Karwendel High Trail Hiking Guide

 Karwendel High Trail Difficulty

Each stage varies in difficulty.

Stage 1: Scharnitz – Hallerangerhaus: EASY. The entire route follows a wide gravel track.

Stage 2: Hallerangerhaus – Bettelwurfhütte: MODERATE. You can make this stage more challenging by adding the summit hike to Speckkarspitze Peak. The descent from the peak to Lafatscher Joch initially follows a very narrow and exposed ridgeline. You have to be extremely surefooted and not at all afraid of heights to tackle this ridge route.

Stage 3: Bettelwurfhütte – Pfeishütte: MODERATE. You can make Stage 3 longer and more interesting by adding the hike to Stempeljochspitze Peak. We highly recommend ascending to Stempeljochspitze from Stempeljoch on fair weather days. It’s not difficult, but highly rewarding.

Stage 4: Pfeishütte – Solsteinhaus: DIFFICULT. This is the most challenging Karwendel High Trail stage, because of its length (8 – 10 hours) and numerous ascending and descending passages. The descent from Frau Hitt Saddle is particularly challenging because of the unstable terrain (steep and slippery scree slope).

Stage 5: Solsteinhaus – Nördlinger Hütte: MODERATELY DIFFICULT. There are some very narrow segments along stage 5, where the trail has been washed out. This stage requires surefootedness and confidence along tight/narrow footpaths.

Stage 6: Nördlinger Hütte – Reith bei Seefeld: EASY – MODERATE 

Make Reservations for Mountain Huts

It’s important to make reservations for overnight stays at least 3-4 weeks in advance.

For most mountain huts, you can choose between sleeping in a shared dormitory room (“lager”) or a private room.

You can make reservations for some huts online using an online reservation platform. For others, you can make reservations by email, or phone.

Here are the websites of the mountain huts mentioned in this guide.

• Hallerangerhaus – Online Reservation via Alpsonline.
• Bettelwurfhütte – Online Reservation via Alpsonline.
• Pfeishütte – Online Reservation via Alpsonline.
• Solsteinhaus – Online Reservation Request Form.
• Nördlinger Hütte – Online Reservation via Alpsonline.

For more details re: making reservations, read Austrian Mountain Huts.

Karwendel High Trail Packing List

Read our full Hut to Hut Hiking Packing List for a comprehensive list of things to pack for this hike. 

• Trail Map: We used this Kompass Karwendelgebirge 1:50 000 Trail Map for this hike.
• Cash: Not all of the mountain huts along this route accept credit cards (as of Summer 2020). Budget 60 – 80 EUR per day per person. You’ll pay significantly less for overnight stays if you have an Alpine Club Membership Club.
• Hiking Gloves: Black Diamond Climbing Gloves. Though optional, gloves will help you safely grip cables and rocks.
• Backpack: The Osprey Kyte 36 (for women) and the Osprey Kestrel 38 (for men).
• Hiking Shoes: Grade B/C, high-cut hiking boots like the women’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX / Meindl Schuhe Island Lady (what Kati and I wear) or the men’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX.
• Cat 4 Sunglasses: Julbo Shield Mountain Sunglasses
• Recommended Trail Poles: Unisex Black Diamond Hiking Poles

Photography Gear for Hiking the Karwendel High Trail

• Camera Body: Sony Alpha a6400
• Mid-range Zoom Lens: Tamron 17-70mm 2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
• Wide angle Zoom Lens: Sony – E 10-18mm F4 OSS Wide-angle Zoom Lens
• Backpack Camera Clip: Peak Design Camera Clip

How to Get to Seefeld in Tirol

• From Austria. You can take a direct train from Innsbruck, Austria, to Seefeld in Tirol. Transit Time: 37 minutes.
• From Germany. You can take a direct train from Munich, Germany, to Seefeld in Tirol. Transit Time: 2 hours 11 minutes.

Book your Train Ticket to Seefeld in Tirol.

Where to Stay in Seefeld in Tirol

Budget | Lifestylehotel dasMAX is a sleek and modern hotel, set in the center of Seefeld, very close to the train station. Bedrooms feature soundproof windows and contemporary Danish furniture. Guests have access to an on-site bistro, 25 hour honesty bar, wellness area with a sauna and rooftop relaxation space. Breakfast is available from 7:30 – 10:30 am for an extra charge (15 EUR per person). 

