Mittenwalder Höhenweg: Challenging climbing experience in the Karwendel

The Mittenwalder Höhenweg rewards experienced, sure-footed and above all vertigo-free hikers with a sensational view of the rugged rock formations of the Karwendel mountains. Before tackling the via ferrata adventure, ask at the Mittenwald tourist information centre whether the current weather conditions permit a tour of the Mittenwalder Höhenweg. Very important: If you don't have your own equipment, reserve a via ferrata set: Stefan Adam and his team at the Alpenwelt Karwendel mountain school are just a ten-minute walk from Mittenwald railway station and will be happy to help you. With the Regio-Ticket Werdenfels/ + Innsbruck, you and your friends will have a congestion-free and inexpensive journey.

A tightrope act on two-thousand metre peaks

Your via ferrata experience starts at Mittenwald railway station. From here, it is only a 15-minute walk to the valley station of the Karwendel cable car: walk across the station square and keep to the right. From there, turn right onto Dammkarstraße. After a few metres, turn right onto Mühlenweg and follow it to Weidenweg. Turn left there and cross the Isar. Then go straight ahead onto Arzgrubenweg and continue to the valley station of the mountain railway, which takes you to the mountain station at just under 2,200 metres. Once at the top, a well-signposted panoramic trail leads to the start of the Mittenwald via ferrata. Pure thrills: the route, secured with wire ropes, runs partly on the ridge, along narrow wooden planks, iron clamps and ladders over a whole series of two-thousand metre peaks: northern (2,374 metres), middle (2,239 metres) and southern Linderspitze (2,306 metres), Sulzleklammspitze (2,323 metres) and Kirchlspitze (2,302 metres). Plan between six and eight hours for the almost 12-kilometre route and don't underestimate the 530 metres of ascent and 1860 metres of descent.

Magnificent views in all directions

The Mittenwalder Höhenweg is considered the ideal route for experienced via ferrata beginners and the most scenic Alpine tour: from the middle Linderspitze, the panoramic view extends to the Stubai Alps in the south and to the Herzogstand in the north. The imposing Wetterstein mountain range towers to the west, while the Karwendel valley can be admired to the east. To the south, Scharnitz and Seefelder Joch stand out most prominently. As the tour runs mainly along a ridge, it is also worth taking a look down into the depths.

A farewell visit to donkey star Frederico

Shortly after the Kirchlspitze, the descent to Mittenwald begins. Between meadows and mountain pine fields, the route descends in serpentines. Scree and rocky passages require a high degree of concentration and surefootedness. Make sure you stop off at the Brunnsteinhütte on your way back. There, the hut hosts Barbara and Hans-Peter Gallenberger will spoil you with homemade cakes and refreshing buttermilk. If you're lucky, you'll get to see Frederico up close: the dwarf donkey is the secret star of the hut's own petting zoo. Now it's almost done. The two-hour descent takes you via the Brunnsteinhütte to Mittenwald and the valley station of the Karwendel cable car. From there you walk back to the starting point - Mittenwald railway station. After your courageous via ferrata adventure, enjoy the comfortable train journey home.