Karwendelhaus
4.2About
The Karwendelhaus stands at about 1,765 m in the heart of the Karwendel range in Tyrol, below the Hochalmsattel and at the foot of the Birkkarspitze (2,749 m), the range's highest peak. Opened in 1908, it is owned by the Männer-Turnverein München (MTV München) section of the German Alpine Club (DAV) and is one of the great hubs of the Karwendel, a base for hiking, climbing and mountain biking deep in the Alpenpark Karwendel nature reserve. The hut sleeps up to around 180–190 guests, with roughly 50 beds and about 140 mattress-dormitory places, plus a 24-berth winter room left open in the off-season. The catered season runs from early June to mid-October. Contrary to some route descriptions, the standard approach is not from the Leutasch; instead the classic ascent climbs from Scharnitz through the long Karwendeltal, an easy but lengthy walk of about 5 hours (16 km, some 800 m of ascent) that is also a popular mountain-bike route. From the Bavarian side, Hinterriss via the Johannestal reaches the hut in about 4 hours.
Access Routes
From Scharnitz via the Karwendeltal
5h
Easy
The standard approach: about 16 km up the Karwendeltal, mostly flat with a final switchback climb, gaining roughly 800 m. Easy on foot and rideable by mountain bike.
From Hinterriss via the Johannestal
4h
Easy
From the Bavarian side at Hinterriss up the Johannestal, an easy walk of about 4 hours, also a popular mountain-bike route.
From Mittenwald via the Gjaidsteig
7h
Moderate
A longer, more scenic mountain crossing from Mittenwald over the Gjaidsteig, roughly 7 hours for experienced hikers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact the hut by phone on +43 720 983553 or by email at [email protected]; more information and booking details are on karwendelhaus.com.
The hut is catered from early June to mid-October. Outside this period a winter room with around 24 places is left open for self-sufficient visitors.
The classic approach is from Scharnitz through the Karwendeltal, an easy but long walk of about 5 hours (16 km, roughly 800 m ascent), much of it flat with a final climb of switchbacks. It is also a popular mountain-bike route.
Yes for fit walkers and cyclists: the Scharnitz and Hinterriss approaches are graded easy and non-technical, though long. The distance and the option to bike make it a manageable first hut trip.
It is a fully catered Alpine Club hut with a restaurant serving hot meals and drinks, comfortable multi-bed rooms and mattress dormitories, and a winter room for off-season use.
Location
47.4272, 11.4216
HutLists Score
4.2
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- DAV Männer-Turnverein München (MTV München)
- Season
- June – October
- Beds
- 50
- Dormitory
- 140
- Min hiking time
- 5.0h
- Nearest trailhead
- Scharnitz (Karwendeltal)
Facilities
Meals served
Contact & Booking
- [email protected]
- Phone
- +43 720 983553
- Website
- https://karwendelhaus.com
Activities
Featured In
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