both leisurely hiking routes and extreme tours for summiteers. We have picked out our favourites for you here.
Discover them, for example:
- Family walks & easy hikes in the Kaunertal
- Themed trails around the Kaunertal Glacier & Fendels
- Challenging mountain tours in the Kaunertal
- Long-distance hiking trails that lead through the valley
- Our favourite places along the Kaunertal Glacier Road
- Special hikes & unique experiences
Would you like to get an overview first?
You can find an overview of the Kaunertal, including hikes and mountain tours, in the hiking maps, which can be purchased locally from the tourist offices or sports shops – or directly in the interactive map.
Family walk & leisurely hike in the Kaunertal
Are you looking for easy, family-friendly walks that can be mastered in just a few hours? Then you’ve come to the right place. Discover our selection of child-friendly and gentle hikes in the Kaunertal right away.
Hiking on the Summer Mountain Fendels
Right at the entrance to the Kaunertal, hiking with the family is particularly beautiful. Many of the hikes on the Summer Mountain Fendels are also easy to manage with a buggy. And if you prefer not to make the return journey by foot, hire one of the mountain carts and enjoy the ride back to the valley station.
Walking & circular hiking trails
An exploration tour in the Kaunertal offers many hiking and walking trails, e.g:
Kaunertal valley hiking trail (2.5 h): The circular hiking trail along the valley floor consists of numerous small stages, which can also be walked individually.
Circular hike Kaunerberg – Obertiatsch (2.5 h): Start/end point at the Kaunerberg municipal office – forest paths, pastures and forests.
Hike over the red rocks 1,890m – 2,148m
Gentle hike, taking about 2.5 hours, with spectacular view of the Gepatschferner glacier tongue. The route takes you across alpine pastures to the red rocks, down to the snout in the glacier tongue and then continues on to Fernergarten. Bus back to the Ochsenalm car park at 9.40 am and 2.25 pm daily (bus stop: Oberbirg)
Hikes to the hidden lake 2,400m – 2,679m
The Krummgampental is a small side valley in a remote corner of the Kaunertal valley. Set at lofty heights, the Verborgener See is a charming mountain lake, the “hidden lake”, which will enchant you with its crystal clear water. The starting point for this hike is the panoramic Scenic Road.
Hike in the Kaunertal at low prices now and enjoy the summer to the fullest!
Theme trails & informative hiking trails
An easy to moderately difficult hike that provides an insight into nature and the mountains and turns hiking into an exciting adventure day for children: find the most beautiful themed trails and adventure hikes in the Kaunertal here.
Themed trails in Fendels
At Sommerberg Fendels, you can immerse yourself in the flora and fauna of the Alps on several themed trails:
On the forest bathing trail, you can breathe in the scents of the forest and find peace and quiet.
The animal nature trail to the Fendler Alm invites you to learn more about the local animal species in a fun way.
The barefoot path is a highlight for the little ones, but also brings back happy childhood memories for parents.
Kaunertal nature & play trail
A family highlight starts at the Hotel Weisseespitze in the Platz district: the nature and play trail is home to lovingly designed play stations that can be discovered and tried out in around 1.5 hours. A large part of the trail is also accessible with pushchairs. The stations that are not accessible can be easily bypassed.
Kaunertal Adventure Tour Part 1: Verpeil Gorge & Eagle's Eye View
The Kaunertal adventure circuit starts in Feichten and takes around 3 hours. It leads into the Verpeil Gorge, along the waterfalls of the Verpeilbach stream to the spectacular suspension bridge that crosses the gorge. It then continues to the Adlerblick viewing platform, which offers a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains of the Kaunertal valley.</p
Kaunertal adventure tour part 2: Knappensteig
Descend via the Knappensteig trail, which tells the story of mining in the Kaunertal. Two mining tunnels from the 17th century can be explored along the way.
Note: Surefootedness & a head for heights are required.</p
Ambitious mountain tours in the Kaunertal
If you are looking for sporty and challenging tours, hiking on the Kaunertal Glacier is just right for you. Perhaps you would like to scale a summit at dizzying heights or climb a climbing route – you are sure to find what you are looking for among the following Kaunertal mountain tours.
Zirbenweg trail 1,786m – 2,064m
After the dam wall, follow the road on the left bank for a further 2.5 km (bus stop!). Turn left onto path no. 25 and go through the forest to the hunting lodge. Cross the Oberer Hapmesboden towards Wurmetal, there change to alpine path no. 26 and continue to the site of the old Bliggalpe hut. Below the Gepatschhaus inn, you arrive back on the Glacier Road. Return possible by bus.
