Are you thinking about hiking the Karwendel High Trail in Austria? Plan your trip with my step-by-step guide based on my experience and spend 5 days hiking through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Tyrol. From traditional Tyrolean alpine huts, through ancient forests and challenging summits, the Karwendel High Trail has it all.
Karwendel High Trail: planning logistics
Important info about the trail
The Karwendel High Trail is a challenging multiday traverse that crosses the Karwendel Nature Park, Austria’s largest nature park. The trail was officially established in 2018. The Karwendel High Trail often crosses difficult black trails, secured with steel cables. They are characterised as very steep passages, where being free from vertigo is an absolute must. You definitely need a good amount of alpine experience to tackle this trail safely.
The original Karwendel High Trail measures 70 kilometres and is normally done in 6 days. Due to the forecast snowfall, my dad and I had to cancel our night at the Bettelwurf hut on day 4 and instead hike straight from Pfeishut to Hallerangerhaus, which I explain in detail later in the article. Luckily, we were able to change our plans at the last minute.
When to go: mid-June until 1st week of October
Days Required: 5-6
Total Distance: 59.2 km / 36.8 mi
Total Elevation Gain: 3450 m / 11320 ft
Highest point: 2374 m Reither Spitze
Trail Difficulty: Hard
Map required: Kompass Karwendel Mountains
Nearest towns: Reith, Seefeld, Scharnitz
The map & elevation profile of the Karwendel High Trail
Getting there
The Karwendel High Trail starts and ends at two locations: Seefeld (or Reith) and Scharnitz. They are very close to one another, and both are reachable by train.
By public transport
Seefeld, where the trail begins, and Scharnitz, where the Karwendel High Trail ends, lie on the S6 train line and are two stops (12 minutes) away from one another. Depending on the time of day, the train runs every 30 or 60 minutes. The S6 line connects Innsbruck, which is the nearest large city, with Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany. Innsbruck is only 38 minutes away from Seefeld. You can check for connections and buy tickets on the VVT (Verkehrsverbund Tirol) app.
By car
If you arrive by car, I recommend leaving it at a parking lot near the info centre in Scharnitz and then catching the train to Seefeld or Reith (depending on where you decide to start the hike). The train station is a 12-minute walk from the car park. That way, your car will wait for you at the end. Trust me, the last thing you want to do after hiking for a few days is figure out public transport connections to fetch your car.
The average daily cost of hiking the trail
All huts on the Karwendel High Trail belong to an Alpine Club and offer a discount on accommodation for Alpine Club members. The half-board options cost around 65-75 Euros/night for members and 75-85 Euros for non-members. Half-board includes dinner, bed, and breakfast. You also need some money for lunches, any extra drinks, and snacks you plan to purchase. I always find budget to be a very individual thing. People on a tight budget can get by on 80 euros per day by staying in the cheapest rooms. I usually spend between 100 and 120 Euros per night.
Where to stay before & after completing the Karwendel High Trail
If you would like to spend a few more days in Tyrol, before or after hiking the Karwendel High Trail, I recommend Seefeld as the nearby base. Seefeld lies on a high mountain plateau and is an excellent spot for hiking and mountain biking.
Best Value
The hotel is located near the pedestrian zone, with great access to restaurants and shops. Hotel guests receive the regional Guest Card upon arrival, which will cover their train ride between Scharnitz and Seefeld.
Top Rated
This hotel is located in a more peaceful area of Seefeld. Its biggest asset is the well-equipped wellness area.
Karwendel High Trail: day-by-day breakdown
The Karwendel High Trail can be walked in either direction, but most people, including my dad and me, choose to follow it counterclockwise, which is how I describe it in my article. I think following it counterclockwise makes more sense, because you will tackle the steeper passages going up, which is not only easier, but also safer. You can also use a gondola on day 3 and save ca. 300 meters of elevation gain on an already tough day.
Karwendel High Trail Day 1: Rosshütte to Nördlinger Hut
Distance
5.2 kilometres / 3.2 miles
Elevation gain/loss
760 m (2500 ft) / 280 m (920 ft)
Time required
3-3.5 hours
The map & elevation profile of day 1
Trail overview
I wanted to maximise the views while minimising effort, so I opted for an alternative approach to the Nördlinger hut on day 1 of the Karwendel High Trail. First, my dad and I took the mountain railway up to Rosshütte station, then we hiked 1.5 km to the summit of Seefelder Joch. From here, we followed the undulating trail and ticked off two more summits along the way to the Nördlinger hut: Seefelder Peak and Reither Spitze. The latter required minimal scrambling, and it is the highest point of the Karwendel High Trail.
