Scheffau Am Wilden Kaiser: Lake, Hiking and SkiWelt

Scheffau Am Wilden Kaiser can be explored through a variety of destinations: from a mountain lake and a circular hike to a mountain railway, ski area and historic sacred architecture. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the different highlights and their seasonal conditions. Hintersteiner See and the Rehbachklamm Gorge are all about nature and trails; the Brandstadlbahn provides access to the mountain station and KaiserWelt, while SkiWelt Scheffau offers connections in several directions. Churches and chapels add historic landmarks to the mix.

Nature and hiking trails

Hintersteiner See is a mountain lake in the Wilder Kaiser nature reserve. It lies at an altitude of 883 metres above Scheffau, covers an area of 56 hectares and is up to 36 metres deep. On the eastern shore, the lido has a lawn. As operating details are seasonal, check current opening information before your visit. The hiking bus to Hintersteiner See runs daily during the summer months, from May to October. Check the timetable for your travel date so you can plan your trip around the available services.

One specific hiking option is the Rehbachklamm Gorge and Seilabodenkreuz family circular hike. It passes through the Rehbachklamm Gorge and via the Kaiseralm and Jägerwirt before returning to the center of Scheffau. These named stops give the route a clear itinerary; returning to the village center is also part of the trail. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out.

The Kaiserkrone Trail Ultra has a different focus: the official trail-running event route starts and finishes in the village center. The two options therefore differ in activity and route: one is a circular hike with named stops, while the other is a trail-running event route that starts and finishes in the center.

Mountain railway, KaiserWelt and SkiWelt

The Brandstadlbahn is an eight-person gondola lift that runs in two stages to an altitude of 1,650 metres. Its operating times are seasonal, so check the timetable for your travel period if you plan to visit the mountain station. KaiserWelt Scheffau, an adventure park for families with interactive stations, an adventure trail and panoramic views, is located there. KaiserWelt also offers a treasure hunt through the KaiserWald forest to find the old emperor’s seven gemstones. It begins after the ride on the Brandstadl gondola lift. You can plan this trip around the gondola ride, park and treasure hunt.

For skiers, SkiWelt Scheffau is a key starting point for the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental ski area. Ski connections lead towards Ellmau, via Brixen to KiWest, and to Söll. Lift and slope operations are seasonal. This seasonal difference can also help you choose when to travel: the hiking bus to the lake runs daily from May to October, while lift and slope operations are seasonal.

Churches and chapels

The Bärnstatt Chapel – St. Leonhard Chapel stands on the road to Hintersteiner See, opposite the Gasthof Bärnstatt. The original Chapel of Grace next to it was built as early as 1693. Scheffau Parish Church of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist offers a different historical perspective: it has had its present Baroque form since 1756. The wall paintings are by Matthias Kirchner of Kitzbühel. Together, the chapel and parish church offer different ways to appreciate the town’s sacred architecture.

Discover more destinations: Asching, Radfeld, Brixlegg, Mühlthal, Niederndorf, Rettenschöss, Oberau Wildschönau, Ebbs

View the overview of destinations: Kufstein.