Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
You’ve head of Hahnenkamm above Kitzbühel as it hosts one of the top downhill ski races every January.
The Hahnenkammrennen is the classic downhill course, the Streif (streak, or stripe), which many regard as the most demanding on the World Cup circuit.
One section has a slope of 85 degrees!
Like many hikes in the Alp, you can catch a cable car in the summer. Hike near the top of the mountain, and either ride down — or WALK down, as I did.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I generally followed Hahnenkamm – Seidlalm – Ganslernalm on AllTrails. But diverged a number of times if any other trail heading downhill looked more interesting.
The Seidlalm reservoirs were a highlight, slightly off that route.
With good weather I did find it an easy day. Starting at the top of the mountain (2000m) and finishing in Kitzbühel (762m), it IS a lot of downhill. 😀
IF headed for Austria, do some research into tourist passes.
For example, many hostels and hotels can give you a FREE tourist card.
Out of Kitzbühel, that means free train and bus travel.
Free transportation over this area.
With that card, next check for deals on lift tickets. Over 3 days. Over 5 days. Etc.
besthike.com 
I’ve just returned from the very same place.
The history of the ski race made it special for me. Ken Read from my home town in Canada was one winner.
Yep. I sat on the Ken Read gondola carriage, along with the one named after ‘our’ very own Dave Ryding.