From hut to hut – Austria’s Karwendel crossing

The Karwendel Nature Park is one of the most impressive regions in the Eastern Alps. The contrast between lush green valleys and rugged rock faces is breathtaking.

Other well-known highlights will make your nature-loving heart soar. The gloriously located Karwendelhaus refuge and the wide grassy plain of the Ahornboden are just two of them. And what better way to experience all this than on a hut-to-hut trek lasting several days? In this Collection, I’ve put together a crossing of the Karwendel from Scharnitz in the west to Stans in the east. It combines many of the scenic highlights of the region with overnight stays in three beautiful mountain huts.

You might be wondering why you should choose this particular route if you want to hike in the Karwendel? It's simple: on these Tours you cross the nature park from west to east and visit many special places. It’s planned in such a way that you have enough time to soak up the magic at your leisure. And let’s not forget the numerous delicacies at the huts, which should not be missed.

From the start in Scharnitz, the trail climbs steadily to the Karwendelhaus refuge, where you spend the first night. The second stage is a little more relaxed. After just under 9 kilometres (6 mi), you arrive at the newly renovated Falkenhütte. If you’re in the mood for relaxation, you can enjoy the view of the Lalider walls from the sunny terrace in the afternoon.

If you’re an ambitious mountain enthusiast with a good level of fitness, you can also start the third stage straight after a short lunch break. This leads you down into the Eng and then up to the western and eastern Lamsenjoch. Here, you can enjoy the staggering view of the Falzthurntal valley before reaching the day's destination, the Lamsenjochhütte. The final stage leads you almost exclusively downhill into the Inntal. After a short detour to the St Georgenberg monastery, you arrive in Stans.

A total of 52 kilometres (32 mi) and 2,200 metres (7,200 ft) of ascent await you on this Karwendel crossing. Even though most of the route leads along easy hiking trails, you need to be sure-footed. Experience of alpine trekking is also beneficial. Furthermore, adequate equipment and clothing are just as important as sufficient water and food for the journey.

As demand is particularly high at weekends and during holidays, you should book accommodation in the huts as early as possible. All of them are easy to book online. The huts are usually open from mid-June to September or October – depending on the weather and snow conditions. You can easily reach the start point in Scharnitz by train, which you can also use at the end of the hike. You can find more information in the Tour descriptions.

So what are you waiting for? Book your accommodation, pack your rucksack and head for the Karwendel.