Hiking the Hahnenkamm
15th May 2022
Last modified on June 27th, 2022
It is possible to walk down the Hahnenkamm downhill course on a summer holiday. PlanetSKI did it a few years back and it’s since become a popular attraction, with savings now on offer for this year.
The Hahnenkamm mountain in Kitzbühel hosts the world famous downhill ski race where the best ski racers do battle for the Alpine Skiing World Cup each winter.
During the summer months, visitors can walk down the steep Streif downhill course – it has an incline gradient of 85% in places.
Hiking the Hahnenkamm. Image © PlanetSKI
The mountain is easily accessible using the Hahnenkammbahn cable car where the Streif Hike begins.
Hiking the Hahnenkamm. Image © PlanetSKI
It’s a 7.7 km walk that leads down to the bottom of the downhill ski run.
It takes race skiers under two minutes to complete the 3.3 km racetrack (860 vertical metres).
Walkers can do it in around three hours.
PlanetSKI hiked the course in the summer a few years back.
Hiking the Hahnenkamm. Image © PlanetSKI
Large monitors installed along the course stream clips from some of the world’s top skiers flying down the course.
There are nine activity stations that take in the most famous points along the course: Mausefalle, Karussell, Steilhang, Brückenschuss, Seidlalmsprung, Hausbergkante, Traverse and Zielsprung.
Hiking the Hahnenkamm. Image © PlanetSKI
Each station includes interactive challenges – great for families – such as balancing on a slackline and more.
PlanetSKI will be in the Alps later this summer for some high-altitude hiking.
In the meantime we’re getting in shape on the South Downs Way in southern England:
South Downs Way. Image © PlanetSKI
Facebook reaction from PlanetSKI readers:
Richard Miller – I walked down and there was a small traditional hut hallway down which had some banging coming from it. I thought someone may be trapped inside so started to go and investigate when an old guy appeared from the hut and started to cut the grass with his scythe! I decided not to bother him.
Nicky Cantello – I was surprised when I walked down a red run one summer, actually how difficult it is. Had to traverse across it to go down! Didn’t seem half as difficult on skis! Can’t imagine what the Hahnemkhan must be like!!
John Martin – I walked up the Hahnenkamm and took an easier route back down….
The Kitzbuhel Alps Summer Card is on offer for anyone travelling to Kitzbühel this summer.
The card, which is available as a one to 14-day pass, or as a season ticket, provides unlimited access to 36 lifts in the region across 14 mountains.
Holders can also enjoy discounts of between 10% and 50% at a range of cultural and sporting attractions, including museums and swimming pools.
A Kitzbühel Alps Summer Card, valid for seven days, costs from €105 / £87.80 per adult or €52.50 / £62.70 per child.
A seven-night stay, at Hotel Edelweiss, arriving 11 June, costs from £599 pp (saving £290 pp) based on two people sharing a room on a half board basis.
Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Salzburg and transfers.
Regional flights are available.
Inghams (01483 698099, www.inghams.co.uk)
Kitzbühel: www.kitzbuehel.com
Summer flights are offered by easyJet and Jet2.co, https://www.b2b.tirol/en/news/flights-to-tirol
Hiking the Hahnenkamm. Image © PlanetSKI