Midrange | Oasis Princess Bergfrieden is a traditional, Austrian hotel in Seefeld, just 5 minutes from the town center. A wonderful breakfast buffet is included in the room rate. Guests love the comfortable beds, wellness facilities (heated indoor pool, steam sauna, sauna, rain shower), and mountain-facing garden and sun terrace. 

Luxury | Wellnesshotel Schönruh is a traditional, adults-only, 4-star hotel in Seefeld. Highlights of staying here include the 3/4 Pension (breakfast, lunch and dinner included in room rate), the extensive wellness area, and the excellent service. Wellnesshotel Schönruh caters to an older audience. If you’re looking for a more youthful and modern place to stay, also check out their other hotel Alpenlove Spa Hotel.

Look for accommodation in Seefeld in Tirol.

How to Get to the Trailhead

Take a train or a bus from Seefeld to Scharnitz.

Stage 1: Scharnitz (964 m) – Gleirschhöhe (1069 m) – Kastenalm  (1220 m) – Hallerangerhaus (1768 m)

• Distance: 19.7 km
• Difficulty: Easy
• Minimum Elevation: 961m
• Maximum Elevation: 1767 m
• Total climb: 854 m
• Total descent: 48 m
• Time Needed: 5:30 – 6:00 hours
• Lunch Option: Kastenalm (Cash Only)

Stage 1 of the Karwendel High Trail follows the Isar River through Hinterautal Valley. You’ll hike along a wide gravel track, which doubles as the Isarradweg cycling route, the entire day.

From the Scharnitz train station, head south into the village. After crossing a bridge over the Isar, turn left onto Hinterautalstrasse (street), between the Pfarrkirche Mariahilf (church) and the Goldener Adler hotel.

Continue along the Isarpromenade through a residential area. After crossing a bridge, you’ll see a parking lot and the entrance to Naturpark Karwendel, marked by a large wooden signboard.

From here, you can access three different valleys: Karwendeltal, Hinterautal, and Gleirschtal.

Stay in Hinterautal, following signs to Hallerangerhaus.

The trail runs parallel to the Isar river. We recommend staying on the northern-side (left-side) of the river, even though there’s an opportunity to walk on the opposite side.

We crossed the river at Schraffelbrücke bridge, passing Scharnitzer Alm, and then ultimately crossed back at Gleirschhöhe.

While it was more peaceful on the right-side, it was a bit confusing getting back to the main hiking trail, after crossing the Gleirschbach stream.

From Gleirschhöhe, continue along the wide gravel track for 10 kilometers to Kastenalm.

Along the route, you’ll see the impressive Gleirsch-Halltal-Kette mountain chain tower above the crystal-clear, gurgling Isar. As you progress, wooden benches beckon you to rest and enjoy the view.

Eventually, you’ll reach an intersection, where the trail steers right towards Hallerangerhaus. We recommend continuing straight to Kastenalm for a bite to eat.

Kastenalm is an alpine pasture hut at the foot of Hoher Gleirsch and Rigelkarspitze. This is a self-service hut. You can order drinks, cheese and/or meat platters, and cake here. The platters are served with bread and pickles. Here’s the menu:

• Große Platte (Käse, Speck, Kaminwurzen) – Large platter with cheese, bacon, and sausage
• Gemischte Platte (Käse, Speck) – Mixed platter with cheese and bacon
• Speck Platte – Bacon platter
• Käse Platte – Cheese platter
• Kaminwurzen – sausage

From Kastenalm, backtrack to the last intersection and ascend 560 meters (5 km) to Hallerangerhaus. As you approach the Kohleralm alpine pasture, the views of Speckkarspitze are extraordinary.

Cows graze here in summer. Make sure to keep a safe distance. Avoid startling and disturbing them.

Stay in Hallerangerhaus

• Reservation: Online-Reservation via Alpsonline
• Showers: 2 EUR for a 4-minute shower. Token operated.
• Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink
• Electronic Charging Stations: In the main dining area, where you check-in
• Payment: Cash, or Credit Card
• Food: Okay
• Half Board or à la carte: Both available
• Rooms: Dormitory, and private rooms

Hallerangerhaus is a lovely hut, overlooking the Hallerangeralm and facing the mighty Mount Lafatscher. Throughout the night, we could still hear the cowbells chiming from the pastures below. The hut staff was attentive and kind.

