Wildschönau
Wild By Name
Take a delightful journey through the Wildschönau Valley in the heart of the Kitzbühel Alps to find peace, wonderful walks and good food.
Mountain Life
With colourful meadows, snug villages, imposing mountains and genuine Tirolean hospitality, all seems right with the world in the Wildschönau Valley. Countless walking paths lead through the secluded alpine valley, well-loved for its charming villages and stunning views. After the hikes, strangers become friends when they sit together in a quaint cabin or traditional guesthouse enjoying delicious local treats and philosophising about life in the mountains.
Cable Cars
With 300km of marked paths winding their way through this idyllic valley, there are always suitable walks to be found for every level of walker. But if you prefer to start off slowly, a trip on one of the two cable cars will ease your way – and it’s free with the Wildschönau Card. Walks with qualified guides are free too.
Soul Food
In the Wildschönau there are eight designated Walking for Enjoyment routes, all with a culinary theme. You can take breakfast on the Gipfö Hit, have an audience with the King of Cheese on the Schönanger Alm, or take a leisurely walk in search of the legendary Wildschönau Krautinger schnapps, a liqueur distilled exclusively in the region.
Heartbeat Moment: Johann Schönauer, cheesemaker at Schönangeralm
‘Up here there’s no family and no private life – it’s just cheese and more cheese. That’s what I live for during these months. I get up early in the morning and go to bed late at night. Sometimes we have up to 34 tons of cheese stored in our cellar.’
Highlights
Sitting high in the Alps at 1,500M is the Markbachjoch, one of the mountains that offers the greatest views over the Kitzbühel Alps and the Wilder Kaiser. It’s also the starting point of many great walks in the area. Hikers in the Wildschönau can take advantage of the Wildschönau Card and take the cable car to the Markbachjoch for free. In one easy trip you can get to the heart of the Tirolean Alps en route to the beautiful Rosskopf and Feldalphorn peaks, or perhaps a gentle stroll to the pretty Markbachjoch chapel. The four-hour hike around the Rosskopf is a great introduction to the area, with awe-inspiring views over the valley and an opportunity to stop off at must-see Holzalm, where you can enjoy home-made cheeses produced by the local master cheesemakers.
Website: wildschoenau.com
Photos: © Rosskopf Wandern • Schönangeralm Sommer
Wildschönau • Almabtrieb Holzalm
