Summit Hike
Kröndlhorn (2.444 m) - Rotwandalm

For lovers of natural, remote hiking routes, this hike in the Windau Valley is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the Kitzbühel Alps. At 13 kilometres in length and with 1,200 vertical metres of altitude gain, it demands a good level of fitness, but the varied landscape en route is a fine reward for all that effort. Hikers pass several small and large ponds, streams, an upland moor and the beautiful Reinkarsee lake. At the summit of the Kröndlhorn (2,444 metres), the highest point in the Windau Valley, there is a magnificent panora with perfect views of the mighty peaks in the Hohe Tauern Mountains. There is even a small chapel at the top of the mountain where mass is celebrated on regular occasions. On the way back, the Rotwand-Grundalm hut is the perfect place for a snack and a drink. The descent is via a forest path and a small forest path via the Kala-Alm hut (food & drink served) back to the starting point.

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Starting point

Baumgartenalm in der Windau

Hike to

Kröndlhorn

Finishing point

Baumgartenalm in der Windau

Mountain chain

Kitzbühel Alps

Length

13.3 km

Total hiking time

8h

Features

Wheelchair-accessible Hiking Route
Circular hike

Difficulty rating

intermediate (red mountain trails)

Altitude

2,444m 1,266m

Elevation uphill 1,210m
Vertical metres downhill 1,210m

Fitness level

Technique

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

* These are approximate values and recommendations. Please take your personal fitness level, technical ability and the current weather conditions into account. Tirol Werbung cannot guarantee that the information provided is correct and accepts no liability.

Public transport

Accessible using public transport

Bus route 4051, get off at stop Westendorf Sennerei

Parking

Parking available at Foisching and next to the Baumgartenalm hut

Places serving food & drink

Rotwand-Grundalm (early June until late September)
Gamskogelhütte (early May until late October; slightly further out of the valley)

Downloads

GPS data: Kröndlhorn - Rotwandalm (gpx)

Trail description

The approach to the Windautal Valley is via a toll road, which is initially tarmac and later unpaved. You can leave your car at the Foisching car park or at the Baumgartenalm hut. The hike begins above the Baumgartenalm, where a yellow signpost leads to the right across a meadow towards Reinkarsee and Kröndlhorn.

The path then repeatedly crosses the farm track to the Oberkaralm. From there, it is another three kilometres of ascent, some of them steep, until you reach the idyllic Reinkarsee lake (2,194 metres). En route you will come across several ponds, streams and an upland moor on a plateau. The route now continues in a south-westerly direction, initially to the rocky Kröndlberg, where there is a section with steel ropes anchored in the rock for extra safety. On its southern side, the Kröndlhorn (2,444 metres) rises just a few metres higher, separated from the Kröndlberg by a saddle. At the end, the trail climbs steeply over boulders up to the summit with its wooden chapel. Hikers can look forward to sweeping views of several mountain ranges, including the Hohe Tauern, home to some of Austria's highest peaks.

The descent initially follows the same route to the Reinkarsee lake. Shortly after the lake, take the path to the right to the Rotwand-Grundalm (1,597 metres), where you can take a break. From there, hike further out of the valley through the Krumbachwald forest until you reach the starting point.