> Hike the best of Austria’s Karwendel Mountains
> Stay overnight in historic alpine huts
> We book your accommodation from start to finish
Wake up to a golden sunrise over limestone peaks, sip your first coffee as the valley still sleeps, and get ready to hike one of the most impressive corners of the Austrian Alps. The Karwendel massif, a rugged wilderness just a stone’s throw from Innsbruck, is home to high trails, hanging valleys and silent forests that stretch for days. This three-day trek connects two iconic huts: Karwendelhaus and Hallerangerhaus. You’ll hike across alpine meadows, crest scenic passes, and descend towards the medieval town of Hall in Tirol—where your journey ends with a well-earned Apfelstrudel.
This trip is perfect for hikers who want a short but rewarding adventure. Each day offers varied terrain and crisp alpine air. Expect up to 16.4 kilometers on the longest day, with moderate elevation gain and no technical challenges. You’ll carry a light pack and sleep in cozy mountain huts, while we sort the rest. Start in Scharnitz and finish in Hall in Tirol. Three days of pure Karwendel magic.
From the moment you step out of Karwendelhaus, the mountains waste no time. The trail wastes none either. It tilts upward right away—no dramatic switchbacks, just a steady grind as you gain altitude fast. For the next 3 kilometers, it's all about the climb. The air thins, the chatter fades, and before you know it, you’re looking south from the rim of the Schlauchkar. This isn’t just a viewpoint—it’s a front-row seat to the drama of the Karwendel range, crags and ridges stretching to the horizon.
But what goes up must go down, and the descent from here is no walk in the park. You start dropping, steep and sharp, with a rope-secured section that demands your attention. Birkkarspitze looms above, austere and silent. Then the trail releases its grip and you tumble into something entirely different—a world of trickling streams, alpine flowers, and soft turf. The Isar springs bubble to life at your feet, marking the lowest point of the day and maybe the prettiest. A perfect place to breathe, refill, and reset.
From the valley floor, the mood shifts again. The path climbs, but now it’s mellow. A slow-motion ascent through pine-scented trails, past a quiet waterfall and the weathered huts of Lafatscher Niederleger. The peaks stay close, but they’re less severe now—more welcoming. After about 7 gentle kilometers, the Hallerangerhaus comes into view, tucked in a green amphitheater beneath towering walls. Time to ditch the pack, soak in the evening sun, and let the silence settle around you. You’ve earned it.
Leaving Hallerangerhaus, the trail eases you in with broad views and the crunch of gravel underfoot. About four kilometers in, you’ll stumble across a quirky sight—a big bacon cart set against the backdrop of jagged Karwendel peaks. It’s more than just a photo stop. From here, you’re surrounded by a rugged alpine amphitheater alive with hardy mountain flora. Take a moment. The silence here hums with wind, and if you’re lucky, birds or marmots might break it.
A couple of kilometers later, the Bettelwurf Hütte comes into view, perched just before the trail starts to descend. It’s the perfect rest stop—grab a drink, kick back, and trade trail stories with fellow hikers. Then the trail tilts downward, weaving through pine-scented air and mossy shade. You’re heading into softer terrain now, but not without one more surprise: the Trinkwasserstollen Halltal. Carved 950 meters into the mountain, this tunnel delivers some of the purest, coldest drinking water around—untouched, ice-cold, and crystal clear.
The final stretch leads you gently into Hall in Tirol, where the wild gives way to cobbled lanes and weathered buildings. It’s a fitting end—one foot in nature, one in history. After the raw edges of Karwendel, Hall wraps the journey in a quiet, old-world exhale.
