The Wilder Kaiser and Zahmer Kaiser Mountains dominate the Alps at the border between Germany and Austria
Image gallery: Kaiser Mountains
At the eastern Inn riverside near Kufstein there are two nearly parallel mountain chains: Wilder Kaiser and Zahmer Kaiser. The southern mountain chain, the Wilder Kaiser, is completely situated in Tyrol and borders further south on the Kitzbühel Alps. The Zahmer Kaiser rises in the north, followed by the Chiemgau Alps. Their natural junction is the 1,577 m high Stripsenjoch.
The Wilder Kaiser (literally: Wild Emperor) is surrounded by best developed valleys and holiday destinations: Perfect starting point for hikes are Kufstein, Scheffau, Ellmau, Going and St. Johann in Tirol. The peaks of the Zahmer Kaiser (Gentle Emperor) - except for the Vordere Kesselschneid - don't reach the 2,000-metres mark. There is also a third Kaiser in the region: the Niederkaiser (Low Emperor), a little mountain ridge and charming viewpoint that is not higher than the timber line.
Peaks: Some of the most important mountains of the Wilder Kaiser are the Ellmauer Halt (2,344 m a.s.l.), the Sonneck (2,200 m a.s.l.) and the Goinger Halt (2,242 m a.s.l.). Well-known peaks of the Zahmer Kaiser are Mt. Vordere Kesselschneid (2,002 m a.s.l.) and Mt. Pyramidenspitze.
Trails: Via the Jubilee fixed-rope route in the Wilder Kaiser you can scale the Ellmauer Tor. It starts at the Gruttenhütte Mountain Hut, a popular hiking destination and rest point itself. The Zahmer Kaiser, however, is best-known for its small skiing area. Also the low mountain of the Niederkaiser has got several surprises to offer, including the most beautiful waterfall of the Kaiser Mountains.
