The Kaiserklamm Gorge is located in the Brandenberg Alps near Kramsach. To reach the gorge, you will need to drive about 1 hour from Innsbruck or Kitzbühel. This steep river canyon offers turquoise alpine water, narrow tunnels carved straight into the rock, and a long history tied to Austrian royalty and traditional forestry.
The History: From Royal Retreats to Log Driving
The gorge gets its name from Emperor Franz Joseph I, who regularly visited the area for hunting trips alongside his wife, Empress Sissi. Long before hikers arrived, however, the Kaiserklamm was a place of intense physical labor. For nearly 500 years, local woodsmen used the powerful currents of the Brandenberger Ache river to float logs down the valley to the Inn River.
The narrow pathways, bridges, and tunnels you walk on today were originally carved directly into the limestone by these loggers. They needed a reliable way to navigate the sheer rock walls during the massive spring wood drives. From these narrow vantage points, they could use long poles to free jammed timber and keep the logs moving down the river.
Hiking the Kaiserklamm Circular Route
The main trail through the gorge is relatively short but offers impressive views, making it an easy addition to a weekend itinerary. Sturdy hiking boots with good grip are essential. The river spray often makes the wooden planks and stone steps slick.
The trail is well-secured, but small children need constant supervision. The Kaiserhaus rents out safety harnesses for kids for a small deposit.
- Starting & Ending Point: Gasthof Kaiserhaus, Brandenberg
- Distance: Approximately 4.2 kilometers (circular route)
- Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (Sure-footedness required)
- Elevation Gain: Around 190 meters
At the end of the narrow canyon section, the landscape opens up into a wide riverbed with gravel banks where you can rest near the water. To return to the start, you follow a parallel forest road back down to the main parking area.
Please note: Dogs are not recommended on this trail because the metal grating on the footbridges can easily injure their paws.
Local Food at the Kaiserhaus
The hike starts and ends at the Gasthof Kaiserhaus, a 500-year-old traditional tavern where Emperor Franz Joseph and Sissi used to stay overnight during their visits.
Today, it operates as a restaurant with a large outdoor beer garden serving classic Tyrolean food. The house specialty here is the Brandenberger Prügeltorte. This regional cake is made by layering sweet batter onto a wooden spit and rotating it slowly over an open fire until it turns golden brown.
Official Website of the Restaurant.
Additional Essential Information for Your Visit
Please make sure to read all the following information before visiting Kaiserklamm Gorge.
Opening Times
The gorge is strictly closed during the winter months (typically late October through April) and during heavy rain due to the risk of rising water and rockfalls.
Costs
The entry to Kaiserklamm Gorge is for free. However there is a parking fee (3€ for 6 hours). You can pay by card.
How to Get to Kaiserklamm Gorge
Take the A12 Inntal motorway to the Kramsach exit. Follow the regional road past the former Sonnwendjoch cable car station up through the valley toward Pinegg until you reach the paid parking lot at the Kaiserhaus. You can also take the regional bus (Line 610) from Kramsach.
Official Website
Address: Aschau 81, 6234 Brandenberg
Map:
What Else Can You Do In The Area
Aside from the main circular route, the area around the KaiserklammKlicken zum Öffnen einer Seitenleiste mit weiteren Informationen offers several distinct ways to experience the river and the Brandenberg Valley:
1. Whitewater Sports
The Brandenberger Ache river flowing through the canyon is a well-known playground for experienced kayakers and water sports enthusiasts looking for a challenge. You can find more information here.
- Kayaking & Rafting: The gorge features demanding whitewater, drawing highly skilled paddlers from all over Europe during high water levels.
- River Tubing & Whitewater Swimming: Local outdoor operators in nearby Kramsach organize guided tubing tours, where you ride through the currents downstream on large inflated inner tubes.
2. Extended Wilderness Hiking
If you want a longer trekking experience, you can use the trail near the tavern as a springboard into the deeper Brandenberg Alps.
- The Erzherzog-Johann-Klause Trail: Instead of doing the short loop, a longer, moderately difficult 14.7-kilometer trail leads from the Kaiserhaus further upriver to a historic forestry station and alpine lodge.
- Riverbed Picnics: The wider, gravelly sections at the end of the gorge paths are popular spots for hikers to rest on the flat rocks and dip their feet into the cold water.
3. Visit the Nearby Tiefenbachklamm Gorge
Just a few kilometers downstream sits the sister canyon of the valley, providing an excellent companion hike for a full-day itinerary. Find all important information here.
