Dreamy Galcier Hike at the Kapruner Hochgebirgsstauseen
An emerald blue lake, embedded in an alpine landscape with snow-covered mountains and glaciers. On top, this paradise-like landscape gets framed by purple lupins. A scenery which easily could be out of a New Zeeland travel guide. But it is not. It can be found in Austria, close to Zell am See.
The “Kapruner Hochgebirgsstauseen” (Kapruner High-Mountain Reservoir) are one of the most famous sight of Kaprun. The two huge reservoirs create an almost fjord-like landscape – high above the small cities in the valley below.
The lower lake is called “Stausee Wasserfallboden” and the upper one is called “Mooserboden”. The dam of the lower reservoir can even be seen from the valley below and leaves you shivering, when thinking about the great engineering skills, which were needed to build it.
Around the lakes is a recreation area which offers great hiking-possibilities. While you do so, you have a breathtaking view over the lakes and the valley below.
Suggested for: moderate trail, basic endurance is needed
Start point: Restaurant Moosersboden
End: Restaurant Moosersboden
Altitude: 420 meters up, 420 meters down
Distance: 5 km
Duration: 2,5 hours
The hike starts at the “Bergrestaurant Moosersboden” at the upper reservoir. You have to keep to the right and take the small trail, which starts at a small hut. The hiking trails destination is the “Kleiner Grieskogel”, but we only hiked to the Glacier view Point.
The first part of this hike is a small trail above the right shoreline of the upper lake. Small serpentines will lead you up the hill and will offer alternating view of the glacier and the lower lake as well as the valley. The path might be muddy, but it is not really steep and it is manageable, even if you do not have a lot of hiking experience.
Nevertheless, you should definitely bring good shoes, as it might be slippery.
The views of the glacier are breathtaking and keep reminding you of why you are taking up this effort.
On this first part you will tackle about 270 meters of difference in altitude.
After about two kilometers you will reach the top of this first ascent and you will be rewarded with stunning views over the lake and the surrounding landscapes.
Take a rest and enjoy the views before continuing your hike.
You just need to turn your head and you will find views for days: The two emerald reservoirs, the valley of Kaprun and another great view of the mountains “Bärenkopf” & “Karlingerboden” incl. the glacier.
From here you continue with the glacier ahead of you. At some point we had some furry companions. This picturesque location above the lake is home to a herd of sheep.
They were super cute, but at some point, it got a little bit weird as they seemed to follow us and every time we turned around, they stopped. We decided to walk a little bit faster at that time, but we soon found out, that they only wanted to catch up to their mates.
And you always have to keep in mind: you are literally a guest in their home – always be respectful and kind.
After additional 120 meters of difference in altitude and about one more kilometer in distance, you finally reach the glacier view point.
It is an amazing feeling to see those tons of massive ice and snow and even though you are high up at the mountain, you again feel small. From here you can also see the “Karlinger Waterfall”, which descends from the glacier down to the reservoir below.
If you want, you can continue to the summit of the “Kleiner Grieskogel”. This would mean about 250 additional meters in altitude and about 800 meters in distance. Furthermore, the trail gets steeper and is not secured. We decided to turn back from here as our goal was to see the glacier and this is the best view point to see it as close as possible.
From here you return to the Restaurant Moosersboden on the same route as on the way up.
Walk on the dam
When visiting the Kapruner Hochgebirgsstauseen you should not miss to walk on the dam and to experience this massive building. The dam, which suspends the “Mooserboden” reservoir actually consist of two parts. In sum, the dam is about 500 meters long and about 107 meters high.
Short personal slide in: I am absolutely afraid of dams. For me the thought of concrete holding massive tons of water somehow makes me feel uncomfortable.
But, if you feel more comfortable, you can also…
CLIMB the dam.
There is actually a fixed-rope route at the dam. You can sign-up for this nerve-racking event at the “Kiosk Mooserboden”, but you have to bring you own climbing-gear (or plan this activity with a guided-tour from Kaprun).
If you are not that adventurous (and I can totally understand that!) you can “climb” the “Höhenburg” between the two parts of the dam. From this view point you have a great view of the two reservoirs.
If you are interested in the whole engineering and technical aspects of the construction, you can do a guided tour into the dam. Those tours are conducted every day between 10 a.m. and 3.15 p.m., every 45 minutes. You have to sign up at the “Kiosk Mooserboden”, which is close to the Restaurant Mooserboden. Costs are about 6 € (adults) and 3,50 € for children between 5 and 9 years.
Opening Hours
The Kapruner Hochgebirgsstauseen can only be visited in summer – usually between mid of June and mid of October.
Opening Hours: 8 a.m. – 4.45 p.m.
How to get there
The journey to the Kapruner Hochgebirgsstauseen is a little bit tricky, because you need to change between different transportation several times.
By Car – You cannot drive all the way up to the reservoirs on your own. If you arrive by car, you need to park it at the “Stausee Parkhaus”. You do not need to pay for it, therefore it already fills up early in the morning. From here you need to walk about 200 meters to the “Alpenhaus Kesselfall”. Here you will find the bus terminal as well as the ticket counter.
By Bus – You can take the bus 660 from Kaprun, which will drive you all the way to the “Stausee Parkhaus”. From here you need to walk about 200 meters to the “Alpenhaus Kesselfall”. There you will find the bus terminal as well as the ticket counter.
Starting at the ticket counter at the Alpenhaus Kesselfall you begin your journey to the reservoirs. This journey includes following means of transportation:
- Bus (Name: Pendelbus) to the inclined elevator
You cannot miss the bus, as it departs directly from the bus terminal at the “Alpenhaus Kesselfall”. The busses depart every 20 Minutes between 8.10 a.m. and 4.45 p.m. As the “streets” are very narrow, only one bus at a time can pass the section. - Elevator
The second part of the journey might be the most adventurous part. An inclined elevator will take you 400 meters up the mountain within just a few minutes. The elevator is quite big and can take 180 people up the mountains - Bus to the Restaurant Mooserboden
As soon as you arrive at the upper elevator station another bus will take you to the reservoirs. Also, those busses drive a narrow street and only depart one after the other.
The bus stops two times: first at the lower reservoir and second at the “Restaurant Mooserboden” at the upper reservoir.
By Hike – You can also hike the complete route, but I would not recommend this as the trail partly shares the street, which the busses drive. This might be a little bit dangerous at some points – especially as you also have to walk through the dark tunnels. Furthermore, there were a lot of constructions sides (August 2021) along the lower lake, which did not look really inviting for a hike.
Costs for visiting the Kapruner Hochgebirgsstauseen
The whole journey (bus+elevator+bus) costs about 25€ per Person for adults and about 13.50€ for children between 6 and 15 years. You can save money, if you use the “Kapruner Sommerkarte”. If you have this guest car, you do not have to pay for the transportation.
