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 (10)
Coburgerhütte
1917 mCoburgerhütte Gaistal: DAV hut at 1,917 m on the Zugspitz massif – starting point for alpine tours, daily 7:00–22:00, early July to early October.
Season: Anfang Juli – Anfang Oktober
daily 7:00–22:00
Ehrwalderalm
1502 mEhrwalderalm: staffed alm at 1,502 m near Ehrwald – reachable by cable car or on foot, family-friendly, dog-friendly, daily 8:30–17:30 (Wed closed).
Season: Anfang Mai – Ende Oktober
daily 8:30–17:30 (closed Wednesday)
Gaistalalm
1373 mGaistalalm Gaistal: first refreshment stop in the valley at 1,373 m, family-friendly, daily 9:00–18:00 – easily reached from car park P1 in 30 min.
Season: Mitte Mai – Ende Oktober
daily 9:00–18:00
Hämmermoosalm
1417 mHämmermoosalm Gaistal: Tyrolean cuisine at 1,417 m, daily 10:30–17:30 (Wed closed) – May to October, staffed year-round, natural toboggan run in winter.
Season: Mai – Oktober
daily 10:30–17:30 (closed Wednesday)
Katzenkopfhütte
1360 mPopular alm hut above Leutasch-Weidach with sun terrace and views of the Wetterstein mountains.
Season: Mai – Oktober
daily 10:00–17:00 (summer)
Kristenalm
1348 mKristenalm 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
Poli's Hütte
1110 mCosy refreshment stop at the entrance to the Gaistal – known for homemade cakes and wheelchair-accessible entry.
Season: ganzjährig – ganzjährig
open daily (hours vary seasonally; closed Monday and Tuesday in summer)
Rauthhütte
1605 mRauthhütte 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)
Seebenalm
1575 mSeebenalm 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
Tillfußalm
1382 mTillfußalm 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)