Hut-to-Hut Trekking in the Hohe Tauern
Between Waterfalls, Glacier Worlds, and Rustic Alpine Pastures 🏔️💧🥾
For those who wish to experience the mountains in their purest and most intense form, the Hohe Tauern National Park offers a truly breathtaking backdrop. On this hut-to-hut trek, you will hike through one of Austria’s most magnificent high-alpine landscapes, surrounded by mighty 3,000-meter peaks, glaciated mountain flanks, and pristine valleys 🌿🏔️. Four nights spent in rustic alpine huts turn this journey into an extraordinary mountain experience far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
A powerful natural spectacle awaits right at the beginning: the Krimml Waterfalls. Tumbling over three stages, the ice-cold mountain water plunges a total of 380 meters into the depths below 💦. Afterwards, the surroundings become quieter and more untouched. The trail leads through alpine vegetation and wide high-pastures to the historic Krimmler Tauernhaus, and further into the core zone of the national park.
Upon reaching the Warnsdorfer Hütte, you will find yourself in an exceptionally impressive spot amidst the mountain world. On the sun terrace, traditional Pinzgau hut delicacies taste twice as good with views of the surrounding 3,000-meter peaks 😋⛰️. Later on, the trail weaves through flower-filled mountain meadows, traditional mountain farms, and peaceful alpine landscapes. The vividly colored Blausee (Blue Lake) rests like a small jewel between the mountains, while the route continuously offers inviting options for a cozy stop.
The wild side of the Hohe Tauern reveals itself with particular impact as you journey through the glacier landscape ❄️💙. Crossing boulder fields and skirting steep rock faces, you will reach a bright blue glacier lake, whose water forms a fascinating contrast to the white expanses of the glacier. Mighty stone pines, traditional stone huts, and panoramic alpine pastures accompany you on the way back.
Culinary delights are also an essential part of the hut experience on this trip. A hearty Brettljause (platter of cold meats and cheeses), dumplings, strudel, or a freshly prepared Kaiserschmarrn taste exceptionally rewarding after an eventful day of hiking 🥘🥞. And with a bit of luck, you might spot marmots, chamois, or even golden eagles in their natural habitat along the way 🦅.
The daily stages lead along alpine paths, forest roads, and rugged mountain trails. A good level of fitness, sure-footedness, and a head for heights are required for the longer ascents and more demanding sections 👣. In return, you will be rewarded with peaceful valleys, striking high-altitude trails, and a mountain world that has remained wonderfully untamed in many places.
This hut-to-hut tour through the Hohe Tauern National Park is a journey straight into the heart of the mountains. Roaring waterfalls, crystal-clear mountain lakes, glaciers, rustic huts, and the towering summits of the 3,000-meter peaks guarantee days filled with unforgettable nature experiences and authentic mountain moments ✨💚.
Day 1
Arrival in Krimml
Welcome to the Hohe Tauern. The quaint village of Krimml, nestled at the foot of the waterfalls, invites you to take a stroll in the crisp mountain air. Admire the traditional farmsteads and the surrounding mountains.
Hotel (example): Nationalparkhotel Klockerhaus
Day 2
Krimml – Krimmler Tauernhaus
The Krimml Waterfalls, one of the most beautiful natural spectacles in the Alps, captivate visitors with their three tiers. Ice-cold mountain water cascades down from a height of 380 meters. Listen to the roar of the rushing water. Beautiful alpine vegetation, idyllic high-altitude alpine pastures, and seemingly endless expanses await you. Your route leads to the historic Krimmler Tauernhaus. From there, you can take an afternoon hike along the Rainbach stream to the alpine pasture.
