Hints and Tips

Here are some hints and tips for going through the Karwendel

-From Lamsjochhutte, go to the klettersteig (easy climb but requiring hands) and Lamsentunnel to get to the Lamsenspitze or Zwergloch. This klettersteig has been moade more difficult so only use it if you are capable.

-When going from Karwendelhaus to the Falkenhutte, take the higher forest trail, rather than the marked road to the kl. Ahornboden. This leads through a forest and gives great view over the kl. Ahornboden.

-When you do not want to carry too much food, plan the Engalm halfway the tour. Here you can buy (tourist) food. It is somewhat expensive however, and tourists will stare at you as if you were an alien.

-If you are fit and capable, the (10-12hrs) tour from Lamsenjochhutte to Hallerangerhaus is the most beautiful tour of the Karwendel as this area is totally protected. Take long rests at the bridge at the bottom of the Zwergloch (you should get there about noon), at the magnificent Odkarbach waterfall (SWIM!) halfway the Vomperloch, and before the ascent to the Uberschal joch. Although it seems flat, once you have crossed the river in the Vomperloch the trail slowly ascends. This is very tiring and a mood breaker. Walking the trail in reverse is not advisable as the tour will then ends in a tiring 1200mtr climb and a 270mtr decent after you have already walked for 6 hours.

With rainy weather, the vomperloch is best avoided as the slopes are very steep and the ground may be slippery do to dead leaves etc.

-The bridge crossing the river of the Vomperloch is destroyed but it is still shown on the maps. So don't plan a tour over it! NOTE: in 1997 the road 'blocks' were removed so the path may be useable again. Can anyone tell me?

-Also in the Vomperloch the descent west of the Odkarbach, shown on the maps, is now no longer available. The trail leads into the forest and suddenly goes 100mtrs up (easy zig-zag) but the start of the ascent is very difficult to find in the spring as the ground and some trail marks may be covered with leaves.

-When going up from Hall in Tirol (or Absam) via the Hall-tal, it is best the take the small path through the Iß-tal. It is very beautiful. You find it near the turn to st Magdalena when comming from Hall, go left at the lowest point when comming from the Lafatscher-joch.

-Stay in Hallerangerhaus when the weather is good as you will be rewarded with a magnificent sun set.

-Avoid the Brendelsteig near the Karwendelhaus when it is raining. This is slippery and dangerous when wet.

-When it is very hot, do not use the ascent to the Betelwurfhutte from Hall in Tirol. This is very steep, sheltered from any breeze, and in the full sun without any shadow. Here you can be literally cooked! In these conditions, the Bettelwurfhutte is better be reached via the Lafatscherjoch.

-The same is valid for the ascent to the brunnstein spitze from Scharnitz.

-When you are at Hallerangerhaus, take time to do the easy climb to the Speckarspitze: it gives a magnificent view into to the Inntal. Also the climb to the Suntigerspitze is very rewarding

-When you are at the neue Magdenburgerhutte order the Lebernudelsuppe: this is reason enough to visit this cabin.

-Be careful which flowers you pick. The picking of flowers may lead to a fine or even jail if you are caught! The Karwendel is a nature reserve area. This means plants and animals come first. In the cabins posters inform you about the protected species.

-Always ask the cabin keeper about the planned trail, he can most likely tell you what it is like. Do this certainly when the weather conditions are not optimal or have been bad!

-From the Tolzer hutte you can make a very beautifull high tour to the plumsjoch hutte. It’s pretty long however: 7-9hrs.