Mountain Hike
Karwendel Gorge, Scharnitz

The Karwendel Nature Park was created in 1928, making is one of the oldest protected areas in the Eastern Alps. It measures around 730 square kilometres and is full of blooming meadows, pine forests, rushing rivers and craggy mountains. One of its most beautiful features is the Karwendel Gorge to the east of Scharnitz. This easy circular walk leads through thick forests, along the banks of the rushing Isar river and the Karwendelbach stream into the Karwendel Gorge. A fascinating place to experience the natural power of water.

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Starting point

Länd car park, tourist information office in Scharnitz

Hike to

Karwendel Gorge

Finishing point

Länd car park, tourist information office in Scharnitz

Mountain chain

Karwendel Mountains

Length

9.1 km

Total hiking time

3h

Features

Wheelchair-accessible Hiking Route
Circular hike

Difficulty rating

intermediate (red mountain trails)

Altitude

1,135m 964m

Elevation uphill 216m
Vertical metres downhill 216m

Fitness level

Technique

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

* These are approximate values and recommendations. Please take your personal fitness level, technical ability and the current weather conditions into account. Tirol Werbung cannot guarantee that the information provided is correct and accepts no liability.

Public transport

Accessible using public transport

Parking

"Parkplatz Länd" car park at the tourist information office in Scharnitz (pay-and-display)

Places serving food & drink

Various locations in Scharnitz

Downloads

GPS data: Karwendel Gorge, Scharnitz (gpx)

Trail description

This hike begins at the "Parkplatz Länd" car park and leads along the "Hinterautalstraße" road in an easterly direction towards Scharnitz as far as a bridge crossing the Isar river. The route then continues along the banks of the Isar in a south-easterly direction for about one kilometre until you reach a gravel depot. Just a few metres further on between the gravel depot and the Isar, there is a trail heading off left into the forest. The path then continues north, gently uphill, along the Karwendel Gorge, until it meets a wider trail. Follow this right and continue for around one kilometre along the "Karwendeltalweg" path through thick forests. At around 1.000 metres above sea level you turn off left onto a trail leading towards Scharnitz. Head pas the small "Pirzlkapelle" chapel towards Inrain. Cross back over the bridge there to reach the southern side of the Isar and head back along the "Hinterautalstraße" road to the starting point.