Kaprun: Castle, Gorge and Alpine Excursions
Accommodation in Kaprun
Kaprun combines local history, alpine scenery and a variety of outdoor activities. When choosing accommodation in Kaprun, your interests can shape the focus of your stay: the castle and museum offer cultural highlights, while the gorge, high-mountain reservoirs and mountain biking routes reveal other sides of the town. Parts of Kaprun lie directly within Hohe Tauern National Park; this applies to parts of the town, not to Kaprun as a whole.
Castle and Museum: Local History
Kaprun Castle was built in the 12th century by the Falkenstein family of nobles from Upper Bavaria. You can learn more about local history at the Kaprun Museum, housed in the lovingly renovated Steinerbauer farmhouse. The house is over 300 years old. Since 2009, the permanent exhibition has been on display in an area of 140 m² and presents local prehistory through archaeological finds associated with early settlers searching for copper ore.
Traditional crafts are also part of the museum's offerings: the Katschner bakery makes traditional bread specialties in the historic, freestanding oven. This recurring activity may vary by season. When planning, you can therefore choose between focusing on the castle and its architecture, exploring archaeological topics or visiting the bakery.
Mountain Biking Routes on the Kitzsteinhorn
There are three mountain biking trails on the Kitzsteinhorn, with a total of 12 km of downhill track and 1,500 meters of elevation gain. These figures apply to the three trails combined. The 3K K-onnection tour is a separate route: stretching more than 12 km, it crosses high-alpine terrain between Maiskogel and the Kitzsteinhorn, connects Kaprun's two local mountains and can be ridden in both directions. The trail figures summarize the downhill distance and elevation gain, while the tour describes a connection between the two mountains. Operating conditions may vary; take this into account when planning.
Sigmund Thun Gorge and High-Mountain Destinations
The Kapruner Ache has carved the Sigmund Thun Gorge through rock and stone over a length of more than 320 meters. Well-maintained wooden walkways pass through the gorge, so even small children can walk through it. Access conditions may vary by season. One brief practical clarification can help avoid confusion: the figure of more than 320 meters describes the length over which the river formed the gorge.
Alpine destinations include the Wasserfallboden and Mooserboden high-mountain reservoirs. Both are at an elevation of 2,036 meters, surrounded by alpine scenery. Mooserboden can be reached by shuttle buses and the Lärchwand inclined lift. It is Europe's largest open inclined lift and ascends 431 meters. As access arrangements may change seasonally, check the details before your visit. So when choosing a destination, it's not just the altitude that matters, but also the seasonally changing journey to the reservoir.
More Outdoor Activities
The Alpine Coaster Maisi Flitzer descends into the valley at speeds of up to 40 km/h, over waves, jumps and turns. As it operates seasonally, check the dates before your trip. The Stromtrail has a different focus: six stations explore nature, technology and hydropower, and the trail leads to a water playground. The herb nature trail starts at the Mooserboden mountain restaurant and runs towards Fürthermoar Alm. The stated duration is just under 45 minutes. Kaprun therefore offers both destinations related to technology and hydropower and a short themed trail towards the alpine pasture.
Discover more travel destinations: Walchen, Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer, Jochbergthurn, Leogang, Bruck An Der Großglocknerstraße, Niederland, Gries Im Pinzgau, Dienten Am Hochkönig.
View the regional travel overview: Zell am See District (Pinzgau).