The only downside to this route is that it is quite well-visited by day hikers, due to the ease of access, particularly the first part. Try to take the first train in the morning to avoid the crowds. The views are amazing, and we got our first glimpse of the Karwendel mountain range. All in all, it was a great warm-up day, and I stick to my decision. If you want to stick to the original trail, then scroll down to the alternative approach section.
TIP: If you think day 1 is not enough of a challenge, you can combine it with day 2 and skip the night at the Nördlinger hut. The total distance will be 12.5 km, with 1,230 meters of elevation gain and 1,180 meters of elevation loss.
Overnight stay & lunch possibilities
There are no huts between Rosshütte station and Nördlinger hut, but since day 1 only involves 3 hours of hiking, packing a sandwich to go from a bakery in Seefeld should be enough to keep you going. You can have a proper lunch once you reach the Nördlinger hut.
The Nördlinger hut (2238 m) is the first hut on the Karwendel High Trail, and it already sets the bar pretty high. The hut has existed since 1898. It was built on a ridgeline just below the summit of Reither Spitze. The location provides some spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
Day 1: Original approach
If you prefer to get to Nördlinger hut exclusively using the power of your legs, you should start the hike in Reith bei Seefeld. This is the original Karwendel High Trail. This approach also takes approximately 3 hours, but you will gain more elevation (1100 meters over 5.8 kilometres). Most of the hike is also within the tree line. The map below shows the train station in Reith as the starting point.
Karwendel High Trail Day 2: Nördlinger Hut to Solsteinhaus
Distance
7.3 kilometres / 4.5 miles
Elevation gain/loss
470 m (1540 ft) / 890 m (2920 ft)
Time required
4-4.5 hours
The map & elevation profile of day 2
Trail overview
Day 2 started quite intensely, with a sharp descent at times of up to 40%. What made it even more difficult was that we did this part in pouring rain, which meant we had to take extra caution. After 2.3 kilometres and ca. 450 meters of elevation loss, the trail flattens. The next two kilometres are an easy traverse underneath the Freiungen and Kühljochspitze mountains. Straight ahead, we could see what came next: the ascent to Eppzirler Col.
The ascent to the col is quite intense, with 300 meters of elevation gain over ca. 1 kilometre. We reached it after hiking for ca. 3 hours in total. Once at the Col, we saw Solsteinhaus, today’s target, in the distance. One more obstacle – a sharp descent along a scree slope stood between us and the hut. From the Col, it took us another hour to reach the hut.
Overnight stay & lunch possibilities on day 2
You won’t come across a mountain hut on day 2 of the Karwendel High Trail, so instead, I either recommend ordering lunch to go from the Nördlinger hut or packing enough snacks to power you through the day. You can have a proper late lunch when you arrive at Solsteinhaus.
Solsteinhaus (1805 m) is where you spend the second night on the Karwendel High Trail. The hut is quite large and well-visited. It is a popular day-trip destination, with the nearby town of Zirl as the starting point. The hut was very comfortable, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. I found their pay-per-use phone charging station very inefficient, and it was always taken.
Day 2: Early exit route
From Nördlinger hut, take trails no. 17, 74, and 212 in the direction of the Eppzirl Alm. Follow the Eppzirl valley until you reach a small village called Giessenbach. Here you can catch the S6 train to Seefeld or Innsbruck. The total distance of this exit route is 9.3 kilometres, with a 1,200-metre elevation loss. It will take approximately 3.5-4 hours.
Day 2: Possible extensions
From Solsteinhaus, you can summit the nearby Erlspitze on trail no. 8 B. It will add ca. 4 kilometres (round-trip) and 550 meters of elevation gain to your day. It takes ca. 3.5-4 hours to summit Erlspitze from Solsteinhaus (round trip).
Karwendel High Trail Day 3: Solsteinhaus to Pfeis Hut
Distance
18.8 kilometres / 11.7 miles
Elevation gain/loss
1350 m (4430 ft) / 1570
m (5150 ft)
Time required
8-9 hours
The map & elevation profile of day 3
Trail overview
Day 3 is the most intense day on the Karwendel High Trail, so make sure to get a good rest the night before. The trail involves crossing of 4 saddles. Once again, the weather was not in our favour, and we spent the first half of the day hiking through rain and mist. The toughest part of the day is the long and steep ascent to the first saddle: the Frau-Hitt-Jöchl, which you will reach after hiking for 8.9 kilometres.
