Ellmau: Hartkaiserbahn, Wilder Kaiser and Village History

Mountain Setting and Winter Access

Ellmau lies at an altitude of 820 m, nestled between the Wilder Kaiser limestone massif to the north and the Hartkaiser to the south. These details situate the town in its surroundings: the altitude describes Ellmau itself, while the mountains frame the landscape on two sides.

The 10-person Hartkaiserbahn gondola provides direct access from Ellmau to the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental. From the valley station, it also takes visitors directly to a nature and hiking area with views of the Wilder Kaiser. The lift thus connects two different travel interests: access to SkiWelt and a ride to an area that is also relevant for hiking and nature enthusiasts. Check the lift’s operating dates before your trip.

Hiking and Cycling Trails

The Hartkaiserbahn’s mid-station is a starting point for numerous hiking and walking trails. Marked cycling routes are easily accessible from Ellmau. The respective starting points therefore differ: the mid-station is the reference point for hiking and walking trails, while Ellmau is the reference point for cycling routes. If you are planning several activities, this distinction helps you avoid assuming they all start from the same place.

For orientation, what matters is not only which activity interests you, but also where it starts. The mid-station is the access point for hiking and walking trails; the cycling routes are described in relation to Ellmau. This gives you two different starting points for planning your day, without having to combine both offerings into a single route.

Chapel and Local History Museum

The Maria Heimsuchung Chapel, also known as the Marienkapelle, is located near Ellmau’s village center. Built in 1719, it provides a specific historical landmark close to the center.

The Ellmau Local History Museum, also known as “Beim Wegmacher,” documents village life and Tyrolean history over the past centuries. The building was originally constructed in the 16th century as a small miners’ house for mine workers. The rooms are furnished true to the traditional rural style.

The chapel and the museum offer different perspectives on local history: the chapel is associated with a precise year of construction, while the museum brings together the building’s original use and its function as a museum. Its furnishings add a connection to rural life to the historical context; at the same time, the museum’s documentation extends beyond the history of a single house.

Filming Location and Kaiserschmarrn Festival

The Bergdoktor practice in Ellmau is also part of the town’s profile: it is the original film set for the television series “Der Bergdoktor.” For fans of the series, this connection to film represents a different kind of local history than the chapel and the local history museum.

At the Kaiserschmarrn Festival, various versions of Schmarrn are served, either as a classic dish or as an accompaniment to a meal. Alongside the landscape, trails and history, the festival adds a culinary theme. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the event dates and program details in advance.

Discover more destinations: Niederndorf, Niederndorferberg, Niederau, Kirchbichl, Söll, Mühlthal, Asching, Erl

Go to the overview of the wider region: Kufstein District.