St. Johann in Tirol is next to Kitzbühel, making it a great spot to tread the 200km of hiking trails to be found between Kitzbüheler Horn and the Wilder Kaiser. Here are five great places to explore...
With natural spectacles such as the Griessbach Gorge in Erpfendorf to find and areas of natural conservation and beauty, like the Kaiserbachtal Valley, to wander in; a trip to St. Johann in Tirol can make for an active and relaxing break. Here are some great places for you to explore:
Try a hike from the summit of Harschbichl (Shutterstock)
With its far-reaching views across the Kitzbüheler Alpen, a ride on the Harschbichlbahn Cable Car up the Kitzbühel Horn is an experience in itself. This is also a convenient way to enjoy the multitude of activities and routes to be found on the mountain, with two stopping points: the mid-way station at Koasaburg; and the top station at Harschbichl. From Harschbichl, the 6km Horn Panorama Circuit is a popular choice that climbs up to the summit with paths crossing alpine pastures and narrow ridges.
Zip down the Harschbichl Singletrail (KurtTropper-5464 via St Johann in Tirol)
The single-track Harschbichl Trail from Koasaburg will be of special interest for mountain bikers. Winding down from the mid-way station to the valley floor, expect to fly through forest thickets and fields, across bridges and, on the final stretch, have the Wilder Kaiser Mountains and the Leukental Valley set before you. For an alternative return journey down to the valley, why not try a thrilling three-wheeled descent on a mountain cart?
Walk by the Eiferbacher Waterfall (Sportalpen via St Johann in Tirol)
An easy walk to the Eifersbacher Waterfall in Winkl-Schattseite is perfect to escape the summer heat. This walk begins from the Eichenhof lifts with meadow trails to farmsteads and paths under shady forests that climb slowly alongside the Eifersbach River. Traversing bridges and gangways, walkers will pass right by the waterfall and feel its cooling spray cascading into the basin below. From the waterfall there is a short climb up to the forest road, which takes you back down into the valley to the hut Grander Schupf, and then back to the starting point.
Teufelsgasse in Gasteig (Sportalpen via St Johann in Tirol)
The trails of Teufelsgasse in Gasteig are guaranteed to set adventurers’ passions alight. The start of this hike is located in the town of Hinterberg, with a 40-minute ascent through the forest takes you up to the plateau of the Leerberg. Hidden here is a labyrinthic gorge, its thin passages carved, they say, straight into the rock by the devil himself to spirit lost souls away.
Explore the moors of Wilder Kaiser (Defrancesco Photography via St Johann in Tirol)
Don’t miss the moors on the south-eastern side of the Kaiser mountains. The sensitive micro-habitats of these wet-lands yield an abundance of wildlife with many species of birds, butterflies, spiders and dragonflies to spy. As you wander the two loop trails that go through these natural gems of the Wilder Kaiser, check out the information panels to help you identify the unique flora and fauna along the way.
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