Kaprun

December to April is ski season, and the glacier is open for skiing nearly all year. June to September is best for hiking and for the high alpine lakes. April–May and October–November are quieter. Winters are cold and snowy.

• Kitzsteinhorn is a 3,203 m peak with a glacier ski area. A cable car and tunnel lift reach the top station at about 3,000 m, with views and a summit platform.
• Kaprun High Altitude Storage Lakes are reservoirs high in the mountains, reached by a road and a funicular. The dams were a major project built after World War II.
• Sigmund Thun-Klamm is a gorge with wooden walkways above a rushing stream.
• Kaprun is the village centre.
• Burg Kaprun is a medieval castle above the village.
• Kapruner Ache is the glacial river that flows through the valley.
• Großes Wiesbachhorn is a high peak in the Glockner group, for experienced alpine hikers.

• Ski the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.
• Visit the high alpine reservoirs.
• Walk through the Sigmund Thun gorge.
• Hike a mountain trail from the valley.
• Swim in Lake Zell in summer.

• Zell am See is a lake town, about 15 minutes by bus or car.
• Saalfelden is about 30 minutes by car.
• Saalbach is a big ski and bike area, about 40 minutes by car.
• Salzburg is about 1 hour 15 minutes by car.
• The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is about 45 minutes away by car in summer.
• Krimml Waterfalls are about 1 hour away by car.

• Zell am See is the closest preferred town, with train links.

• By air: Salzburg Airport is about 1 hour 15 minutes away by car. Innsbruck and Munich are alternatives.
• By train: The closest station is Zell am See, about 15 minutes away by bus. Salzburg to Zell am See takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Check times on ÖBB.
• By car: Take the A10 motorway and the B311 road via Zell am See.

The village is small. Buses link Kaprun with Zell am See and the glacier lifts. Ski buses run in winter. Summer guest cards often include cable cars and public transport.

A car is helpful for the Grossglockner road and nearby valleys. Winter tyres or chains are required in snow. The high alpine road to the reservoirs has a toll. Motorways in Austria need a vignette.

Salzburg-region food includes Kasnocken, cheese dumplings, and Kaiserschmarrn. Mountain huts serve simple dishes. Dairy farms sell alpine cheese.

Kaprun is safe. Glacier and high-alpine weather changes quickly. Altitude can cause headaches for some visitors. Tap water is clean and safe to drink. The emergency number is 112. The mountain rescue number is 140.

Kaprun was a quiet farming village until the 1930s, when work began on the high alpine hydroelectric plant. The reservoirs were completed after World War II and brought visitors. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier lifts opened in the 1960s.

Quick practical facts for Austria at a glance: