Hiking to Tappenkarsee – A Stunning Alpine Lake Trail in Salzburg, Austria

If you’re craving a hike that delivers big alpine views, crystal-clear water, and that feeling of “wow, is this real life?” — then Tappenkarsee is your kind of trail. Tucked away in the Salzburg region of Austria, this hidden gem is one of the most beautiful alpine lake hikes I’ve ever done.

We hiked to Tappenkarsee on a sunny summer morning, and I’m still thinking about how peaceful it felt up there — surrounded by dramatic peaks, grazing cows, and the sound of nothing but wind and water. The trail is well-marked, moderately challenging, and absolutely worth the effort. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking for an adventure that isn’t too extreme, this one hits that perfect sweet spot.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know before hiking to Tappenkarsee — including how to get there, trail stats, what to pack, and tips we learned along the way. If you’re planning a hiking trip in Salzburg or the Austrian Alps, trust me: this trail needs to be on your list.

Lake Tappenkarsee Hiking Statistics

Distance – 19.9 km lollipop-circuit

Elevation – 985m

Duration – 7 hours

Starting Point – To start the hike, drive or take a bus to Lake Jägersee in Kleinarl Valley. If the toll road is open, continue driving 3.6 km to Schwabalm car park. If the toll road is closed, park at the Jägersee Car Park. The hiking details above are for when the toll road is closed. Otherwise you can deduct 7.2km in hiking distance.

End Point – Schwabalm car park or Jägersee Car Park

Route – Jägersee – Schwabalm car park – Tappenkarsee – Tappenkarsee Alm – Tappenkarseehütte – Draugsteintörl – Tappenkarsee Alm – Schwabalm car park – Jägersee 

Level – Moderate to Hard depending if the toll road is open or not and if you decide to continue hiking after you reach Tappenkarsee.

Toll Road Fee – €6 per vehicle

Best time to visit – June through October, depending on the weather circumstances.

How to Reach the Tappenkarsee Trailhead

When you’re starting from Kleinarl or Wagrain, head south to Lake Jägersee (around 4 km from Kleinarl, or 11.6 km from Wagrain). You’ll find a free parking lot at the lakeshore and bus options nearby.

🚗 Rent a car by using SunnyCars. There’s never any hidden costs with them and free cancellation up to 1 hour before rental start. Their price is transparent and everything is included.

If the Toll Road Is Open (early June to early October)

There’s a 3.6 km toll road along the left bank of Jägersee that leads up to the Schwabalm car park. The road fee is typically €6 per car and is paid in cash at the booth. Park at Schwabalm and begin the hike directly from there—this cuts about 1–2 hours off the overall distance, making the ascent to Tappenkarsee roughly 1.5 hours

If the Toll Road Is Closed

Park at the Jägersee Car Park and either walk or take a bus to the same starting point near the toll booth. From Jägersee, you’ll follow a riverside path towards Schwabalm (about 1 hour on foot) before joining the same forest trail that leads up to the lake at elevation ~1,768 m.

Best Time to Hike to Tappenkarsee

The best time to hike to Tappenkarsee is between mid-June and early October, when the trail is snow-free, the mountain huts are open, and the toll road to Schwabalm is accessible.

If you’re looking for lush green landscapes, wildflowers, and full alpine vibes, head up in late June or July. The air is fresh, the lake is stunningly clear, and you’ll likely catch cows grazing in the meadows along the way.

August and early September are also great, especially if you prefer warmer hiking conditions and longer days. The huts are still open, and the trail tends to be dry and well-maintained.

By October, the weather can turn colder and more unpredictable, with early snow possible at higher elevations — still beautiful, but make sure to check local trail conditions before you go.

💡 TIP – Go early in the day to avoid crowds (especially in July and August) and to catch that gorgeous mountain light dancing across the lake.

Where to stay

We stayed in the valley of Wagrain at the 4 star Berghotel Alpenklang. A family run hotel where both breakfast and dinner are included and a beautiful terrace with a view over the valley and surrounding mountains.

Other plus points:

Ideally located in between all of the different area’s that we wanted to go hiking during our Salzburg itinerary.

We got a family room so César had his own separate bedroom which is a blessing for a good night’s sleep.

Dinner could be served at our own pace which was ideal with a fussy 1 year old who loves nothing more than to throw everything on the ground in the evening.