Once we reached the Seegrube restaurant, soaked to the bone, we decided to take the Hafelekar Cable Car to shave off 300 meters of elevation in an already challenging day. This is already included in the stats, and it was the best investment on our hike through Karwendel.
Overnight stay & lunch possibilities on day 3
The Seegrube restaurant at the top of the Seegrubenbahn gondola is your only option for lunch on day 3. It lies 12.8 kilometres into the trail. It took us 5.5 hours to reach it, and by then we were very hangry. For that reason, my advice is to stock up on snacks before leaving the Solsteinhaus. You might also be shocked by how many people are in the Seegrube restaurant. It can be reached by Nordkette gondola from Innsbruck, one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.
The destination for night 3 on the Karwendel High Trail is the Pfeis hut. We arrived at the hut very late in the afternoon, as most other hikers did. My impression of the hut was that it was very dark and gloomy, and the basement showers left a lot to be desired. Then again, showering on a hut-to-hut hike should be considered a luxury anyway, so I don’t want to sound privileged. The atmosphere and the staff, however, were lovely.
Day 3: Alternative route
I need to warn you that you should only follow the original Karwendel route on day 3 if the weather is favourable. I wish the warden at Solsteinhaus had told us about the alternative route before we set off, but I will mention it here in case the weather forecast is not in your favour. This option is much easier and doesn’t involve any scrambling. From Solsteinhaus, follow trail no. 16 down to Möslalm in the Samertal (valley), then follow the valley and the Gleirsch stream upstream on a wide gravel road until you reach Pfeishut. You can see the stats for this route below.
Day 3: Early exit route
If you want to exit the Karwendel High Trail after spending the night in Solsteinhaus, you have two options:
- Follow trail no. 16/213 from Solsteinhaus to Zirl (8.5 km, 1150 m elevation loss, 3 hours. From here you can catch a train to Innsbruck.
- Retrace your steps back to the Epzirlerscharte (saddle), which you crossed the previous day. From here descend to Eppzirler Alm in the Eppzirl valley on trail no. 212. From here follow the gravel road to the small village of Giessenbach. (Distance: 10.7 km, elevation gain: 310 m, elevation loss: 1080 m, time required: 4.5 hours). Once in Giessenbach, you can catch a train back to Seefeld or Innsbruck.
Karwendel High Trail Day 4: Pfeis Hut to Hallerangerhaus
Distance
8.1 kilometres / 5 miles
Elevation gain/loss
500 m (1640 ft) / 650 m (2130 ft)
Time required
3.5 – 4 hours
The map & elevation profile of day 4
Trail overview
Day 4 was my favourite day on the Karwendel High Trail. This had a lot to do with the great weather we were finally graced with after two days of hiking in the rain. The views were also stunning. Day 4 involves crossing two saddles: Stempeljoch (2 kilometres in) and Lafatscherjoch (5.9 kilometres in). The descent from Stempeljoch is quite steep and requires sure-footedness and good concentration.
At Lafatscherjoch, the trail splits. If you choose to add the extra night in Bettelwurfhut and follow the original Karwendel High Trail over 6 nights and 7 days, rather than going North to Hallerangerhaus, you will head East. The next day, you will return to Lafatscherjoch via the same trail.
Bettelwurf hut was also in our plans, but we had to cancel our night there and reschedule to Hallerangerhaus because the weather forecast predicted quite a bit of snowfall. It was a good call, because the forecast was correct. Because the Bettelwurf hut is a side trip, we didn’t feel like we missed out on much, especially since I had already spent the night there a couple of months earlier.
We met a few shepherds on the descent from Lafatscherjoch to Hallerangergaus. They were herding the cows down to the valley after the animals had spent the summer grazing in high-alpine pastures. This is quite the tradition in Austria, and the shepherds insisted we drink schnaps (an alcoholic beverage) with them.
Overnight stay & lunch possibilities on day 4
There are no other huts between Pfeis hut and Hallerangerhaus, but since it only takes ca. 4 hours to reach the next hut, you can have lunch after you are done with the day, or simply order a packed lunch from Pfeis hut.
Hallerangerhaus is the last hut on this 5-day Karwendel High Trail itinerary, and hands down, it was my favourite. The hut was recently renovated and is very spacious, with upgraded amenities. The dorm my dad and I stayed in didn’t feel overcrowded, and it even had built-in shelves to store our things. Overall 10/10 experience.
