With an elevation gain of only 200 meters, this snowshoe in Scharnitz is rated intermediate. However, it’s a long journey at about 5 kilometers. What makes this route special is Karwendel Gorge in Isartal Valley: After crossing the creek, you will snowshoe above the gorge within earshot of the pleasant sounds of the gurgling waterway—and within sight of spectacular icicle formations.
Snowshoe
Starting point
Scharnitz Tourist Information Office
Hike to
Birzelkapelle Chapel
Finishing point
Scharnitz Tourist Information Office
Mountain chain
Karwendel Mountains
Length
5 km
Total hiking time
2h
Features
- Circular hike
Difficulty rating
medium
Altitude
Elevation uphill 215m
Vertical metres downhill 215m
Trail description
Start at the Tourist Information Office trailhead at the village center of Scharnitz and follow Innrainstraße Road until reaching the Isarbrücke Bridge. Turn left before the bridge and begin a short upward climb that takes you past Gästehaus Helga until you reach the fork where the trail to Birzelkapelle Chapel branches off. At the junction the terrain levels out, the grade is gentle and it’s a relaxed stroll to Birzelkapelle Chapel.
The loop continues past the chapel toward the forest road of of Karwendeltal Valley. There, take the fork to Larchetalm until you get to the place where Karwendelsteg Trail veers to the right. Follow this trail to get to the Pleisenhütte forest road and turn right toward Wiesenhof Inn. Passing the inn, the road brings you back to Scharnitz.