Hiking to Tappenkarsee with a Baby

The trail is beautiful, well-marked, and not technical, but it’s also fairly steep in sections and includes a consistent climb through forest and rocky paths.

We did this hike with our baby in a sturdy Thule back carrier, and while it was definitely manageable, it was also a good workout. The elevation gain is around 500–600 meters, depending on where you start (Jägersee or Schwabalm), and the trail is not stroller-friendly. If the toll road is open, we highly recommend parking at Schwabalm to shorten the route and make the experience more enjoyable.

A few tips for hiking Tappenkarsee with a baby:

• Use a well-padded back carrier with solid support — you’ll appreciate it on the steeper sections.
• Start early to hike during the coolest part of the day, especially in summer.
• Pack layers for your baby — the weather can change quickly in the mountains.
• Take breaks — there are a few scenic spots and benches along the way, and the lake area at the top is perfect for a picnic, feed, or change.

It’s not the easiest baby-friendly hike, but with the right mindset and gear, it’s absolutely worth it. The views at Tappenkarsee are breathtaking, and sharing that moment with your little one? Pure magic.

Tappenkarsee Hike – A Step-by-Step Guide

This full-day loop hike is one of the most scenic routes in Salzburg’s Alps, combining lush forests, an alpine lake, panoramic ridge views, and cozy mountain huts. It’s a moderately challenging route that’s best done between late June and early October when all trails and huts are open.

Step 1 – Start at Jägersee

Park at Jägersee, a beautiful glacial lake just outside of Kleinarl. There’s a large parking area, toilets, and a restaurant nearby. If the toll road is open, you can shorten the hike by continuing to Schwabalm by car (see next step). Otherwise, start walking along the gravel path on the left side of Jägersee toward Schwabalm — about 3.6 km / 1 hour on foot through the forest.

Step 2 – Schwabalm Car Park

This is the official trailhead for Tappenkarsee. If you drove up the toll road, this is where your hike begins. From Schwabalm, follow the well-marked trail 722 as it climbs steadily through pine forest and across wooden footbridges, gaining elevation as you go.

Step 3 – Hike up to Tappenkarsee

After about 1.5 hours of uphill hiking, the trees open up to reveal your first views of Tappenkarsee, one of the largest alpine lakes in the Eastern Alps. The turquoise water surrounded by high cliffs is absolutely breathtaking.

Step 4 – Break at Tappenkarsee Alm

Once you reach the lake, follow the shoreline to Tappenkarsee Alm — the first of two mountain huts along the lake. This is a great spot to stop for a snack or drink while soaking in the views.

Step 5 – Continue to Tappenkarseehütte

Continue along the lake for another 15–20 minutes to reach Tappenkarseehütte, a traditional mountain hut with homemade food, a sunny terrace, and warm hospitality. It’s also a good lunch stop before starting the steeper section of the loop.

Step 6 – Climb to Draugsteintörl

From the hut, follow signs toward Draugsteintörl — a high mountain pass at 2,077 m elevation. This is the most demanding part of the hike with rougher terrain and about 400 meters of elevation gain, but the views from the top are well worth it. You’ll get panoramic vistas over the alpine valley and surrounding peaks.

Step 7 – Return to Tappenkarsee Alm

Descend back down the same trail to Tappenkarsee Alm, which now makes the perfect stop for an afternoon coffee, Kaiserschmarrn, or even a beer if you’re not driving.

Step 8 – Hike down to Schwabalm Car Park

Follow the same route back down from the lake to Schwabalm — expect a 1-hour descent on a well-maintained trail with great views along the way.

Step 9 – Return to Jägersee

If you parked at Schwabalm, your hike ends here. Otherwise, walk the 3.6 km gravel path back along the river to Jägersee, where you can reward yourself with a lakeside drink or meal.

Total Hiking Time

Total (with walk from Jägersee): approx. 7–8 hours

Jägersee to Schwabalm: 1 hour (or drive)

Schwabalm to Tappenkarsee: 1.5 hours

Tappenkarsee to Draugsteintörl and back: 2.5–3 hours

Descent to Schwabalm: 1 hour

Schwabalm to Jägersee: 1 hour

If you have any questions about how to visit Salzburg or if you want to share your experience, comment below!

More information on the Salzburg region in Austria

The Perfect Salzburg 1 Week Travel Guide

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Charlotte

Hi! We’re Charlotte, Christof & César!

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