Eagle Walk Stage 11: Karwendelhaus Lodge - Hallerangerhaus

On this stage you will find yourself in a world almost as far removed as you can get from the forested valleys below. It's steep, brushy, challenging and technical. It’s also long at about 14 kilometres, and more than mere time is required for this trek; you'll also need excellent fitness. The trail climbs steeply from the Karwendelhaus lodge to the high ridgeline. Once aloft on those airy plains, you'll be in a true alpine environment. The scramble route starts at Schlauchkar cirque. Here, the trail becomes increasingly rock-laden, slowing your pace as you clamber up and around talus and scree slopes and you'll have to cross a snowfield. Beyond the Birkkarhütte (emergency refuge), the final push to the summit of Birkkarspitze is an exposed scramble that contours along the western ridge of the mountain, assisted by a fixed anchoring system of cables. A steep descent takes you into the lovely Hinterautal Valley, where you can catch your breath while ambling along a gently graded forest road. Parallel to the cascading Lafatscherbach stream, the trail heads to Lafatscher Niederleger with its quaint hut. Soon after, it branches off towards the Hallerangerhaus, the destination end of the most challenging Eagle Walk stage in the Karwendel Mountains.

Interesting Facts

Eagle View ·Tucked into the forests, a beautiful gorge has been carved out by the Lafatscherbach stream. A white-ribboned waterfall streams down a cliff next to the hunting lodge below the Lafatscher mountain. Don’t miss out on the “landmark” of Halleranger alpine pasture: a tiny chapel set against the backdrop of majestic mountains which allude to even higher destinations. This is also the area where the Isar river has its source.

Eagle Kick ·On this walk you can propel yourself back to an age when it took time to reach coveted summits and high ridges, just like “peak bagger” Hermann von Barth. The craggy Birkkarspitze mountain is the most prominent peak in the Karwendel Mountains and towers over it at the maximum elevation of 2,749 metres. The way is steep, rugged and entails a whole lot of vertical rise, assisted by a fixed anchoring system of cables in places. Do not summit it if you are prone to vertigo or are the least bit uncomfortable.

Tip! There is a Black Diamond Service Station at the Karwendelhaus, where hikers who have broken a walking pole or lost a glove can get a free replacement.

Interesting Facts Eagle View ·Tucked into the forests, a beautiful gorge has been carved out by the Lafatscherbach stream. A white-ribboned…

Trail description

Starting point: Karwendelhaus

The way-marked path to the Birkkarspitze mountain starts right next to the Karwendelhaus. This trail starts off very steep and you make your way around and up the cliffs assisted by a fixed anchoring system of cables. The rugged terrain leads through dwarf pines and avalanche barriers. The next stage of the trail is not as steep as the previous. It leads to the southeast towards the Schlauchkar cirque that seems to be never-ending. You will pass a trail that branches off towards Hochalmkreuz cross (to the left) and another fork that leads to the Brendelsteig path (to the right). Do not change directions here and continue the path uphill through the cirque. This is a demanding trail that takes you through rough, rugged terrain dotted by rock cairns. The path continues upward at a steep gradient with the last section towards Schlauchkarsattel leading to the southwest. At this stage you usually have to cross a (often very hard) snowfield. The best thing to do is to follow the footsteps. From Schlauchkarsattel (elev. 2,639 m), walk past the Birkkarhütte (emergency refuge) and climb along the western ridge on a demanding trail that is assisted by a fixed anchoring system of cables. You will then reach the summit of 2,749-metre Birkkarspitze with its cross. From the top, retrace your steps to Schlauchkarsattel and continue downhill on the southern side of the mountain. This steep descent towards the Western Birkkar cirque has fixed cables as well. There is a well-maintained – sometimes very steep – path leading through the cirque that takes you through talus. Walk down to the Birkkarbach stream and follow the left bank of the creek downstream, straight ahead into the Hinterautal Valley until you reach the forest road. Walking along the valley floor, follow signage to “Kastenalm” and/or “Hallerangerhaus”. You will pass the Kastenalm hut and Kasten hunting lodge to your right.

Food & drink: Kastenalm, Hallerangeralm

This section is followed by a steep ascent through thinning forest overlooking the Lafatscherbach stream. You will then reach a high valley which is an even path leading gently uphill parallel to the Lafatscherbach stream. Having passed the hunting lodge, the trail will become steeper, leading through the alpine meadows of Lafatscher-Niederleger and past the rustic alpine pasture hut. Walk along the meadows and take the right fork towards “Hallerangerhaus” (left: Hallerangeralm – either is within a walking distance of 10 minutes). After this last climb you have reached the destination end of this walk, Hallerangerhaus, at an elevation of 1,768 metres. It is a popular base for mountaineers amid the rugged mountains of the Karwendel Alpine Park.

Finishing point: Hallerangerhaus