Karwendel High Altitude Trail
One of the most beautiful and eventful high-altitude trails in the Alps
Karwendel - that is the epitome of untouched nature and rugged peaks, of austere beauty and wild solitude. Hiking through this elemental part of the Northern Alps on a high-altitude trail seems very presumptuous at first.
However, the Karwendel Höhenweg cleverly finds the weak points between the inaccessible mountain ranges and is good and enjoyable for sure-footed and experienced hikers accompanied by a mountain guide. However, nothing is given away.
The paths are narrow and in part incredibly exposed, they are meaningfully called Gipfelstürmer-, Adler- and Goetheweg or even Wilde-Bande-Steig. The fact that we don't conquer any summits on the Gipfelstürmerweg, don't get to see any eagles on the Adlerweg and walk the Goetheweg more as well-behaved mountaineers than as a wild gang, let's forget it!
All in all, the names somehow fit. In the steep cirque to the Frau Hitt-Scharte we actually feel like budding summit strikers, on the Adlerweg we have a bird's eye view of the Tyrolean capital and yes, wild must have been the gang that came up with paths like from the Stempenjoch to the Lafatscherjoch through the steepest rock and craggy terrain.
Another special feature of the Karwendel Höhenweg is the excellent rest points: The food is excellent - prepared with love and from regional ingredients - the hut evenings leave enough time to "dig" into the eventful Karwendel history or simply for good conversation over beer and wine (or another drink). All in all, the Karwendel High Trail is one of the most beautiful and eventful high-altitude trails in the Alps!
The DAV huts Solsteinhaus, Pfeishütte and Bettelwurfhütte await you as bases for this tour.
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Program and schedule
- Mountain guide:in
- 3 x overnight stay in a hut
- 3 x breakfast buffet
- 3 x multi-course evening menu (vegetarian or vegan, please note when booking)
- Sea to Summit Daypack
- 1 x return transfer to Zirl
- Online training (1 h)
- 10% discount code for your purchases at bergfreunde.de
Additional costs
- Snacks, drinks
- Arrival
1st day: Meeting point in the early afternoon and ascent from Zirl through a veritable fairytale forest to the Solstein house (1.806 m). (900 m ascent, 3 hours)
Day 2The dream and key stage from the Solsteinhaus via the Gipfelstürmerweg and Adlerweg to the Pfeishütte. The crossing over the 2,270 m high Frau Hitt Sattel, which is partly secured by a wire rope, is particularly spectacular and quite challenging. From the Seegrube, pure enjoyment follows, a dream panoramic trail over the Hafelekar and via the Götheweg to the Pfeishütte (1.922 m). (1,200 m with use of the train, otherwise 1,550 m ascent, 1,600 m descent, 9 hours)
Day 3Hard to believe that there are still ascents - the Stempeljochspitze (2,529 m) offers an excellent view over the entire Karwendel, the descent from the Stempeljoch demands full concentration once again, then it is surprisingly easy via the Wilde-Bande-Steig to the Adlerhorst of the Beggar's hut (2.077 m). (1,000 m with summit ascent, otherwise 600 m ascent, 800 or 400 m descent, 7 or 5 hours)
Day 4Only one descent, but it is the very best and leads spectacularly down into the Halltal valley. On the return transfer to Zirl, you can then marvel at many passages of the Karwendel Höhenweg from below. (1,300 m descent, 4 hours)
Note on program changes:
All courses and guided tours are conscientiously organized and carried out in accordance with the safety standards of the Vivalpin Mountain and Ski School with qualified specialists (e.g. mountain and ski guides, mountain hiking guides, etc.). The provisional tour program may be adjusted for safety-related reasons, such as bad weather, dangerous conditions, unforeseen natural events or inadequate conditions of the participants. The final program will be decided by the guide on site.
- 1,200 m ascent and 1,600 m descent (see tour plan)
- Stamina for up to 9 hours hiking with luggage
- Surefootedness and head for heights required for many exposed ridges
- Private preparation tour with comparable altitude differences recommended
You can find information on estimating altitude meters and difficulty information here. If in doubt, please call our office or send us an e-mail!
"I walked the Karwendelhöhenweg for the first time with my family in 2018. And was absolutely thrilled.
Every day, passages await you that are unparalleled in the Alps. However, the Karwendel High Trail is also more technically demanding than the other Alpine crossings in the Vivalpin program.
In any case, you should be sure-footed, have a head for heights and have experience of walking on red and black hiking trails."
Christof Schellhammer
State-certified mountain and ski guide
Mountain School Director
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