Stage 2: Hallerangerhaus (1768 m) – Durchschlag – Speckkarspitze (2621 m) – Lafatscher Joch (2081 m) – Bettelwurfhütte (2077 m)

• Distance: 8.5 km
• Difficulty: Difficult, if you hike to Speckkarspitze (optional). Only add this variation, on days with great visibility and stable weather. 
• Minimum Elevation: 1756 m
• Maximum Elevation: 2619 m
• Total climb: 1017 m
• Total descent: 701 m
• Time Needed: 6:30 hours (with breaks)
• Lunch Option: None. You can order a lunch packet at Hallerangerhaus.

Stage 2 of the Karwendel High Trail is 2:30 hours (5.8 km) if you hike directly from Hallerangerhaus to Bettelwurfhütte.

To make this stage more interesting, we recommend hiking to the Speckkarspitze peak.

Hallerangerhaus to Speckkarspitze (2:15 – 3 hours)

Follow signs to Lafatscher Joch (1 hour) and Speckkarspitze (3 hours). Initially. the path is quite gentle, spoiling you with views of Grosser Lafatscher. But, soon you start ascending a steep rock-laden gully.

After about 35-40 minutes, the trail cuts to the right, leaving the scree slope. You’ll follow a gentle balcony trail and continue ascending until you reach a signed intersection, where you’ll turn left in the direction of the peak (2 hours).

If the weather conditions aren’t stable, do not hike to the summit. Simply continue straight to Lafatscher Joch, the mountain saddle between Grosser Lafatscher and Speckkarspitze.

The ascent is quite straightforward. You’ll hike up along loopy switchbacks, gaining elevation gradually. The glaciated peaks of the Zillertal and Stubai Alps shimmer along the horizon.

The last 30-minutes to the summit is partially secured with cables and requires some scrambling.

From the summit of Speckkarspitze, you’ll see Innsbruck and the Inntal Valley, flanked by the Tux Alps and the Stubai Alps. On the other side, you’ll see the Karwendel mountain range, sprawling out in layers.

Speckkarspitze Ridge to Lafatscher Joch (1:40 hours)

The ascent to the peak is manageable, but the descent from the peak to Lafatscher Joch (mountain pass) is far more difficult, as you have to navigate a narrow ridgeline.

If the ridge descent is out of your comfort zone, simply descend the way you came up, and follow the main route to Lafatscher Joch.

Following the red-painted waymarks, descend along the ridge. There are some extremely narrow passages. Be very careful.

After about 40-minutes of ridge hiking, the trail eases up and continues along scree switchbacks to the Lafatscher saddle.

Lafatscher Joch to Bettelwurfhütte (1:40 hours)

From Lafatscher saddle, continue east (left). You’ll follow a balcony trail with very minimal grade variation.

The trail cuts across karst stone, scree, and dirt terrain, high above beautiful Halltal Valley and the Alpengasthaus St. Magdalena.

You’ll encounter a few sections with iron rungs and pegs, for assistance.

You’ll see the red-roofed Bettelwurfhütte clinging to the mountain-side, long before you arrive.

Stay in Bettelwurfhütte

• Reservation: Online-Reservation via Alpsonline
• Showers: None
• Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink
• Electronic Charging Stations: Hallway and in the dining room
• Payment: Cash, or EC-Cards
• Food: Good
• Half Board or à la carte: Both available. You can decide what to order by 4 pm.
• Rooms: Private and Dormitory

Built in 1894, the historic balcony-like Bettelwurfhütte is a welcoming mountain refuge overlooking Absam and Hall in Tirol. On a sunny day, the outdoor terrace invites you to eat, drink, and be merry. Frequented by Klettersteig (via ferrata) climbers, this hut has an acutely local vibe. At night, the Inntal valley twinkles like starlight.

