Pleisenhütte

The panorama at the 1,757 m high Pleisenhütte far above Scharnitz is unique. The view stretches from the Lechtal Alps over the Samnaun Group and the Stubai Alps to the nearby Wetterstein Mountains and the Karwendel itself. Seven hours of sunshine are counted here even on the shortest day of the year, 21 December.

A popular hiking and biking destination in summer, you often meet ski tourers and snowshoe hikers at the cosy hut on weekends in winter.

It was built in the 1950s by the legendary Pleisentoni at the foot of the Pleisenspitze. This foundation stone covered barely 25 square metres, from which a stately and rustic refuge emerged over the years. The Karwendel original Toni Gaugg is not only remembered by countless stories. The skeleton of an elk calf, which he discovered in one of the 14 caves in the area of the hut, can also be admired in full prehistoric splendour at the Scharnitz Information Centre. Investigations by a palaeontologist from Munich found that the bone remains of the elk calf are about 7,000 to 8,000 years old.

For over 25 years, the hut has been run by Siggi Gaugg, Toni's son, with equal passion. The wonderful spinach dumplings or his wife Andrea's venison goulash are served up here with a breathtaking portion of panoramic views.

OVERNIGHT STAYS
Up to 35 people can stay overnight in the mattress dormitory by prior arrangement. In winter the hut is only open at weekends.

LOCATION & STARTING POINT
The car can be left at the Karwendel car park, the Länd car park in Scharnitz, for which a fee is charged. This is also where you will find the Holzerhütte museum and the information centre where the elk skeleton is on display. An environmentally conscious alternative is to travel by train.

SUMMER TOURS

• To the Pleisenhütte. From the car park, an asphalt road leads to the Isarlodge Wiesenhof and turns left onto a forest road. After about 8 kilometres and 860 m difference in altitude you reach the hut.
  To the hike
  
  
  
• To the Pleisenspitze. From the Pleisenhütte, sure-footed hikers in good physical condition can continue their climb to the 2,569 m high Pleisenspitze.
  To the hike