The best mountain hikes around Kiefersfelden

A very well-secured via ferrata that takes you from the Brünnsteinhaus up to the summit in half an hour.

The Brünnstein is a beautiful panoramic peak in the Bavarian Prealps. Located above the Brünnstein Hut, an easy and very well-secured via ferrata leads to the summit. It can even be traversed, making it a worthwhile circular hike.

The covered wooden bridge over the Gießenbach stream near the Schopperalm is a charming and characteristic feature on the hiking route through the Gießenbach Gorge – especially on the way back to the farms around the Trojerhof.

Those crossing this bridge experience a transition between two sections of the hike: from the alpine pasture and the open terrain back into the forest and up to the meadows and pastures surrounding the Trojerhof. The bridge marks not only a geographical location, but also a change of atmosphere – the sound of the stream beneath the planks, the wooden roofs overhead, the feeling of protection from rain or strong sun.

The Trojerhof, one of Bavaria's oldest mountain farms, is a place steeped in history, idyllic charm, and authenticity. About 5 kilometers outside Kiefersfelden, on a high plateau at an altitude of 656 meters near the German-Austrian border, it sits in a secluded location above the Inn Valley, nestled amidst meadows and forests, with sweeping views of the Wilder Kaiser. The history of the Trojerhof stretches back a long way. The field name "Troi" is of Celtic origin and means "cattle path"—there is evidence of settlements here as early as 500 BC. As early as 1140, the farm was mentioned in a ducal register of taxes as "ab dem Trayen," with tributes such as a measure of oats. Over the centuries, the main building has been altered several times: The current main building dates back to 1689, after the old farm burned down. In the meantime, an outbuilding (the so-called "Zuhaus") was built in 1742. The Marienkapelle (St. Mary's Chapel), a striking building on the farm, dates back to 1649 and has survived the ages. Today, the Trojerhof farm is a living monument to rural tradition. It is an organic mountain farm with an alpine atmosphere, with livestock (cows, sheep, etc.), forestry, and the preservation of the old farm structures. The location and access are also distinctive: an approximately 800-meter-long mountain road with gradients of up to 25% leads up. In winter, the path is difficult, and snow chains or four-wheel drive vehicles are often necessary.

Lake Pfrill near Kufstein is a small but idyllic natural gem amidst dense forests. It lies about 100 meters above Kufstein at 612 meters above sea level and is the smallest of the six bathing lakes west of the city. Lake Pfrill is freely accessible and free to use. In summer, it serves primarily as a bathing lake and excursion destination; hikers appreciate it as part of the "Four Lakes Hike," which also includes Lake Längsee, Lake Egelsee, and Lake Hechtsee.

The Thierberg Castle ruins lie above Kufstein in Tyrol at an altitude of approximately 721 meters and are among the oldest castles in the region. They were built around 1280 by the Lords of Freundsberg as a small hilltop fortress to secure the Inn Valley. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands several times – among other things, it belonged to Bavaria for a time before falling to Tyrol in 1504. The striking keep has been preserved to this day and offers impressive panoramic views of Kufstein, the Inn Valley, and the Kaiser Mountains. Within the old walls lies the Thierberg Chapel, a popular pilgrimage site with numerous votive images and a quiet, spiritual atmosphere. A hermit traditionally lives next to the chapel to look after the site. Today, the Thierberg Castle ruins are a historic tourist destination that combines history, nature, and faith in a unique way.

In addition to predatory fish such as pike and zander, Lake Hecht is home to various non-predatory fish species, including carp. Carp tend to prefer shallower areas or shore zones with reeds, underwater plants, and bottom structures where they find food (e.g., insect larvae, worms, and plant parts). Due to the lake's considerable depth (maximum of approximately 57 meters) and clear water, carp likely retreat to coastal shore areas during warmer months, where food availability and temperatures are more favorable. Their well-being is limited in cooler depths.