Östliche Karwendelspitze

Published on 2024-11-02 by Michael Stanton

I'd been thinking about hiking up something in the Karwendel for a while, maybe Wörner or the Östliche Karwendelspitze. I'd never hiked up the latter before, and I wanted to enjoy the scenic long valley from Scharnitz to the Karwendelhaus. The last time I had been in there was on the long walk with Uli from Lenggries to Scharnitz, and I was too exhausted at the end to properly enjoy it! I decided to ride my mountain bike to the meadow below the Karwendelhaus, then hike from there.

Karwendel peaks in the morning light

This worked out well. The morning was frosty, but the scenery was gorgeous. It's no wonder this is a national park. I remembered the turn-off to hike up Wörner from the south side one day, but continued on, finally pushing the bike for a bit in the upper switchbacks to the meadow.

Looking east from slopes of the mountain

Looking west to the Vogelkarspitze

The Birkkarspitze

I hiked up easily in the sun, choosing to do the climb from the west side because I prefered grassy slopes. I caught some gämse napping on a sunny terrace. The way is pretty steep and scruffy in the upper part, but I emerged on a false summit with no difficulties. Here I met a man and woman who came up from the east side. Then I walked the ridgeline over to the true summit and chatted with another couple of folks. Very crisp, clear air and the peaks were very defined and inviting.

Folks on the false summit

Looking down the Grabenkar, probably the normal route for my peak

East to the Risser Falk and Steinfalk

A pano-rama on the summit

I went down the same way to maximize the sun exposure. Shadows had crept into the valley when I reached my bike and I set off to the sound of party-goers singing in the Karwendelhaus above (maybe there is a winter-room?). My bike is rather too small for me, so it was a bit awkward going down the steep roads. I had to hang back behind the seat or I felt like I'd tip over the front!

I chased the setting sun down the valley, it remained always one bend ahead of me. 1900 meters up and down.

Back down in the valley, seeking the sun

Goodnight, moon