As the Karwendel area is protected, this means that there is no skiing on
the slopes, so the distinct damage of ski slopes is missing in this area. On
the south hills near the Inntal, skiing is however allowed and intensively on
the Haflekar/Seegrube and near Seefeld. Although
In late spring (beginning of June) the mountain cabins open but the weather is very unstable. There is often still much snow and new snow can still fall on the higher trails, making some of them difficult, dangerous or even impossible to go on. However this period is often very quiet and it gives a good chance of seeing young deer when the evening falls, a magnificent sight. Also the first flowers on the lower grounds bloom, such as the black columbine (dunkele Akelei), dancing on its thin green stem, that can be found in the 'Vomperloch'. For people who seek peace and rest this is the time to go. Some days you may not encounter people at all and sleep with only seven other people in a cabin, that can accommodate almost 200 visitors. As this is the period in which the huts are made ready for summer by the keepers, not all facilities in a hut may be working. If you arrive on one of these early days the huts are open, although the electricity may not be working yet. Even when the weather is not that good, in this period the Karwendel is extremely beautiful. When going through the forest above the kl. Ahornboden you can see the clouds sweep through the valley, sometimes broken by a beam of light from the sun. A superb sight. Also the new green colors of trees and many flowers in the meadows are a joy to see.
If you want to go in June, always check to see if the cabins are open. Most of them open around Pentecost/Whit Sunday but if the conditions are bad it may be later.
In summer the Karwendel is visited by many foreigners, often Germans. The
Karwendel is a popular destination for people from Munich as it is nearby,
easily reached by car and train and because the Karwendel is, near the
Hallerangerhaus, the source of the Isar, Munichs largest river. Now less
flowers are blooming as in spring. But on the Mahnkopf, near the Falkenhutte,
Edelweiss can be found if you are lucky. The Mahnkopf is however heavily
visited by day tourists from the Engalm. As it is easily reachable, the path is
deeply eroded.
During summer there is a big chance that cabins are full, and certainly the
more popular mountain peaks often have to be shared. 20-40 visitors on the
Birkarspitze during a day is quite common. When going via the higher trails it
can still be quiet though. In summer the weather mostly is fine but hot. In the
late afternoon a thunderstorm is very likely, so one should be in the cabins by
this time (before 16.00). From the cabin a thunderstorm flying over the peaks
is a magnificent view, but one should not be caught in a thunderstorm while
crossing a joch/pass or being on a peak.
Many people believe this is the best and most beautiful period to go. In Autumn the weather is often very stable and not very hot. As the leaves turn yellow, red and brown they give the Karwendel a special beauty. Unfortunately(?) September is also the period when the Karwendel is flooded by people, certainly in the weekends, as the weather is often mild and stable. Sometimes the cabins are so crowded, people sleep everywhere. Just before the cabins close again in the middle of October, visiting the Karwendel may be worth while as then the peace returns. Note however that some cabins may close early so it is best the ask before going.