Imbachhorn Hike Route Guide
Table of contents
Route Description for Imbachhorn Hike
We like to leave our car in Zell am See and get to the start on the 660 bus, this allows only one bus ride at the end of the day!
Start this wonderful hike at the parking area at the bottom of the Gletscherjet 1 ski lift. The trail entrance lies opposite the parking area, on the other side of the main road. It immediately starts with a steep ascent through pine and birch woods, climbing up the mountain via switchbacks.
You will pass the Harleiten alm, a mountain hut. This hut is not managed and only on occasion people are there. The trail continues through alpine meadows, over the Hartleiten and the Brandlscharte (2,371 m).
When you come to a cross roads there is the choice to go right towards Rettenzink, or left towards the peak of the Imbachhorn mountain. Why not do them both? The views are worth it.
Start by hiking up the trail on the left and after a 100 m ascent you will reach your goal. After enjoying the views from the peak, take the same route down, back to the crossing.
Now take the right trail, heading towards Rettenzink, and start the descent of the tour. The trail first follows the slope alongside the Rettenzink (2,510 m). After that, switchbacks will bring you down towards Gleiwitzer Hutte, a fine mountain hut at 2,174 m. The hut is a good place to have a break from all the hiking. Enjoy some traditional Austrian food and fill up your energy levels.
After the break, choose trail Number 725 and continue your adventure. There are lots of switchbacks and turns, will bring you lower and lower into the valley. Passing the Hirzbach stream and the Hirzbach alm (another un-managed mountain hut) back into the forest. After about 1 km you arrive in the village center of the mountain town of Fusch an der Grossglockner.
Here you can take the bus back to Zell am See and Kaprun and enjoy the memories you have made on a wonderful hike today.
For more routes like this, browse all our Austria hiking trails.
Insider Hints for Imbachhorn Hike
- You are at high altitude, so UV can be really strong. Use a good sun blocker, ideally SPF 50.
- If you are staying in an accommodation in Kaprun, ask if they have the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer card. With that the normal bus from Zell am see / Kaprun to the starting point is for free!
- Turn this hike into a 2-day tour by staying at the Gleiwitzer hut overnight. This is a magical place to catch sunset or sunrise!
- The town of Fusch an der Grossglocknerstrasse is also the entrance to the Grossglockner high alpine road. This road is a must visit if you are in Austria.
- Click the link to find out more about hiking the Austrian Alps.
Getting to the Imbachhorn Hike Trailhead
Travel to Kaprun, pass the town and continue just over 6.9 km to the bottom of the Glacier Cable Cars. The trail starts opposite the parking area of the Gletscherjet 1 lift. From the end-point in the village of Fusch, you can take the bus back to Zell am See and from there change over to the 660 bus towards Kaprun and the Gletsjer lifts.Route Information for Imbachhorn Hike
When to do:
May to October
Toilets:
Alpin Center and mountain huts
Pets allowed:
Yes
Family friendly:
No
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
Low
Route Type:
One Way
Imbachhorn Hike Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
Check Area WeatherReviews for Imbachhorn Hike
A very nice place and a challenging hike. Highly recommended
- Trip Length
- 08:30
- Technical Difficulty
What an amazing hike! Lots of beautiful vistas, meadows and forest to see. The scenery from the top was unbelivable!
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- Physical Difficulty
Went last year for hiking in Imbachhorn, very beautiful with nice weather. I highly recommend this place to visit.
- Trip Length
- 09:00
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Fantastic views and a good choice of walks
- Trip Length
- 08:00
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
We just had our third holiday in Zell Am See. It's a beautiful place with fabulous walks.
- Trip Length
- 09:00
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
it was a great fun activity for all of us and the views and nature in the forest were wonderful
- Trip Length
- 08:30
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Best choice to get away from crowds. This was my favorite hike.
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Iconic hike in the park. The crown jewel is the lake.
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- Physical Difficulty
The view from the top is beyond what I have imagined. It was one of my favourites in the park!
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
It's really difficult, especially if you're not fond of exercising. All in all, I recommend this trail, it did not disappoint.
- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
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