- Imbachhorn (2.470 m)
- Großes Wiesbachhorn (3.564 m)
- Klockerin (3.425)
- Mittlerer- (3.356 m) und
- Großer Bärenkopf (3.401 m)
- Hohe Riffl (3.338 m)
- Hocheiser (3.206 m)
- Grießkogel (3.066 m)
- Kitzsteinhorn (3.023 m)
Kapruner Tal
Kaprun
Summits and crossings
Summits:
Crossings:
- via Kapruner Törl (2.639 m) via Austriaweg to Rudolf alpin hotel or Stubachtal
- via Obere Bockkarscharte (Keilscharte) (3.187 m) to Oberwalder Hütte lodge
- via Bratschenkopfscharte (3.413 m) or
- via Gruberscharte (3.092 m) (Biwak) to Schwarzenberghütte lodge
Secrets of the gorge
South of the power station, the Bürgkogel mountain top blocks the valley. The waters of the Kapruner Ache river rush through the impressive Sigmund-Thun gorge with much roaring. It is 300 m long, well accessible and shows wonderful cauldron-shaped erosions in the blue-grey blueschist. The Bürgkogel itself has been serving as a dwelling place for humans since around 1800 BC, later on for the Celts and then the Romans as a fortification. Kaprun itself was mentioned in documents as early as in the year 931 in the Codex Odalberti. Kaprun valley is, compared to some other Tauern valleys, low in important minerals, yet gold was still panned for here in the area of the Grubalpe.
Moors, moss and natural forests.
In front of the entrance to the valley, as a special natural history feature of the valley floor, lies a remarkable moorland, the Filzmoos - a silted up late glacial lake. The mixed deciduous forest by Kesselfalls is an ancient stand with harewood, common beech, elm, linden, ash and hazel plus the odd spruce. Such forests are rare in the Hohe Tauern. Many mosses and lichen thrive here as do various birds that inhabit the forest. Where the treeline begins, which is located at only around 1,800 m altitude for anthropogenic and partially climatic reasons (precipitation up to 3,000 mm per year), extensive dwarf-shrub heathland and alpine sedge and autumn moor grass as well as pioneer vegetation follow.
Between the poles of nature and economy
Kaprunertal valley is today characterised by reservoirs, power stations and power lines. The Schmiedingerkees glacial area at Kitzsteinhorn has been developed for tourism. Power stations and ski tourism are of great economic importance. The boundaries of the national park thus only begin far into the valley. Natural mountain lakes are rare in Kaprunertal. On the other hand, access to the 3,000- metre peaks of the Glockner Group and its fascinating glacial world is relatively easy thanks to the shortness of the valley and its infrastructure development. In the glacier forefield of Karlinger Kees, many different stages of colonisation by plants can be found in a small space. Next to bare spots we can find lichen lawn, cushion plant meadows and scrubs abundant in dwarf willow. This includes the Swiss willow, rare in Salzburg, which can be easily identified by its white-felty leaves. Wonderful glacial polishes and streams can be admired.
Great views
Alpine world: The Imbachhorn Peak
Past weathered green spruce the hike leads across alpine lawns along the ridge up to Imbachhorn, one of the most scenic panoramic mountains in the region.
On the way we come across alpine plants and animals, such as edelweiss, gentian and alpine rose. The trail over the Brandlscharte to the lower terminus of the Kitzsteinhorn cable car should only be chosen in dry weather. It leads across grass heaths (arnica, bellflower...) down to grey alder and harewood. Bus connection back to Kaprun.
Walking time: Ascent from Kaprun approx. 6 hours, Descent approx. 3 hours (via Brandlscharte, only in dry weather) or 5 hours (via Neumayer Alm).
Iceworld: The glacier forefield of Kaprun - Karlinger Kees
Several distinctly highly distinct glaciers flow between Wiesbachhorn and Kapruner Törl in direction of Mooserboden. Ice booms, glacier snouts and many different trace of glacial activity can be observed at close range. From Mooserboden you walk along the dam walls of Moosersperre and Drossensperre reservoirs (2,045 m) and along Austriaweg no. 717 on the east banks of the Moosboden reservoir to its southern end. A hike across the Kapruner Törl into Stubachtal to Rudolfshütte can be done in a total of 5 hours.
Walking time: approx. 1½ hours for going up, Caution: danger of rockfalls!
