Lake Tappenkarsee Hike in Salzburg, Austria

Tappenkarsee is a mountain lake nestled in the Radstädter Tauern Mountains of Salzburg, Austria. Situated at an elevation of 1763 meters, Tappenkarsee is one of the highest mountain lakes in the Eastern Alps. 

This Salzburg lake is a satisfying hiking destination, because it’s surrounded by striking, rugged mountains and home to the rustic Tappenkarsee Alm (alpine pasture hut) and charming Tappenkarseehütte (mountain hut). These managed huts are usually open from early June until mid/late September. 

Lake Tappenkarsee is only accessible by foot. To start the hike, drive or take a bus to Lake Jägersee in Kleinarl Valley. Jägersee is 4 km south of Kleinarl and 11.6 km south of Wagrain. 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.

After climbing up to Tappenkarsee, we recommend extending the hike to the Draugsteintörl saddle. This extended circuit is the highlight of the tour, because it affords wonderful and ever-changing vistas of the lake. 

There’s no technical difficulty along this route. It’s moderate throughout. However, the Tappenkarsee hut – Draugsteintörl – Tappenkarsee Alm trail can be dangerously slippery after rainfall.

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Tappenkarsee Trail Map

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Where to Start the Tappenkarsee Hike

Schwabalm Car Park 

The Schwabalm Car Park is located between Jägersee and Tappenkarsee. It’s accessible by a toll road, which is only open from early June until early/mid October. 

For exact dates, please reach out to the Wagrain-Kleinarl tourist office: info@wagrain-kleinarl.at

If the toll road is open, start the hike at the Schwabalm Car Park. This will shorten the hike by 7.2 km (2 hours total). 

Toll Road Operating Times | 

• June & July: 6 am – 9 pm
• August: 6 am – 8 pm
• September & October: 7 am – 7 pm 

Toll Fee | 6 EUR per vehicle

Toll Payment | Cash Only 

Location | Google Maps

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Jägersee

If the toll road is closed, park at the Jägersee Car Park.  

Location | Google Maps 

If you’re arriving by public transit, the closest bus stop to Tappenkarsee is at Jägersee. Use postbus.at to look of bus timeables.

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Jägersee – Tappenkarsee – Draugsteintörl Trail Description

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Jägersee to Schwabalm Car Park (1 hour)

The hike from Jägersee (1099 m) to Schwabalm (1205 m) mostly follows the toll road. 

Pass the toll booth and barrier gate and follow the road south along the eastern shore of Jägersee. 

Beyond the lake, a trail branches off the road and runs parallel to the Kleinarlbach stream. Follow signs to Schwabalm and Tappenkarsee (trail 722). 

The hiking path rejoins the toll road and continues up Kleinarl Valley to the Schwabalm car park. 

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Schwabalm Car Park to Tappenkarsee (1:45 – 2 hours)

The forest trail continues up the valley.  After crossing a streambed, the trail climbs up a series of serpentines through a mixed forest of birch, beech, spruce and larch. 

As you gain elevation, views open up to Kleinarl Valley and Jägersee. 

Towards the end of the ascent, the trail steepens and is bolstered with wooden railings and timber steps.

Shortly before reaching Lake Tappenkarsee, the path levels out. Cross the footbridge over Kleinarlbach stream and walk to the Tappenkarsee lakeshore. 

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Tappenkarsee – Tappenkarsee Alm – Tappenkarsee Hut (35 minutes)

The narrow path leads along the western shore to Tappenkarsee Alm (1768 m). 

The lake views get increasingly better as you near the alpine pasture hut. 

Pass the alpine pasture hut and continue following the lake path to Tappenkarseehütte, signed 30 minutes.

The hut stands on a hillside 50 meters above the lake. Tappenkarseehütte is an Austrian Alpine Club mountain hut. 

Day visitors can order food and drinks at the hut during the day. Payment: cash only. 

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Tappenkarsee Hut to Draugsteintörl (45 minutes – 1 hour)

At the Tappenkarsee Hut junction (1820 m), head right in the direction of Draugsteintörl, signed 1 hour. 

The trail ascends to another signed junction. Turn right again in the direction of Draugsteintörl – Hüttschlag (trail 702A).

Trail 702A runs in a northwest direction across tussock slopes and meadows. Throughout the traverse, there are wonderful, ever-changing views of Tappenkarsee, backed by Rothorn, Wildkarhöhe, Wildkarkopf, Weissgrubenkopf.

It’s important to follow the short timber poles, so you don’t end up on an animal path.

Eventually, the trail crosses a basin, where views of the lake are obstructed by a rise/natural incline.

At the signed junction, either detour 10 minutes to the Draugsteintörl mountain saddle (2077 m) or head straight down to Tappenkarsee Alm.

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Draugsteintörl to Tappenkarsee Alm (45 minutes)

Trail 87 descends across grassy slopes and meadows towards the lake, steepening with time. 

A dilapidated railing and a few timber steps steer you down to a stream. 

Follow the stream to the Tappenkarsee Alm and lakeshore. 

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Tappenkarsee Alm to Jägersee (2 hours)

Follow the same route down to Schwabalm Car Park and Jägersee.

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Where to Stay near Tappenkarsee

There are two towns in Kleinarl Valley: Kleinarl and Wagrain. Both are well-positioned for excursions to Jägersee, Tappenkarsee, Liechtensteinklamm Gorge, and the Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave in Werfen. Every guest in Wagrain-Kleinarl receives the Salzburger Sportwelt Card (guest card) free of charge upon arrival. This card grants you free admission to the Wagrain Water World every day. 

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Kleinarl 

Budget | Privatzimmer/Apartments Schwarzenbacher is a no-frills guesthouse in Kleinarl with various rooms and apartments. Breakfast is included for guests staying in rooms. 

Midrange | Hotel Ennskraxblick is a welcoming, family-friendly hotel with rooms and apartments. Guests can book breakfast-only or half board (breakfast and dinner). Children have access to a playground, ping pong table, trampoline, badminton, and more. 

Look for accommodation in Kleinarl.

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Wagrain 

Midrange | Wanderhotel Erika is an excellent, family-friendly hotel which caters to hikers with an on-site restaurant, bar, and two saunas (Finnish and bio). Guests praise the staff, cuisine (breakfast and dinner), and location. 

Luxury | The MATTHEW – Copper Lodge is a new and modern 4-star hotel in Wagrain which is frequently described as “flawless,” “exceptional,” and “perfect.” The hotel’s wellness area comprises a heated indoor-outdoor pool, swimming pond and garden, sauna area (textile and nude), relaxation room, and vitamin bar. The hotel bar is a bustling meeting place serving innovative cocktails and wine, open daily from 4 pm until midnight. 

Look for accommodation in Wagrain.

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