Stage 3: Bettelwurfhütte (2077 m) – Lafatscher Joch (2081 m) – Wilde Band Steig – Stempeljoch (2215 m) – Kleine Stempeljochspitze (2529 m) – Pfeishütte (1922 m)

• Distance: 10.7 km
• Difficulty: Moderately difficult. The only difficult part about this stage is ascending to the Stempeljoch saddle. 
• Minimum Elevation: 1920 m
• Maximum Elevation: 2525 m
• Total climb: 701 m
• Total descent: 859 m
• Time Needed: 6 hours with Stempeljochspitze
• Lunch Option: We ate lunch at Pfeishütte as soon as we arrived. Their Knödel (dumplings) are outstanding!

Bettelwurfhütte to Stempeljoch (3 hours)

Stage 3 of the Karwendel High Trail returns to Lafatscher Joch saddle by the same route. Your hike will likely be accompanied by the sound of falling scree, courtesy of hundreds of galloping chamois.

Keep your eyes out for the adorable, fluffy babies. Kati was able to capture great photos of the chamois with her SONY Cyber-shot DSC-HX 400V.

From the saddle, continue west, following signs to Stempeljoch (signed 1:15 hours) and Pfeishütte (signed 2 hours).

You’ll hike along the Wilde Band Steig, which is a level track, lined with dwarf pine. The trail is overall easy (in dry conditions), though narrow at times.

There’s one short passage, secured with steel pegs and rungs, that requires some concentration. Face the mountain as you descend, using the steel fixtures to safely step down.

As you continue along the trail the jagged Lattenspitzen peaks steal all your attention.

Ultimately, the Wilde Band Steig delivers you to a scree slope. You’ll ascend 30 minutes up this steep slope, along switchbacks to Stempeljoch. The trail is someone bolstered by wooden beams, steps, and rubber “tires.” It’s a calf burner!

When you reach the Stempel saddle, you can continue directly to Pfeishütte (45 minutes), or detour to Kleine Stempeljochspitze peak (1 hour). This peak is fairly easy to ascend, so definitely bag it.

Stempeljoch to Kleine Stempeljochspitze (1 hour to summit / 2 hours out-and-back)

From the saddle, follow the trail heading right, and ascend along the dirt path up the grassy slope. As you gain elevation, the Lattenspitzen spires look like a colossal pillar coral.

You’ll ascend switchbacks along this earthy track almost the whole time. The final 230 meters to the cross-crowned summit is rocky.

Kleine Stempeljochspitze delivers panoramic views of Samertal valley, Innsbruck, and countless Karwendel peaks.

Stempeljoch to Pfeishütte (40 minutes)

To reach your final destination, you’ll descend along a gently descending trail. It’s stunning!

Stay in Pfeishütte

• Online Reservation: Online-Reservation via Alpsonline
• Showers: 1 EUR for 1 Min. The shower was room temperature.
• Drinking Water: Only in the washroom, or outside. Look for the “Trinkwasser” sign.
• Electronic Charging Stations: When you enter the hut (main entrance), there’s a charging station at the end of the hallway.
• Payment: Credit Cards, or Cash
• Food: Excellent. Drinks are self-service.
• Half Board or à la carte: When you check-in, the hut manager will present the daily menu. You can choose between 3 main dishes. You can also opt for a 1-course, 2-course, or 3-course dinner.
• Rooms: Dormitory and Private rooms available.

This memorable Karwendel mountain hut is an absolute delight to stay in. The interior is charming and full of character. The location is spectacular. And, the staff is amiable.

Stage 4: Pfeishütte (1922 m) – Mandlscharte (2314 m) – Mühlkarscharte (2243 m) – Gleirschjöchl – Hafelekar Aerialway Station (2269 m) – Seegrube Aerialway Station (1966 m) – Frau Hitt Sattel (2224 m) – Solsteinhaus (1806 m)

• Distance: 17.9 km
• Difficulty: Challenging. This is an extremely long stage, with countless ascents and descents. Technically, the most challenging section is the descent from Frau Hitt Saddle. 
• Minimum Elevation: 1458 m
• Maximum Elevation: 2276 m
• Total climb: 1499 m
• Total descent: 1615 m
• Time Needed: 8:30 -10 hours. It took us 9 hours.
• Lunch Option: Restaurant Seegrube
• Tip: Take the cableway from Hafelekar to Seegrube. You won’t miss anything, and it’ll save your legs a good 370 meters of grueling downhill.
• How to break up this stage: This is an immensely rewarding stage, but it’s taxing. You can break up this hike, by descending to Innsbruck via the Hafelekar and Seegrube cableways. Stay the night in Innsbruck, and then return to Seegrube to continue the hike the next day.
• Stage 4 Alternative: If it’s raining, or you want to opt for an easier route, you can hike from Pfeishütte through Samertal Valley (Trail 221) and Grosskristental Valley (Trail 16, 213) to Solsteinhaus. That’s the safest and fastest route. Along the way, you can eat at Möslalm.

