Rotwandlspitze, 2193 m

Tour description

We meet up at the main Munich train station (Münchner Hauptbahnhof) and travel by train to Scharnitz, on the German-Austrian border. From here we start our hike with an easy climb through sparse woodland in the direction of the Karwendel valleys, Karwendeltäler. Gradually it becomes steeper and more rocky and eventually we have to climb using our hands and clamber up. After two or so hours, with the steepest part behind us, we recover at our first resting point.

Having come out of the forest we hike through mountain pines and if we're lucky, enjoy the sunshine. After approx one hour on a gentle path through mountain pastures, we reach the Tiroler Hütte. From here it's a stone throw to the Rotwandlspitze (2.193m).

The small and basic Tiroler Hütte (2.154 m) is welcoming and it is tempting to linger here. Although the food and drinks are simple, we can feast our eyes on the fantastic view of the colossal massif of the Karwendel mountains, Karwendelmassiv.

After a decent rest, we start our descent. We go a short way across fields, before the route becomes steep and zigzags through rocky terrain (safety ropes!). Soon it is not so steep and we can enjoy the views in the afternoon sun, reaching the Brunnsteinhütte (1.560 m) after an hour or so.

We enjoy coffee or tea and home-made cakes on the sunny terrace.

At the Brunnsteinhütte our last stage of the hike called the "ladder way" starts. There is good reason for the name since we have to cross a deep gulley about halfway down. In order to do this , we climb down a long metal ladder into the gulley and climb up the other side again using a ladder (a good head for heights is necessary). After this "dizzy" adventure, our route continues through a wooded area, without any real loss of altitude. A short and final descent takes us to Mittelwald and from here we take the train back to Munich.