Bike & Hike Birkkarspitze Summit, 2,749 m

Scharnitz /
Difficulty ratings: difficult
Route length: 41 km
Duration: 9:00 h

Difficult bike and hike tour to the highest peak in the Karwendel Nature Park.

Tour information

  • Requirement: difficult
  • Length: 41 km
  • Duration: 9:00 h
  • Elevation uphill:1800 hm
  • Elevation downhill:1800 hm
Highest point 2,749 m

Starting point

Scharnitz parking Länd (P2)

Finishing point

Scharnitz parking Länd (P2)

Best time of year

  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

Trail condition

Bike: Asphalt, gravel / Hike: gravel, scree, narrow mountain paths

You can find all the latest information on the road closures in the Seefeld region here.

Have you discovered a spot that we should rework or repair? Fill in the 'Report hazard' form and let us know where work is needed in the region.

Equipment

Off-road bike (mountain bike, gravel bike, trekking bike, etc.), helmet, gloves

Suitable equipment is also available in the bike stores in the region.

For the hike: Sturdy hiking shoes, functional clothing, a backpack, water, snacks, alpine experience, and sure-footedness are necessary for this tour! Also recommended: a hiking map or GPS, a first aid kit, sun protection, hiking poles, and an emergency blanket.

Description

Climbing the highest peak in the Karwendel Mountains is a challenge that is best accomplished as a scenic bike & hike tour. Surefootedness, head for heights and experience in high alpine terrain as well as short climbing passages are absolutely necessary!
The tour starts directly at the Karwendel parking lot (P2 Länd) at the Scharnitz Nature Park Information Center. Here you saddle up your (e-)bike, cycle eastwards on the Hinterautalstraße, orient yourself to the left after the Isar bridge on the impressive Bike Trail Tirol and follow the yellow signs through the picturesque Karwendel valley to the historic Karwendelhaus at 1,765 meters above sea level.
Since 1908, the refuge has offered a popular base station for Karwendel crossings, summit tours and climbing excursions. During the warm summer months, you can also spend the night at the historic hut - but you are definitely asked to make a reservation in advance. If you reach the Karwendelhaus and bring a suitable charger, you can charge your e-bike battery here and even carry out minor repairs. Once the bike is safely stowed away, a rustic refreshment is recommended in the more than one hundred year old restaurant or on the panoramic sun terrace before tackling the approximately three-hour ascent of the Birkkarspitze.
The ascent to the summit winds in steep switchbacks through the Schlauchkar and over a coarse gravel scree path to the highest point at the Schlauchkar saddle (2,639m). Be careful on the ascent, because on the parts below the saddle there is often old snow even in summer! From the small Birkkar hut (emergency bivouac shelter) a wire-rope secured path finally leads to the spectacular summit of the Birkkarspitze at 2,749 meters above sea level.

Details for one direction:

  • Bike route no. 595: approx. 18 km, 850 hm uphill, 03:00 h, difficulty: medium
  • Hike route: about 2,5 km, 950 hm uphill, 03:00 h, difficulty: difficult

Getting here

  • Arrival by public transport

    By train to Scharnitz train station, then approx. 3 minutes by bike to the starting point at the Nature Park Information Center.

    All real-time connections can be found in the route planner.

    You can find all information about bicycle transportation on the bus here.

    Guest Card = Travel Card: The guest card is valid during your stay as a ticket for all public bus connections in the region (up to Telfs and Mittenwald). In addition, the train ride between Seefeld and Scharnitz and the Wildmoosbus are also included. However, a separate ticket must be purchased at the ticket counter for bicycle transportation on the train.

  • Parking

    Parking P2 “Karwendelparkplatz Länd” - Scharnitz.

    Cyclists can also use the following parking lots: P1 (Riedboden) coming from Munich and P4 (Mühlberg) coming from Innsbruck.
    From these parking lots you can reach the starting point at the Scharnitz Nature Park Information Center by bike in about 5 minutes.

    You can find all other car parks in Scharnitz here.

  • Contact

    Bike & Hike Birkkarspitze, 2.749 m
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Wetter

More tours in the surrounding area

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