Pfeishütte to Hafelekar Bergstation (2:30 hours)

From Pfeishütte, follow signs to Goetheweg, Mandlscharte (1 hour), and Hafelekar Bergstation (2:30 hours). After about 20-minutes, the trail divides.

Take the right trail, known as Goetheweg and continue ascending to Mandlscharte (notch). Here, you’ll see Zugspitze (Germany’s Highest Mountain) and the Wetterstein Mountain Range.

From the notch, the trail descends steeply, but quickly levels out, horizontally crossing rock-laden slopes for some time. There are some steel cables along the route.

Eventually, you’ll hike over Mühlkarscharte (2243 m), and you’ll see the Inntal Valley below. The trail follows a sensational balcony path high above the valley.

When you get to Gleirschjöchl, Hafelekar is signed 40 minutes.

Hafelekar Bergstation to Seegrube (1 hour)

From Hafelekar, the trail plummets along tight, steep switchbacks, down a grassy slope. It’s tedious, but at least the views of Innsbruck are epic. We highly recommend opting for the cableway instead.

Seegrube to Frau Hitt Sattel (1:30 hours)

From Seegrube, continue west. You’ll follow a level path across grassy slopes for a long time.

When the trail divides, follow the sign to “Solsteinhaus über Gipfelstürmerweg” not “Frau Hitt Sattle Schmidhubersteig,” taking the lower track.

When the trail divides again, take the upper track to Frau Hitt Sattel (45 minutes) and Solsteinhaus (4:30 hours).

Careful here. Lots of sheep graze along this slope, so it’s easy to continue straight along a sheep track. Soon after the last intersection, the trail heads up the mountain, making a 90-degree turn.

There’s a waymark on an inconspicuous rock, that directs you onto the right path. We missed it because we were following the sheep.

Now, the hiking really begins. You’ll zig-zag up the steep slope until you reach the Frau Hitt Saddle.

Frau Hitt Sattel to Solsteinhaus (3:30 hours)

Initially, your descent is secured with cables and rungs. Face the mountain, as you make your way down.

Then, the nightmare begins. In my opinion, this section is the hardest part of the whole Karwendel Höhenweg. The trail steeply descends a semi-scree slope.

It’s slippery and tricky, and you have to be really vigilant. Eventually, the slope is entirely scree and you can gleefully descend, sticking your heals into the rocks, smiling as the hikers coming up (poor bastards).

Trail 215 levels out significantly and you’ll continue descending in the direction of Kleinkristental valley.

When the trail divides, head left along Gipfelstürmerweg trail, following signs to Solsteinhaus (3 hours).

The hard part is over, but you still have to tackle a series of ascents and descents and a few secured passages.

You’ll hike across some scenic high alpine pastures, before descending through the Knappenwald forest. When you reach the valley floor (Grosskristental), it’s one final ascent to Solsteinhaus.

Luckily, it’s not as painful as it would seem. Shortly before arriving at the hut, you’ll pass the Erlalm alpine pasture. The hut is directly behind it.

Stay in Solsteinhaus

• Reservation: Online Reservation Request Form
• Showers: 3 EUR for 3 minutes (90 seconds of hot water, 50-second “soap break,” followed by 90 seconds of hot water). Token operated.
• Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink
• Electronic Charging Stations: Ask the staff. You’ll hand over your device (phone, etc…) to the staff and they’ll give you a laminated card. To retrieve your device, hand back the card.
• Payment: Cash Only
• Food: Excellent
• Half Board or à la carte: Half-board recommended. Wonderful salad buffet included.
• Rooms: Private and dormitory available.

This is an absolutely phenomenal Tyrolean mountain hut. The food is outstanding. The management is excellent. And, we’d love to return someday.