Day 4: Early exit route
If you want to finish the Karwendel High Trail on day 4, the quickest way back to civilisation is to retrace your steps to the Nordkette gondola and ride it down to Innsbruck (distance: 5.6 kilometres, elevation gain: 430 m, elevation loss: 120 m, time required: 2.5 hours).
Day 4: Possible extensions
If you would like to tick off a summit (or two) along the hike between the Pfeis hut and Hallerangerhaus, you have two options:
- From the Stempeljoch saddle, you can ascend to the Stempeljochspitze summit (2529 m). It will only add 2 kilometres with 260 meters of elevation to your day. The round trip takes ca. 1.5 hours.
- From the Lafatscherjoch saddle, you can go up to the Speckkarspitze (2621 m). This will add 2.8 kilometres, 460 meters of elevation gain and ca. 2 hours to your day.
Karwendel High Trail Day 5: Hallerangerhaus to Scharnitz
Distance
19.8 kilometres / 12.3 miles
Elevation gain/loss
80 m (260 ft) / 870 m (2850 ft)
Time required
5-6 hours
The map & elevation profile of day 5
Trail breakdown
After hearing pounding rain through most of the night, we woke up to a fresh blanket of snow the next morning. We spent the first hour of day 5 hiking through some snow. Despite being the longest day on the Karwendel High Trail in terms of distance, Day 5 was the easiest. The whole route follows a gravel road through the Hinterautal valley.
7.1 kilometres into the trail, you will come across signs pointing to a short detour, where you can see the Isar River Source, which is a tributary of the Danube River, the second-longest river in Europe. I highly recommend checking it out. It took my dad and me less than 5 hours to reach Scharnitz – the end destination.
Lunch possibilities on day 5
After hiking for 5 kilometres, you will reach Kastenalm, where you can stop for a very early lunch or coffee and a cake to fuel you for the rest of the hike. Apart from that, there are no other huts along the way until you arrive in Scharnitz.
Onward travel
As mentioned before, Scharnitz lies on the S6 train line, which connects Innsbruck, Austria, with Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. It is pretty easy to travel to any other major European destination from here with a train change in Innsbruck.
FAQ about the Karwendel High Trail
All huts on the Karwendel High Trail can be booked via the Alpine Club reservation system. However, before you start making reservations I recommend that you check avaibility first with this new tool from Alpine Club. It will certainly save you time and possible frustrations.
The Karwendel High Trail is a popular traverse and the huts book out well in advance. Don’t put off making your reservations any later than March. Particularly if your tour falls on the weekend. That way you can score better rooms and avoid sleeping in huge dorms.
I had phone reception on days 1-4, with a few short blind spots. On day 5 the reception was mostly non-existent until we were close to Scharnitz. Generally speaking, though, it was pretty good. I still recommend keeping your phone on flight mode to conserve the battery. Make sure to download and activate the SOS ALPS app onto your phone. It’s free to use and can save you important time in case of emergency, as it transfers your exact coordinates to the nearby Mountain Search and Rescue centre.
No, you don’t. There are late-entry/early-exit options each day, which I write about in the post. You can start or finish on any day, which is exactly what we did, when we had to cut our hike short due to forecasted snowfall.
No, apart from hut reservations you don’t need any permits to hike the Karwendel High Trail.
The number one rule is not to overpack. Duvets or blankets, as well as food and water are available in the huts. I have a comprehensive hut-to-hut packing list which should come handy when you are packing for the Karwendel High Trail. If you are going early in the season when snowfields still remain, particularly on the Northern slopes, you might want to add crampons to your packing list. I hiked the trail in September and didn’t need them.
There are short passages secured with steel cables which you have to tackle almost every day. We did the route without via ferrata gear, but if you’re not comfortable on exposed sections and prefer to stay clipped in, bring the via ferrata set. The set will come handy if you decide to add a night in the Bettelwurf hut and summit Bettelwurf the next day. The via ferrata sections are of beginner difficulty with an A/B rating. To know what it means check out my beginner’s via ferrata guide.
Most huts prefer cash payments over cards, but we were able to pay with cards in a couple of huts. My advice is to bring cash in the 80/20 ratio, meaning the 20 percent of your payments can be done with card.
While most alpine streams are ok to drink from and I never had a problem doing so, I did have a terrible experience of getting water poisoning after drinking water from the stream on the Lechtal High Trail. From then on, I am a lot more cautious and stick to filling up my water in the huts, where filters are installed. Each hut has their own system and the staff will generally inform you about it upon check in.
Fantastic write-up, very helpful as we prep, thank you for taking the time to do it!
Your welcome. I am glad it helps. Let me know if you have any questions. Happy hiking.