Hartkaiser circuit (no. 1 & 3)

Description

Start at the Hiking info point in the centre and follow trail no. 1 to the Faistenbichl district past the famous “Bergdoktorhaus”, the doctor’s practice in the TV series. Carry on to the “Ehemalige Bergschenke” intersection and continue on trail no. 3, a forest road, to the rustic Rübezahl-Alm mountain hut with a terrace and spectacular views of the Wilder Kaiser. This is the start of Austria's longest "Schnitzfigurenweg", a sculpture trail with carved figures (no. 3a) to the Jägerhütte (1,400 m) mountain inn.

The last part is steeply uphill to the Hartkaiser summit station at a height of 1,530 metres. In Ellmi's Zauberwelt (Magic World), children can go treasure hunting in the Fairytale forest whilst the grown-ups explore the nature trail. To return you can follow trail no. 1 on a forest road and a steep forest trail via the Berggasthaus Hochschwendt refreshment stop back to the valley.

Our tip: of course you can also complete a part of the tour using the gondola lift Hartkaiserbahn.

Information

Path surface
The composition of the trail varies from road to hiking trail, gravel path to forest trail.
Recommended equipment
Rucksack, feste Wander-/Bergschuhe mit griffiger Profilsohle, dem Wetter angepasste Wanderbekleidung (atmungsaktiv), Wechselbekleidung, Sonnenschutz (Sonnenbrille, Sonnencreme, Lippenschutz, Kopfbedeckung), Regenschutz (Regenjacke/Poncho, Knirps, Rucksackschutz), Kälteschutz (Mütze, Handschuhe), Verpflegung (ausreichend zu Trinken und Jause), ev. Wanderstöcke (höhenverstellbar), Erste-Hilfe-Ausrüstung inkl. Rettungsdecke & Biwaksack, Mobiltelefon mit vollgeladenem Akku, Stirnlampe, Plastikbeutel für Abfall, Wanderkarte, Tourenbeschreibung und Informationsmaterial (GPX-Track), Ausweis, Versicherungskarte, Bargeld.

Public transport
KaiserJet stop “Dorfplatz Ellmau/Alte Post” or Postbus stop “Ellmau Dorf/Bauhof”. More information at: www.wilderkaiser.info/mobility
Arrival by car
Heading from Wörgl or Kufstein on the B178 road, take the first exit to Ellmau and then take the first exit at the roundabout. Drive along the bypass, then turn towards the centre of Ellmau when you reach the end (between MPreis and the Sporthotel). Continue straight on until you see the Tourist Info on the right-hand side (short-stay parking zone). The hiking starting point is located opposite this on the left-hand side. Heading from St. Johann on the B178 road, take the first exit to Ellmau and drive straight on through the town until you see the Tourist Info on the right-hand side (short-stay parking zone). The hiking starting point is located opposite this on the left-hand side.
Parking
Public car parks in Ellmau centre or west - for free.