Hotel (example): Krimmler Tauernhaus
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Day 3
Circular walk Krimmler Tauernhaus
Today, you’ll head into the heart of the national park. Via the Innerkeesalm, you’ll ascend to the Warnsdorfer Hütte, a rustic mountaineering lodge operated by the Alpine Club. Here, you can enjoy traditional Pinzgau mountain delicacies on the sun terrace and take in magnificent views of the surrounding 3,000-meter peaks. Experienced hikers can climb to the summit of the Gamsspitzl and enjoy the view of the glaciated slopes of the Großvenediger massif. Afterward, you’ll hike back through the Achental Valley to the Tauernhaus.
Hotel (example): Krimmler Tauernhaus
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Day 4
Krimmler Tauernhaus – Neukirchen
The National Park Taxi will take you down to the valley. There, you’ll begin your hike on the southern side of the Pinzgau Saalach Valley, in the Kitzbühel Alps. The sound of cowbells will accompany you as you pass beautiful mountain farms, steep alpine pastures and flower-strewn meadows. Passing through the Trattenbach Gorge, you’ll reach the Rechtegg Inn, which offers panoramic views of the Großvenediger glaciers. The Sonnenweg trail soon leads downhill toward Neukirchen.
Hotel (example): Hotel Kammerlander
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Day 5
Neukirchen – Sulzbachtäler
You’ll cross the Salzach River and hike through the expansive Sulzau meadows to the strikingly coloured Blausee. You’ll then follow the Kampriesensteig trail up into the idyllic alpine pasture landscape, where numerous huts line the path. Along the way, it’s worth taking a detour to the waterfall or the secluded Seebachsee. At the Berndlalm, you can enjoy a delicious Kaiserschmarrn and the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the hut.
Hotel (example): Berndlalm
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Day 6
Circular walk Sulzbachtäler
Explore the core zone of the national park today. The varied glacier trail takes you through rugged scree landscapes and along steep rock faces up to the glacial lake. The light blue water forms a striking contrast to the brilliant white glacial snow. The return route takes you past scenic alpine pastures dotted with towering Swiss stone pines and traditional stone huts before you arrive back at the Berndlalm.
Hotel (example): Berndlalm
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Day 7
Sulzbachtäler – Krimml
To round off your week of hiking, a trail leads you over the striking Bettlerscharte into the Untersulzbachtal Valley. Here, vast wilderness areas stretch all the way to the end of the valley. A break at the Stockeralm will treat you to homemade farm-style fare and give you the energy you need for the varied rest of the hike along the ‘Blick ins Tauernfenster’ geotrail. Passing the viewing platforms by the waterfall, you’ll hike along the gorge and cross the Untersulzbach at the valley’s end. A short bus ride will take you back to Krimml.
Hotel (example): Nationalparkhotel Klockerhaus
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Day 8
Departure or extension
Departure or extension
Requirements for hikers
Summary
- Arrival Saturday
- Total approx 104 km over 6 hiking days
- 7 nights
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- Transfer Krimmler Tauernhaus – Krimml
- Travel documents and GPS data
- Service hotline
- from 969,- € per person
- Transfers not included (approx. €4 per person)
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National Park conservation fee not included
(approx. €10 per person)
Facts about the Hohe Tauern National Park
- Location: The Hohe Tauern National Park is located within the Austrian federal states of Salzburg, Tyrol, and Carinthia.
- Size: Covering an area of approximately 1,856 square kilometers, it is the largest national park in the entire Alpine region.
- Dimensions: The national park extends roughly 100 kilometers from west to east and about 40 kilometers from north to south.
- Highest Peak: The highest point is the Großglockner at 3,798 meters, which is also the highest mountain in Austria.
- Peaks: More than 300 mountain summits reach an elevation of over 3,000 meters.
- Water: The park is home to 332 glaciers and 551 mountain lakes, along with numerous glacial streams and waterfalls.
- Krimml Waterfalls: Plunging a total of 380 meters over three cascades, the Krimml Waterfalls are among the most impressive natural sights in the region.
- Flora: More than one-third of all plant species recorded in Austria can be found within the national park.
- Wildlife: Characteristic wild animals include the alpine ibex, chamois, marmot, golden eagle, and bearded vulture.