One for everyone — leisure hikers, mountain enthusiasts, families and e‑bikers. Many different variants of the Kitzbühel Alps Trail — KAT WALK or KAT BIKE for short — lead from the valley over gentle grassy mountains and rustic alpine pastures to the panoramic peaks and box seats of the Kitzbühel Alps on up to six stages in Feuer und Eis. You can explore the charming Tyrolean region from the Brixen Valley to the Pillerseetal Valley with the support of mountain railroads or under your own steam. Overnight stays are in cozy guesthouses or luxurious 4‑star hotels, and luggage is transported in comfort. By the way, this moderately difficult long-distance hike can also be enjoyed by furry friends.
KAT WALK KOMPAKT — for pleasure hikers
Hike far and wide, enjoy the peace and quiet and stop off at one of the many cozy Tyrolean mountain huts to feast on regional delicacies. Stress-free, because you can shorten four of the five hiking stages.
The tour starts in Hopfgarten im Brixental, where the cable car shortens and eases the ascent to the Hohe Salve. The highest pilgrimage church on the summit, the Salvensee and Filzalmsee lakes on the descent. In Hochbrixen, tired legs simply float the rest of the way down to the valley by gondola. From Brixen im Thale, continue through picturesque forest and alpine pastures to Kirchberg and then on the third stage to Kitzbühel in the footsteps of the Hahnenkamm race. Recharge your batteries in the legendary town for the last and most challenging stage: it leads over the Kitzbüheler Horn with a 360-degree panorama to St. Johann in Tirol (including a narrow, spectacular rocky path). But don’t worry, the cable cars will help you up and down the mountain. Brave souls can finish the day with a mountain cart ride down into the valley from Harschbichl.
On five hiking days you will cover 83 km and an impressive 5462 meters of altitude and have a very special experience.
KAT WALK ALPIN — for mountain enthusiasts with alpine preferences
Six daily stages, 106 km and over 6300 meters of altitude await fit hikers on this alpine version of the KAT Walk. The long-distance hike starts in Hopfgarten im Brixental, the first stage leads through forests, meadows and across wide alpine pastures to Kelchsau. The route continues the next day to Windau, where short, steeper sections with a total elevation gain of 1140 meters await. At the highest point of the tour, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views — from the Hohe Tauern to the Wilder Kaiser. A long stage of 19 km awaits and leads from Windau to Aschau — including blooming alpine roses. On day five, you reach Kitzbühel as your destination for the day and descend into the valley on the trail of the legendary Hahnenkamm race. Probably the most challenging stage with 21 km and 1250 meters of altitude difference leads over the Kitzbüheler Horn to St. Johann in Tirol. Or the mountain railroad is used for support.
Tip: explore the Alpine garden at the top and stop off at one of the huts — enjoy the sun and regional delicacies with a view. A narrow, rocky path leads spectacularly downhill to Harschbichl, where the next alpine pasture with a terrace with a view back to the Kitzbüheler Horn awaits. From there, you can either walk, take the gondola or a mountain cart down into the valley. On the last stage to St. Ulrich am Pillersee, you cross a lonely plateau with various karst formations, alpine pastures and mountain pines. The rustic Winterstelleralm is on the way down — be sure to stop for a bite to eat! As the stages on this alpine variant each have an altitude difference of approx. 1000 meters and distances of 18 to 21 kilometers, it is only recommended for hikers in good physical condition!
KAT BIKE E‑NJOY — by (e-)bike through the Kitzbühel mountains
Further, faster, higher? That’s not really the point of this multi-day bike version of the KAT-Bike. Enjoy, soak up impressive mountain moments and explore the trails between the Brixental and Pillerseetal valleys! E‑bikers with initial technical knowledge and bikers with a good basic level of fitness will get their money’s worth on this route. Over the course of five days, it leads along the box seats on 164 km and over 3800 meters of altitude difference through the Tyrolean mountains — a challenging route from Mariastein to the remote Windau Valley (stage with 1600 meters of altitude difference) and on to Oberndorf in Tyrol. Along the Brixentaler Ache to the snack station on the Wiegalm and via the Wiegalm single trail (medium difficulty) into the valley. Alternatively, a forest road can also be used for the descent. On day four, the stage is a long 64 km along the cycle path via the pretty, quaint village of Waidring, past the romantic Pillersee lake (plan to stop for a swim) to Fieberbrunn.
The route runs for three stages mainly on gravel, forest and asphalt roads — single trails await on the last two.
KAT WALK FAMILY — with the family through the Kitzbühel Alps
With this special family option, young and old and even the furry friends get their money’s worth. Along the route, climbing parks, puzzle tours, mountain carts, giant swings, a summer toboggan run and lots of playgrounds await discovery. A new route can be chosen every day: the “Stoabock” (ibex) is a little more challenging with more vertical meters, if it’s more leisurely, the “Oachkatzl” (squirrel) awaits the little adventurers. Thanks to the shortcut options, it never gets too strenuous for the hiking kids. From Hopfgarten im Brixental to Brixen im Thale, on to Kirchberg and via Kitzbühel and St. Johann to the final destination in Fieberbrunn. There, the fast-paced coaster in Timok’s Wild World awaits at the end — including a forest ropes course and wildlife enclosure. After four stages and 53 kilometers with 3390 vertical meters, it’s seven days of fun and games.