Kaiser Max - D (E)
Elevation: 350 m / Lenght: 280 m
Approach: 15 min / Duration: 1-2 hrs
Rating: 3/5
If you ever find yourself near Innsbruck and you're looking for an attractive, airy via ferrata with a short approach, this route is an excellent choice.
What surprised me the most was running into a couple of mountain goats right here. Apparently, they don't live only on remote alpine plateaus — you can spot them even near towns, villages, and highways.
The entire ferrata is rated D/E. The most difficult section can be avoided by taking an escape route located roughly halfway up the wall, leading to a viewpoint carved into the rock with a summit cross. This is the option I chose as my endpoint. Before you reach that junction, however, you need to climb an exposed C/D section. It feels demanding mainly mentally rather than physically.
The descent doubles as an educational trail dedicated to a local prince, so during the hour-long walk back down you'll even pick up a bit of history.
Circular route with an escape option before the E section of the ferrata.