On these pages I use the original German names whenever possible. This allows you to find the places in maps quickly.
With its 54325ha (134182 acres) the Karwendel is
During the times of the Habsburger emperors the Karwendel was a hunting area, restricted to the emperor. For this reason the Karwendel there were few people except for the stableman at places where the emperor changed horses. The name of the Stallenhutte (cabin at the stables) in the Stallenboden near Schwaz indicates this. In that area also the last bear of Austria was shot. A moment remembered by a statue at Barenrast (Bears rest). Because the area was restricted, no roads were developed and the Karwendel is still an area where asphalt can be found only at the Engalm. Although many mountain cabins can now be reached by car, this is only allowed for supplies and emergencies as the area now is protected as 'Naturschutz gebied' (nature reserve).
The Karwendel in divided into several areas with different degrees of protection. Near cities and the Engalm it is either 'Landes schutz gebiet' (landscape protection, allows farming) or 'ruhe gebiet' (quiet area, no machines/noise allowed)). Deeper in the Karwendel you will find the definition 'Naturschuts gebiet' (nature reserve). This means everywhere that camping is forbidden, as is picking of flowers. For the picking of flowers, even a jail penalty can be given in extreme cases, e.g. if you come down with a bunch of edelweiss! You are not allowed to disturb animals, to raft in the rivers, make loud noise (radio) and of course you must not leave any waste behind (What you can bring up full, you can take down empty is the alpine motto!). The Vomperloch and Zwergloch now have the status of total-protection. This means even forestry is not allowed. Only the trail is made free of obstacles. Damage from an heavy storm some years ago is still present in the Vomperloch. The bridge over the river was washed away (although it is still shown on the maps!!) and never repaired (was it in 1997? who used it?), so people coming from or going to the Hinterhornalm have to use the more tiring 'Knappensteig'. Because of its protection, the Karwendel is extremely beautiful. However, the higher trails are often difficult, and always very tiring, so you should always be careful. In 1994 the Karwendel became 'Alpen park', which ment more protection for the area.
For a historic reasons (once obtained rights can not be taken away easy), still forestry activities take place in the Karwendel. In summer you may hear the annoying sound of a chainsaw. Furthermore you will find Alms (farms), that play an important role in maintaining the mountains with cows and sheep grazing on the meadows, thus making terraces which cause the water to sink in the soil instead of rushing down the hill causing erosion. However at this moment there is also discussion about that as there are more and more cows on the same slope, which gives the soil no time to recover. The reason for this is that it is difficult for farmers to compete with modern bio-factories and more cows mean more money. However there is also a tendency that these farmers turn to the more profitable and suistainable biological farming. Also promoting their products as regional product (you should really try the locally produced meat and specially cheeses, which are a taste sensation) brings more money.
In the 90’s
There is a wide variety of commercial and 'Alpen verein' (=Alpine Club) cabins/huts in the Karwendel. For 5-7euro you are supplied with a mattress and blankets (you should bring your own sheets or you can buy one in the cabins) if you are is member of the Alpen verein. For people who are not members, commercial cabins are in some cases cheaper, but from the money you pay in an 'Alpen vereins' cabin, the trails are kept in order and nature is protected. Many of the cabins have solar panels and installations to break down human waste into drinkable water and moist. So it is not only the sleeping place you pay for! One more reason to use 'Alpen verein' cabins is that they have a strict time schedule. After 10 o'clock all lights go out and one has to go to bed. This allows people to prepare for or rest from long, exhausting trails or climbs. In the commercial huts around the Engalm one often finds young people with radios and in the Hallerangeralm, and near the Hallerangerhaus parties can go on until the early morning. It is not unknown for people from the alm to flee to the Hallerangerhaus during the evening! None of these things will happen to you in the 'Alpen vereins' cabins. Nevertheless several commercial cabins are of same quality as the 'Alpen vereins' and may even have the same rules.
Many trails are also passable for mountain bikes, certainly in the lower valleys. For hikers mountain bikes may be risky as some of them tend to descend very quickly. However mostly the lower parts of the Karwendel are shared between them. On the higher trails biking is risky as the slopes are very steep and the trails narrow. Most cabins can be reached by mountain bike. The Karwendelhaus and Hallerangerhaus are often visited by mountain bikers. However they rarely sleep in the cabin as they return the same day to Scharnitz or Hinterriss. In other cabins bikers are less common due to the more difficult trails.
The water from streams in the Karwendel is, except in the Pfeis(hutte)
and at Nordlingerhutte, always fresh and drinkable. However as the Karwendel
belongs to the limestone alps, water becomes scarce in
the summer as it quickly sinks into the soil. For longer tours you should
always be sure that a stream is present or carry enough water (1-2 liters). The
cabins provide you with excellent meals, at acceptable prices ranging from
6-12euro. Members of the 'alpen verein' even can buy a special nutritious meal
called 'bergsteiger
The highest peak of the Karwendel is the 2749 meter high Birkarspitze. There are many other peaks reaching over 2500 meters which can be reached without much climbing. A 'klettersteig' is the most difficult ascend (I-III according AV standards). However on the north side of the ranges the ascents are often almost vertical and only climbers can reach the peaks from this side. The Laliderer wall, a 900 meter high vertical cliff, is famous. Climbing in the Karwendel is risky as the limestone breaks easily. Many experienced climbers fail in the Karwendel even though the peaks are not very high. Each year people are killed when climbing in the karwendel.
Alpen vereins karten 5/1, 5/2 and 5/3 1:25.000 , Karwendelgebirge west, mitte, ost. More than excellent maps, but the ost (east) section is not completely up to date (see hints). Somewhat expensive however: 120oS (18DM) each.
Alpen vereins karte 1:50.000 31/5 Innsbruck und Umgebung. Good for the easier (lower) trails, but not only for the Karwendel.
Freytag and Bernt 323, 1:50.000 Karwendelgebirge, gives a good overview of the whole area. Do not use it for high tours however as it gives a very poor indication on steepness of the trails.
"Karwendel gebietsfuhrer" from Bergverlag (publisher) Rudolf Rother/Munchen. Two variants exist. One compact one for the hikers (Gebiets fuhrer), and a complete guide which also contains climbing routes (AV fuhrer). Both contain a reasonable 1:50.000 map. Perfect but: in German!