This walk to the Hundalm cave in the Brandenberg Alps offers not only wonderful views of the Kitzbühel Alps and Zillertal Alps but also the chance to take a look inside the mountain itself. This is the only cave of its kind, with ice formations and stalactites, open to the public anywhere in the Alps of Tirol. Experts are on hand to guide visitors through the complex up to 45 metres below the surface, exploring a fascinating world of ice, stalagmites and stalactites. Sturdy footwear and warm clothing are recommended throughout the year - temperatures are around 0°C even in summer. This walk is relatively long and therefore only suitable for hikers with good fitness levels. Sure footing is required on certain sections.
Circular Walk
Starting point
Mariastein, pilgrimage church
Hike to
Hundalm ice and stalactite cave
Finishing point
Mariastein, pilgrimage church
Mountain chain
Brandenberg Alps (Rofan)
Length
17.5 km
Total hiking time
7 h 30 min
Features
- Wheelchair-accessible Hiking Route
- Circular hike
Difficulty rating
intermediate (red mountain trails)
Altitude
1,496m 555m
Elevation uphill 1,070m
Vertical metres downhill 1,070m
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
Parking
Parking available next to the parish church in the village
Places serving food & drink
- Buchackeralm (overnight accommodation available)
- Höhlensteinhaus (early May until the end of October)
- Various locations in Mariastein
Downloads
Trail description
The walk begins at the pilgrimage church in Mariastein. From the main road ("Landesstraße") head right and cross over a stream before continuing across a meadow. After passing the "Haus Rudolf", turn sharp left onto a small road called "Badl". Follow this for a few hundred metres in a westerly direction until you reach a farmstead on your right-hand side. Turn right there, then continue up past several houses to the edge of the forest. Take the road heading right and walk up through the forest towards the "Höhlensteinhaus", At a clearing in the forest, branch off left onto a trail. This trail is relatively flat initially, then becomes steeper as it skirts the lower slopes of the Feuerköpfl mountain. Soon you will see the "Höhlensteinhaus" on your right – a good place for a rest. Continue along the trail known as the "Adlerrunde" in a westerly direction, across the Köglalpe meadows and then in a south-westerly direction gently uphill to the Hundalm cave. There, follow the signs for the cave. After enjoying a guided tour of the cave complex, which takes around 30 minutes, return via the Buchackeralm hut serving hearty local food. From there, follow the signs for Mariastein – either on the wide track or the narrower trail, which is steep in places but quicker.
Information on place
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