Karwendel Attractions
The Karwendel range, part of the Calcereous Alps of Tirol and Bavaria, lies between the Seefeld saddle, the Isar valley, the Achensee and the Inn valley. Once noted for its abundant wildlife and now a nature reserve, it is a region of massive rock walls and high corries. The highest peak is the Birkkarspitze (2,749m/9,019ft), the only permanent settlement the hamlet of Hinterriss, accessible only from Bavaria to the north. The Karwendel is made up of four parallel and much indented mountain chains with deeply slashed longitudinal and transverse valleys. Many of the peaks can be climbed fairly easily on good paths, but some have stretches graded as difficult and very difficult.
Birkkarspitze and Lamsenspitze
In the Karwendel's third chain, the Hinter Karwendelkette, tower the regularly shaped pyramid of the Birkkarspitze (2,749m/9,019ft), above the Karwendelhaus (1,790m/5,873ft), and the magnificent Lamsenspitze (2,501m/8,206ft), which - in spite of its imposing appearance - is easy to climb
Bettelwurfkette
In the second chain of the Karwendel to the north, the Bettelwurfkette or Gleirschkette, the most notable peak is the mighty Grosse Bettelwurfspitze (2,725m/8,941ft), one of the finest viewpoints in the Tirol.
Grosser Ahornboden
From Hinterriss a toll road leads up to the Grosser Ahornboden (1,216m/3,990ft), a region with some very old maple trees and an area of Alpine meadows which attracts many visitors (mountain hut).
River Isar Source
To the east of Seefeld a five hours' walk through the Hinterau valley leads to the Hallerangerhaus (1,768m/5,801ft; inn), near which is the source of the River Isar. From there the Speckkarspitze (2,621m/8,600ft) can be climbed in three hours, the Grosse Bettelwurfspitze in five.
Solsteinkette
The most southerly of the Karwendel's four chains, the Solsteinkette, rises directly above the Inn valley overlooking Innsbruck. Every visitor to Innsbruck is familiar with the famous view from Maria-Theresien-Strasse of the snow-capped mountains of the "Nordkette" (North Chain) which gives the city its characteristic backdrop. The Innsbruck Nordkettenbahn (cableway) runs up by way of the Seegrube intermediate station (1,905m/6,252ft) to the summit of Hafelekar (2,334m/7,658ft; wide views). The highest and most southerly peak in the chain is the Solstein (2,633m/8,639ft), with the legendary Martinswand falling away vertically down to the Inn valley.
Sonnenwendgebirge
To the east of the Achensee rears the Sonnenwendgebirge (Rofan group), which reaches its highest point in Hochiss (2,299m/7,543ft). On the eastern slopes of the meadow covered Rofanspitze (2,260m/7,415ft) lies the lonely little Zireiner See.
Vordere Karwendelkette, Östliche Karwendelspitze and Westliche Karwendelspitze
The principal peaks in the Karwendel's northernmost chain, the Vordere Karwendelkette, are the Östliche Karwendelspitze (2,539m/8,330ft) and the Westliche Karwendelspitze (2,385m/7,825ft), which present no difficulties to experienced climbers. From Mittenwald in Bavaria there is a cabin cableway up to the Westliche Karwendelspitze.
Wildsee and Möserer See
The lakes in the Karwendel include the little Wildsee, in a beautiful open setting at Seefeld on the Mittelwaldbahn cableway. A short distance away lies the tiny Möserer See. The Achensee, below the eastern end of the Karwendel range, is Tirol's largest and most beautiful lake, attracting many visitors to the well-known summer resorts - such as Pertisau and Maurach- Eben - set around its turquoise-blue waters.