Stage 5: Solsteinhaus (1806 m) – Eppzirler Scharte (2102 m) – Breiter Sattel (1794 m) – Ursprungsattel (2087 m) Nördlinger Hütte (2239 m)

• Distance: 6.2 km
• Difficulty: Moderately Difficult. In a few areas, the trail is washed out and very narrow. 
• Minimum Elevation: 1760 m
• Maximum Elevation: 2243 m
• Total climb: 829 m
• Total descent: 391 m
• Time Needed: 3:30 – 4:00 hours
• Lunch Option: Eat lunch at Nördlinger Hütte

Karwendel High Trail Stage 5 (east to west) is supposed to be glorious. Unfortunately, we had poor weather conditions (fog and rain) throughout the day, so we didn’t see very much.

From Solsteinhaus, it’s 1 hour (200-meter ascent) to Eppzirler Scharte. Initially, you’ll follow a level trail north-east.

After crossing the Ehnbach stream, the trail continues across talus slopes, bringing you to a signed trail intersection, bolted to the mountain.

Head right to Eppzirler Scharte (20 minutes) and climb up the steep talus slope of Höllkar, flanked by impressive vertical spires.

From Eppzirler Scharte, the trail initially descends along a few switchbacks in the direction of Eppzirler alm, before crossing the scree slopes of Kuhljoch.

When the trail divides, stay to the left, following trail 74 to Breiter Sattel.

When you reach Breiter Sattel, the trail sign indicated 2:30 hours to Nördlingerhütte over Ursprungsattel.

The trail horizontally crosses grassy slopes and then makes a rigorous ascent to Ursprungsattel, secured with cables and wooden steps.

From Ursprungsattel, it’s 1 km (~ 160 meters ascending ) to Nördlingerhütte.

Stay in Nördlingerhütte

• Online Reservation: Online-Reservation via Alpsonline
• Showers: None
• Drinking Water: Buy Bottled Water. You can’t drink the tap.
• Electronic Charging Stations: By the stairwell (upstairs).
• Payment: Cash Only
• Food: Excellent
• Half Board or à la carte: Choose between 3 entrées. You can opt for a 1-course or 2-course meal.
• Rooms: Private and Dormitory

We loved this hut. Even though we didn’t see anything, we were happy to spend hours here, eating and reading. At night, the hut manager gives a briefing on the weather forecast and answers all trail-related questions.

Stage 6: Nördlinger Hütte (2239 m) – Reith bei Seefeld (1130 m)

• Distance: 5.6 km
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum Elevation: 1120 m
• Maximum Elevation: 2241 m
• Total climb: 0 m
• Total descent: 1121 m
• Time Needed: 3 hours

Alternative Stage 6: Nördlinger Hütte (2239 m) – Kuntersteig Trail – Härmelekopfbahn Mountain Station (2034 m) – Härmelekopfbahn Cableway – Rosshütte Funicular Mountain Station (1751 m) – Rosshütte-Seefeld Funicular – Seefeld in Tirol (1180 m)

• Distance: 1.8 km
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum Elevation: 2035 m
• Maximum Elevation: 2241 m
• Total climb: 0
• Total descent: 206 m
• Time Needed: 45 minutes – 1 hour

We opted for the alternative route down to Seefeld via a cableway and a funicular, because the weather conditions were still poor.

To reach the Härmelekopfbahn Mountain Station, follow the Kuntersteig trail. The cableway should start running at 9:15 am, but please confirm that with the staff at Nördlingerhütte.

When we arrived, it wasn’t operating, and we waited 45 minutes in the rain.

Also, we needed exact change to pay for the descending ticket (16 EUR per person) to Seefeld in Tirol.

You’ll get 2 EUR back when you return the reusable ticket at the ticket counter.

Stay in Seefeld

If you finish the trek in Reith by Seefeld, you can take a train back to Seefeld in Tirol. Otherwise, you can descend to Seefeld directly with the cableway and funicular (explained above), or hike down to Seefeld directly.

Budget | Lifestylehotel dasMAX

Midrange | Oasis Princess Bergfrieden

Luxury | Wellnesshotel Schönruh

Look for accommodation in Seefeld in Tirol.