Attractions and Places To See around Natural Park Klafferkessel - Top 12

The heart of the park is the Klafferkessel Lake Plateau, boasting approximately 30 mountain lakes and tarns at around 2,300 meters above sea level. This area offers wild, rugged scenery with unique mosses and lichens. Key highlights include the Klafferkessel Lakes themselves, and the idyllic Lower Sonntagskarsee, known for its waterfalls and flower-covered slopes.

For breathtaking panoramic views, consider ascending the Greifenberg Summit (2,618 m), one of the highest peaks in the Schladminger Tauern. From its top, you can experience deep views into the Klafferkessel. While not directly within the Klafferkessel, the impressive Hochgolling (2,863 m) and Waldhorn (2,702 m) also provide dramatic backdrops to the landscape.

Yes, several alpine huts serve as important rest stops and overnight accommodations. The Preintaler Hut is a popular base for summit climbs and multi-day tours, offering rooms or dormitory stays. The Waldhornalm is another managed alpine hut in Untertal, inviting visitors to linger.

The region is primarily explored through hiking. Popular routes include the challenging 'Klafferkessel majestic tour'. For specific trails, consider the 'Preintaler Hut – Klafferkessel Lakes loop' or the 'Preintaler Hut – Greifenberg Summit loop'. You can find more detailed hiking routes and information in the dedicated guide for Hiking around Natural Park Klafferkessel.

The best time to visit for hiking is typically from late June to early October. During this period, most of the snow has melted, and the alpine trails are generally accessible. However, be aware that some high-altitude lakes in the Klafferkessel can remain frozen well into the summer, and snowfields can still be encountered on higher peaks like Greifenberg.

While many routes in the high-alpine Klafferkessel are challenging, there are options for families. The area around the Seeleiten car park and Almgasthaus Riesachfall offers starting points for various trails, some of which are less strenuous. For easier walks, consider routes that lead to the lower-lying huts or along valley paths, such as the 'Perneralm – Tagalm loop' which is rated as easy. Always check the difficulty of specific routes before heading out with children.

A common starting and end point for many Klafferkessel tours is the Seeleiten car park in the Untertal valley. This car park provides convenient access to various trails leading into the park.

Beyond hiking, the region offers opportunities for mountain biking and road cycling. You can explore various trails and routes, such as those detailed in the guides for MTB Trails around Natural Park Klafferkessel and Road Cycling Routes around Natural Park Klafferkessel.

The Klafferkessel Lakes are a relic of the last Ice Age, forming a high-alpine plateau with approximately 30 mountain lakes and tarns. Their unique beauty comes from the wild, rugged scenery, the varying sizes and colors of the lakes, and the surrounding peaks that create a dramatic backdrop. Some visitors are particularly fascinated by the beautiful turquoise, ice-blue lakes below the Greifenberg Summit.

Yes, several huts and alm (alpine pasture) restaurants provide refreshment. The Preintaler Hut offers food and accommodation. The Almgasthaus Riesachfall is located at the Seeleiten car park, and the Waldhornalm is a managed hut. Other refreshment stops include Berallerhütte at Kotalm, Kaltenbachalm, and Gfölleralm, often found along various hiking routes.

Visitors are consistently captivated by the dramatic natural beauty and the unique high-alpine landscape. The deep views into the Klafferkessel from summits like Greifenberg are highly praised. The idyllic setting of lakes like Lower Sonntagskarsee with its waterfalls and flower-covered slopes is also a favorite, offering a truly magical experience.

Yes, the Klafferkessel region is ideal for multi-day hut tours. The Preintaler Hut, for instance, serves as an excellent base or stopover for such adventures, allowing hikers to explore the high-alpine landscape over several days and tackle various summit climbs.