Mountain tour to Weißseespitze 2,750m – 3,518m
Starting point is the glacier car park. You follow the trail of the Weißseeferner lift over gravel and ski fields and cross the exposed western ridge to the glaciated peak. We advise booking a mountain guide!
Climbing in the Fernergarten
Young and old, professionals and beginners – everyone finds his climbing route in the Fernergarten. Imposing rock formations cut by glacier ice and a roaring torrent which has to be crossed over several bridges. The “Holderli Sepp” Klettersteig leads over 140 meters up to the “Schnapsloch” – a highlight for every climber.
Entry height: 1,940 m, exit: 2,080 m, difference in altitude: 140 m, degree of difficulty: B.
Refreshment tips for your mountain tour in the Kaunertal
For nature lovers who not only want to hike on the Kaunertal Glacier in summer, but also want to get to know the entire Kaunertal Nature Park and Glacier Region.
Refreshment tips for your mountain tour in the Kaunertal
As everywhere else, a hearty meal is always part of hiking and mountain walking in the Kaunertal. Here you can take a breather during your hike, recharge your batteries and savour regional delicacies:
Long-distance hiking trails through the Kaunertal
Multi-day hut hikes in Austria are only for experienced hikers, but with the right level of fitness, the following long-distance hiking trails through the Kaunertal have the potential to be the highlight of your summer.
Kaunergrat Tour
The five-day Kaunergrat tour covers approx. 70 km and almost 5,000 metres in altitude. Highlights include the wonderful natural landscape of the Kaunergrat Nature Park and the fantastic views of the Kaunertal and Pitztal valleys. There are several serviced huts along the way:
Section 1: Kaunergrat Nature Park House – Verpeil Hut
Section 2: Verpeilhütte – Kaunergrathütte
Section 3: Kaunergrathütte – Tiefentalalm
Section 4: Tiefentalalm – Söllbergalm
Section 5: Söllbergalm – Kaunergrat Nature Park House
Kaunertal: part of the E5 hiking trail
Part of the E5 European Hiking Trail can also be travelled through the Kaunergrat Nature Park. In this case, you take the first two stages – from the Kaunergrat Nature Park House to the rustic Kaunergrathütte. Your efforts will be rewarded with an unforgettable panoramic view.
Accommodation for hikes in the Kaunertal
Tired hikers will find a diverse selection of inviting accommodation with warm hospitality in the Kaunertal. Whether hotels, guesthouses or holiday flats – book your stay in the nature park and glacier region now.
Hiking along the Kaunertal Glacier Road: Our favourite places
Lovingly marked with a red heart in the brochure and along the glacier road, we take you to particularly beautiful places in the Kaunertal mountains. Rushing streams, crystal-clear mountain lakes or viewing points with impressive mountain panoramas – we show you our power spots for body, mind & soul.
Stone pine cinema - Station 18
In the stone pine cinema in the middle of the light pine forest, all channels are available in HD and in nature. Sheltered by the shady green of the stone pines, you take a comfortable seat in the open-air cinema. From this vantage point, your eyes sweep over the mountain landscape as if watching a film with powerful images.
Rifflbach waterfall – Station 23
The Riffltalbach rises at about 2,800 m above sea level. On its way down into the valley – it flows into the Faggenbach in the Fernergarten – it passes through various landscape forms and stages: One time it gently ripples as a stream through the mountain meadows, another time it thunders as a waterfall over a rocky cliff. The sound of the water has a balancing effect on the spirit!
Seelesseen lake – Station 25
Directly from the Kaunertal Scenic Road you can hike comfortably in 20 minutes to the small lakes where amphibians and frogs can be observed. The view of the Gepatsch glacier tongue is unique here
Weißsee – Station 28
The legend of the lost paradise surrounds the Weißsee: “Once, the foot of the snow-white glacier protruded into the turquoise-blue water, flowers blossomed on the shore in countless colourful splendour and the shepherds of the Oberbirg loved this place. Lying in the sun, they dreamed of the woman of the white lake…”
A round of the lake takes about 20 min. If you start to the left, it has a calming effect; to the right, it invigorates the mind.
Unique experiences while hiking at the Kaunertal Glacier
If you are in the mood for something out of the ordinary, we would like to recommend the following tips in addition to hiking in the Kaunertal valley:
Starry hike at the glacier
Hiking on the Kaunertal Glacier at night is unforgettable: high up, far from towns and artificial light, the dark night sky shows itself in all its glory.
Walk-in Crevasse
If you go hiking in Kaunertal in summer, you can combine the excursion with a guided tour through the eternal ice: 15 minutes’ walk from the Glacier Centre at 2,750 metres, you can marvel at 100-year-old ice in the accessible glacier crevasse.