Designated a nature reserve in 1963, the Kaiser Mountains stretch across an area of ​​just over 92 km². They encompass all the peaks of the Wilder Kaiser and Zahmer Kaiser ranges, as well as the adjacent Niederkaiser. With its diverse habitats, the nature reserve provides a habitat for a multitude of highly specialized animal and plant species. Due to its rugged rock faces and imposing peaks, the Kaiser Mountains are also a popular destination for alpine climbers and hikers.

The flora of the Kaiser Mountains is shaped in many places by human use: in the alpine pastures, one finds typical hay meadows, dry grasslands, and pastures. The forested areas consist primarily of mixed forests of beech, silver fir, and spruce; at higher elevations, also ash, sycamore maple, and alder; and even higher up, dwarf shrubs such as mountain pine and alpine roses.

The Kaiser Mountains boast a wealth of rare, and in some cases endemic (i.e., found only here), animal species. These include, for example, the emerald-green earthworm (Allobobophora smaragdina), which undergoes an interesting color change during its development, from pink to purple, finally becoming emerald green at the age of 2-3 years, and feeds on deadwood. Furthermore, one can observe both the alpine salamander and the fire salamander, as well as snakes such as the smooth snake and the adder. The latter even occurs in the Kaiser Mountains in two rare color variations (black and copper-red).

Larger mammals such as stoats, mountain hares, foxes, chamois, roe deer, and red deer also find refuge in the Kaiser Mountains. Besides a variety of small birds such as wood warbler, alpine chough, alpine redpoll and crag martin, black grouse, capercaillie and rock ptarmigan as well as birds of prey such as hawk, sparrowhawk, tawny owl and golden eagle can also be found.

The Kaiser Mountains are a mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps of the Eastern Alps. They are divided into the Wilder Kaiser in the south, composed primarily of bare limestone, and the Zahmer Kaiser in the north. The two ranges are connected by the Stripsenjoch, a pass at an altitude of 1,577 m. It takes its name from the nearby peak Stripsenkopf (1,807 m). A popular destination for hikers is the Stripsenjochhaus, a mountain hut belonging to the Austrian Alpine Club, which offers food and accommodation and also serves as a stamping station for the Austrian hiking pass.

Between the Wilder Kaiser and the Zahmer Kaiser mountains lie the Kaisertal valley to the west and the Kaiserbachtal valley to the east. These are entirely within the Kaisergebirge nature reserve and are arguably two of the most beautiful hiking areas in all of Tyrol.

The Kaisertal, which gained a reputation as the last inhabited valley in Austria without a connection to the public road network, could only be reached on foot via the more than 300 steps of the Kaiseraufstieg (Emperor's Ascent) until 2008. Afterwards, a road tunnel was built to facilitate the transport of goods into the Kaisertal. Only the "Koaserer," the approximately 40 residents of the valley, businesses, and emergency vehicles are permitted to use this tunnel. This ensures the continued protection of the unique natural landscape.

Since 2019, informative and interactive displays have provided insights into the Kaisertal. Here you can learn about life in the valley, its geological features, and regional delicacies while immersing yourself in the wonderful, unspoiled nature. This hiking paradise at an altitude of 1,265 meters impresses not only with its well-marked hiking trails but also with its easy accessibility. Despite its remote location, you can take the Kaiserlift Kufstein cable car up to the Brentenjoch and begin your hiking adventure from there.

If you want to get really close to the Wilder Kaiser mountain range, we recommend a visit to the Kaiserbachtal valley in Kirchdorf in Tirol. The imposing mountain massif rises breathtakingly above you, beckoning with diverse and sometimes very challenging hiking trails.

You can reach the Kaiserbachtal valley via a 5 km toll road that leads from the village of Griesenau to an altitude of 1,024 meters. Alternatively, motivated hikers can, of course, also cover this distance on foot. In the Kaiserbachtal valley, you'll find idyllic streams, well-maintained walking paths, and rustic alpine huts.