Kaiserwinkl Region

Rolling hills with a rocky crown – this wide valley between the Kaiser Mountains to the south and the foothills of the Chiemgau Alps to the north is home to the Kaiserwinkl Region.

The Kaiserwinkl region in the east of Tirol lies between the mighty Kaiser Mountains to the south and the Chiemgau Alps to the north. Its landscape is characterised by rolling hills crowned by the craggy peaks of the Wilder Kaiser mountains. The largest settlement, Kössen, has a population of 4,200 and is famous for its impressive farmhouses with decorative paintings depicting traditional scenes. This town in the east of the region lies on the Tiroler Ache, a rushing mountain river which is popular with watersports enthusiasts. Rettenschöss, the region’s smallest village, is the opposite to busy and bustling Kössen and ideal for those looking to get away from it all. It too has several large farmhouses, some of which are up to 800 years old. Hikers will find a large network of trails in this western corner of the Kaiserwinkl region, including a number crossing the nearby border to Bavaria.

Haven for hot-air ballooning and cross-country skiing

Lake Walchsee lies at the heart of the Kaiserwinkl region and shares its name with the surrounding municipality. During the summer months it is a popular destination for swimming, waterskiing and pedalo trips out onto its turquoise waters. In winter the ski resorts Hochkössen and Zahmer Kaiser provide skiers and snowboarders with an excellent selection of slopes. Cross-country skiing fans are spoilt for choice in this region home to several cross-country skiing centres and a large network of well-maintained trails. An annual highlight is the week-long “Alpin Ballooning” festival held every January which sees hot air balloons in many different colours take to the skies above Kaiserwinkl for a series of competitions and races.

The Kaiserwinkl region in the east of Tirol lies between the mighty Kaiser Mountains to the south and the Chiemgau Alps to the north. Its landscape is…

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Holiday activities in Kaiserwinkl Region








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Fancy a cross-border wildwater rafting excursion? Watersports enthusiasts can choose from several routes starting in Kössen and leading along the Tiroler Ache via the Klobensteinschlucht canyon as far as the village of Schleching in Bavaria. A great activity for all the family., © Tirol Werbung/Uhlig Bernd
Rafting on the Tiroler Ache

Fancy a cross-border wildwater rafting excursion? Watersports enthusiasts can choose from several routes starting in Kössen and leading along the Tiroler Ache via the Klobensteinschlucht canyon as far as the village of Schleching in Bavaria. A great activity for all the family.



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Experience the unique feeling of swooping high above the mountains and lakes of the Alps. Kössen is popular with paragliders in summer and has its own flying school where novices can enjoy tandem flights in the company of an experienced guide., © Tirol Werbung/Josef Mallaun
A bird’s eye view of the Kaiserwinkl region

Experience the unique feeling of swooping high above the mountains and lakes of the Alps. Kössen is popular with paragliders in summer and has its own flying school where novices can enjoy tandem flights in the company of an experienced guide.



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Thanks to its wide, flat valley floor the Kaiserwinkl region is among the most popular cross-country skiing areas in Austria. The large network of trails caters for all abilities and is equipped with snow-making facilities to ensure perfect conditions throughout the season., © Kaiserwinkl
A haven for cross-country skiers

Thanks to its wide, flat valley floor the Kaiserwinkl region is among the most popular cross-country skiing areas in Austria. The large network of trails caters for all abilities and is equipped with snow-making facilities to ensure perfect conditions throughout the season.



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Every Wednesday between mid-July and September there is a spectacular light, laser and firework show on the shores of Lake Walchsee which sees the waters glow in all the colours of the rainbow. The show is accompanied by live music., © Kaiserwinkl
Light and laser show in the Kaiserwinkl region

Every Wednesday between mid-July and September there is a spectacular light, laser and firework show on the shores of Lake Walchsee which sees the waters glow in all the colours of the rainbow. The show is accompanied by live music.



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With a surface area of 65 hectares, the Schwemm is the largest area of moorland anywhere in North Tirol. Family-friendly guided hikes around the moor are offered once a week., © Kaiserwinkl/Bernhard Bergmann
Hike around the largest moorland area in North Tirol

With a surface area of 65 hectares, the Schwemm is the largest area of moorland anywhere in North Tirol. Family-friendly guided hikes around the moor are offered once a week.



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Ihr Ziel: Postweg 6, Kössen, Österreich

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