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Gaistal with Kids

Gaistal is a paradise for families — flat valley walks, easy mountain paths and staffed huts with traditional Tyrolean snacks are waiting for you.

Tips for Families

  • 🕗 Start early: Gaistal is quieter in the morning and car parks are still free. Thunderstorms can build up in the afternoon.
  • 👟 Sturdy footwear: Even on easy paths, hiking shoes are recommended — paths can be slippery after rain.
  • 🥪 Plan a stop: The staffed huts offer Tyrolean snacks, Kaiserschmarrn and drinks. Children are warmly welcome everywhere.
  • 🌊 Gaistbach stream: The stream along the valley is a popular play area for children — bring a change of clothes!
  • 🚗 Toll road: Access to Gaistal requires a toll. Car parks at the end of the valley, where most hikes start.

Family-Friendly Alpine Huts (12)

Coburgerhütte

1917 m

Coburgerhütte Gaistal: DAV hut at 1,917 m on the Zugspitz massif – starting point for alpine tours, daily 7:00–22:00, early June to early October.

Season: Anfang Juni – Anfang Oktober

daily 7:00–22:00

Managed Dogs allowed

Ehrwalderalm

1500 m

Ehrwalderalm: staffed alm at 1,500 m near Ehrwald – reachable by cable car or on foot, family-friendly, dog-friendly, daily 8:30–16:30.

Season: Ende Mai – Mitte Oktober

daily 8:30–16:30

Managed Dogs allowed

Gaistalalm

1373 m

Gaistalalm Gaistal: second managed alm in the valley at 1,373 m (after the Hämmermoosalm), family-friendly, daily 9:00–18:00 – reached from car park Salzbach (P3–P5) in around 60–90 min.

Season: Mitte Mai – Ende Oktober

daily 9:00–18:00

Managed Dogs allowed

Hämmermoosalm

1417 m

Hämmermoosalm Gaistal: Tyrolean cuisine at 1,417 m, daily 9:30–17:00 (Wed closed) – May to October, staffed year-round, natural toboggan run in winter.

Season: Mai – Oktober

daily 9:30–17:00 (closed Wednesday)

Managed Dogs allowed

Katzenkopfhütte

1360 m

Popular alm hut above Leutasch-Weidach with sun terrace and views of the Wetterstein mountains.

Season: Mai – Oktober

daily 10:00–17:00 (summer)

Managed Dogs allowed

Kristenalm

1348 m

Kristenalm in the Kristental near Scharnitz: staffed alm serving snacks, drinks and homemade cheese at 1,348 m in the Karwendel – dog-friendly, quiet, mid-May to mid-October.

Season: Mitte Mai – Mitte Oktober

Managed Dogs allowed

Polis Hütte

1110 m

Cosy refreshment stop in the Gasse hamlet of Leutasch – known for homemade cakes and wheelchair-accessible entry.

Season: mid-June – early October

Wed–Fri 11am–6pm, Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 9am–5pm (closed Mon+Tue); open continuously in winter (Christmas to March), closed during the shoulder seasons

Managed Dogs allowed

Rauthhütte

1605 m

Rauthhütte Gaistal: panorama alm at 1,605 m with views across the Inn Valley – 80 sleeping places, overnight Thu–Sun, daily 9:30–17:00 (Tue closed), early June to October.

Season: Anfang Juni – Ende Oktober

daily 9:30–17:00 (closed Tuesday)

Managed Dogs allowed

Rotmoosalm

2030 m

Rotmoosalm Gaistal: peaceful retreat at 2,030 m with overnight stays from €40 incl. breakfast – daily 9:00–22:00, dog-friendly, early June to October.

Season: Early June – Mid-October

daily 9:00–22:00

Managed Dogs allowed

Seebenalm

1575 m

Seebenalm Gaistal: refreshments directly beside the turquoise Seebensee at 1,575 m – daily 10:00–17:00, one of the most beautiful hiking destinations in Tyrol.

Season: Ende Mai – Mitte Oktober

daily 10:00–17:00

Managed

Tillfußalm

1382 m

Tillfußalm Gaistal: popular stop at 1,382 m with Brettljause and Ganghofer history – daily 10:00–17:00 (Mon closed), dog-friendly, children welcome.

Season: Mai – Ende Oktober

daily 10:00–17:00 (closed Monday)

Managed Dogs allowed

Wangalm

1753 m

Wangalm Gaistal: alm hut at 1,753 m at the foot of the Gehrenspitze – dog-friendly, overnight stays available, daily 8:00–20:00, early June to mid-October.

Season: Anfang Juni – Mitte Oktober

daily 8:00–20:00

Managed Dogs allowed

Routes for Families & Children (4)