Guides and practical tips
Hartkaiser near Ellmau: hiking, cycling and winter walks
Gondola mountain above Ellmau with Wilder Kaiser views, Ellmi's Zauberwelt and summer and winter walks.
The Hartkaiser is the mountain above Ellmau at the foot of the Wilder Kaiser and a good day out from Niederau for hiking in summer and winter walks or skiing in winter. Sources give the summit as about 1,553 m; one tourism route lists 1,562 m as the highest point of a circuit. A 10-seat gondola from Ellmau (valley station at about 804 m) takes you to the top station at about 1,530 m.
From Niederau, Ellmau is roughly 40 km by car, about three quarters of an hour to an hour (approximate). For families there is Ellmi's Zauberwelt at the top station, a play park of about 4,000 sq m. The mountain is not a high-alpine outing but a plateau with easy paths and wide views of the Wilder Kaiser.
Here you can read what is confirmed for summer and winter, how to get there and what to watch out for.
Tips
- Plan half a day: gondola, Ellmi's Zauberwelt and a short circuit are plenty for families.
- The valley station has free parking; arrive early in high season.
- With young children in winter, choose the short Ellmi's winter circuit.
- Check beforehand that the Hartkaiserbahn is running; times change by season.
- Bring rain gear: the weather near the Wilder Kaiser can change quickly.
Always check times, prices and opening dates with the provider beforehand; they can change.
About the mountain
The Hartkaiser lies in the Kitzbühel Alps, facing the Wilder Kaiser, and belongs to the Ellmau area. It is a broad, rolling mountain with a plateau where circuits run on easy paths. The summit is at about 1,553 m; the valley station of the lift at about 804 m. Several walks start from the top and middle stations. In winter Ellmau is part of the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, which has about 270 km of pistes.
Getting there
The valley station of the Hartkaiserbahn is in Ellmau, where parking is free. From Niederau you drive roughly 40 km (about three quarters of an hour to an hour, approximate) via the Brixental or Wörgl and the road towards the Wilder Kaiser area. The 10-seat gondola replaced an old funicular. Check the current operating times before you go, as they differ by season.
Summer: hiking
From the top station, easy circuits run across the plateau and easy paths lead to Scheffau, always with views of the Wilder Kaiser. A longer circular walk of about 15.8 km (around 5.5 hours, roughly 730 m of climbing) starts in Ellmau, passes the Bergdoktorhaus and the Rübezahl-Alm and is described as easy and suitable for families. For smaller children a short outing from the top station is enough; keep an eye on time and the way back.
Summer: family fun
At the top station is Ellmi's Zauberwelt, a family park of about 4,000 sq m designed for children. The park is the main reason many families come here; the exact attractions and opening times vary by season, so ask beforehand. Combine the visit with a short walk and a stop at a hut so the day is not too tiring for little ones.
Summer: cycling
For cyclists there is a loop of about 36.7 km, Ellmau–Söll–Hartkaiser, classed as a mountain bike tour. About 60 percent follows forest, farm or hiking paths, 20 percent a cycle path and 20 percent road. A reviewer says it is also easy to ride on an e-bike. An organised e-bike tour from the Hartkaiser to the Hintersteiner See is also mentioned. Check the current state of the paths and which tracks are open to cyclists.
Winter: skiing and winter walks
In winter Ellmau belongs to the SkiWelt, a large linked ski area with about 270 km of pistes. For those who prefer walking, there are winter walking routes: the Tanzbodensee circuit of about 6.6 km from the Hartkaiser and the short Ellmi's winter circuit of about 1 km, handy with young children. I found no confirmed information on ski touring, snowshoeing or a dedicated toboggan run on the Hartkaiser, so I do not list them here. Check beforehand whether a route is open.
Huts and refreshments
On the way you find the Rübezahl-Alm along the big circuit and the Bergdoktorhaus, known from the TV series. There are also refreshments at the top station. Which huts are open when, and what they serve, changes by season; ask beforehand, especially in the shoulder season.
Safety
Before any tour off the piste in winter, and when winter walking in open terrain, check the Tyrol avalanche bulletin (lawine.tirol.gv.at). This guide does not replace the bulletin and is not a route description to follow blindly: if you do not know the route, go with a mountain guide. In summer the weather can turn quickly; wear sturdy shoes and bring rain gear and water. Keep children close at forest edges and on tracks that cyclists also use.
Frequently asked questions
How high is the Hartkaiser?
Sources give about 1,553 m; the top station is at about 1,530 m.
How far is the Hartkaiser from Niederau?
Roughly 40 km, about three quarters of an hour to an hour by car (approximate).
Is there something for children on the Hartkaiser?
Yes, at the top station there is Ellmi's Zauberwelt, a play park of about 4,000 sq m.
Stay in Niederau Partner
Hotel Wastlhof, partner of Niederau.nl, is a family-run hotel with an indoor and an outdoor pool, wellness and its own riding stables, right in the village. For more places to stay and information you can also contact the Wildschönau tourist office. Personal recommendation, no payment involved.
To Hotel Wastlhof · Wildschönau tourist office · More about staying in Niederau