Mountain hike with a view: The 5 most beautiful summit tours

One should definitely visit the Seefelder Spitze at least once. The 360-degree views from there are breathtaking: in every direction, as far as the eye can see. The gaze drifts to Germany and the Zugspitze, to Italy and even to Switzerland, while simultaneously overlooking the entire plateau and admiring the rugged and impressive peaks of the Karwendel mountains on the other side. The ascent from the Seefelder Joch is short and wonderfully walkable along the ridge via the cable car. The path is easy, though one should have a minimum level of head for heights.

Difficulty: easy

Duration: To Seefelder Spitze about 30 minutes from Seefelder Joch (ascent with the Rosshütte cable cars)

Distance: 2 km / 100 meters elevation gain

Highlight: 360-degree views and views of 4 countries

Refreshment options: Mountain restaurant Rosshütte, Café Segafredo, Nördlinger Hütte, Hochegg Alm, Reitherjoch Alm

Description: The easiest way to ascend is with the Rosshütte cable cars. Comfortably, you take the Jochbahn to the Seefelder Joch, from where you can already enjoy wonderful views. From the summit cross of Seefelder Joch, you walk easily towards Seefelder Spitze, the ridge is only briefly a bit exposed, otherwise easy to walk. From the Seefelder Spitze, you can either descend the same way or extend the hike further. The options are diverse: you can continue hiking to the Reither Spitze as a “Königstour” (difficult path, sure-footedness required), or for a slightly less difficult route, you can hike over the Härmelekopf to the Nördlinger Hütte. Additionally, you can descend via the Reitherjoch Alm or also via the Rosshütte cable cars to the Kaltwassersee and Hochegg Alm. Regardless of which path you choose: each of them is worth it.

The Gehrenspitze is a true hiking highlight. The paths to the summit are dreamy and varied, the view is unforgettable, and two alpine pastures await with delicious rewards. Which one to stop at? Best to visit both. A tour that everyone should definitely do at least once.

Difficulty: hard

Highlight: Wonderful paths through idyllic landscapes, views, delicious stops

Stopping Points: Wangalm, Wettersteinhütte

Description: The starting point of the tour is the "Puitbach" parking lot in Leutasch (limited parking available, we highly recommend the easy arrival by regional bus; free with guest card). From the parking lot or bus stop, cross the road and walk through the idyllic Puittal towards Scharnitzjoch. On a beautiful path, you wind your way up in numerous switchbacks to Puitegg and further on to Scharnitzjoch. By this point, you already have a great view of the Wetterstein Mountains, the impressive walls of Schüsselkars, the Gaistal, and the Gehrenspitze. From Scharnitzjoch, follow the path gently ascending until you reach the small memorial hut and continue towards Gehrenspitze. Here, the path becomes a little exposed, requiring surefootedness and a bit of head for heights, until you reach the summit of Gehrenspitze. Here, you have breathtaking views over Leutasch and far beyond the Alps. You return the same way past the memorial hut and to Scharnitzjoch. Here, you turn towards Wangalm and initially descend steeper towards the large memorial stone in the Scharnitztal. From here, continue down to Wangalm, where a worthwhile stop awaits on the terrace. From the hut, you can either descend via the forest road or the woodland trail into Gaistal until you reach the Stupfer parking lot. Once at the bottom, you can dip your tired feet into the refreshing waters of the Leutascher Ache. With the regional bus, you can conveniently travel to the other towns or back to the starting point. If you wish to hike back on foot, you will cover another approximately 3.5 kilometers (and about 2.5 hours) more.

The Birkkarspitze is the "Queen of the Karwendel": It is the highest peak of the mountain range. Climbing to its summit and enjoying the breathtaking views is a truly special feeling. The hike to the Birkkarspitze is long and demanding, and it requires very good foot placement and a head for heights. The route into the Karwendel is extensive and can therefore be ideally combined as a "Bike and Hike" tour or with an overnight stay at the Karwendelhaus.

Difficulty: hard

Highlight: highest peak of the Karwendel, easy climbing sections and stunning views in and out

Refreshment options: Karwendelhaus

Description: The starting point for the tour to the Birkkarspitze is the parking lot "Länd" at the Scharnitz information office. From here, you walk or ride along flat paths beside the turquoise Isar towards the Karwendel valleys and follow the path into the Karwendeltal. The route leads you towards Karwendelhaus, where you first have to overcome a steep ascent before it becomes flatter and more beautiful again. Initially, you ride along the Karwendelbach on a picturesque route until you reach an idyllic alpine meadow. This magnificent spot between meadow and creek invites you to take a break before proceeding on a steeper forest road with several switchbacks up to the Karwendelhaus. By now, 18 km of the trail have been covered. If you're doing well on time, you can take a break at the Karwendelhaus for a delicious meal to recharge for the further ascent on foot.

After leaving the bike at the Karwendelhaus, follow the narrow trail No. 225 behind the Karwendelhaus towards the Birkkarspitze. The steep path is partially secured with ropes and leads through avalanche barriers, then through a larch forest and later up through the Schlauchkar. The climb to the Schlauchkarsattel is steep and strenuous, and depending on the season, snowfields may be present here. Continuing over the emergency bivouac hut, the path leads you up to a final ascent. This section is again partially equipped with steel cables, and you should definitely be sure-footed during the easy climbing sections. The incomparably beautiful views from the highest peak of the mountain range reward you for the hard struggle. You descend the same way, especially in the upper area great caution is required.

She is the grand lady among the mountains: The Hohe Munde (2,662 m). She towers above Leutasch and is perhaps the most famous mountain in the region due to her distinctive shape. The Munde has two summits (East Summit and West Summit), from which one has incomparably beautiful views. Admittedly, the ascent and especially the descent are challenging and require good physical condition and sure-footedness, but: the view compensates for everything. You can hike to the Hohe Munde either via the Rauthhütte and descend the same way, or – for those seeking a challenge – cross over.

Difficulty: difficult

Highlight: two peaks, great views into the Inn Valley and all the way to the Zugspitze

Refreshment options: Rauthhütte

Description: For the route to the Hohe Munde via the Rauthhütte , you can either start from the parking lot "Buchener Höhe" between Buchen and Leutasch, and from here ascend through the forest to the hut via the trail, or park at the "Rauthhütte/Mundestadl" parking lot and hike from there via the forest road. Behind the Rauthhütte, the path initially goes gently to the right over meadows. Along the way, be sure to take a detour to the Zugspitzblick and admire Germany's highest peak for the first time. Continuing through the larch forests and later rocky alpine terrain towards the summit, the steep path requires sure-footedness and some effort, which is then rewarded with fantastic views at the East Summit (2,595 m). From here, the path continues easily along the ridge to the West Summit (2,662 m). The return is the same way back. At the Rauthhütte, you can look forward to a particularly delicious refreshment stop: the hut has been awarded multiple times by Gault Millau.

The Reither Spitze, high above Seefeld and Reith, is an impressive peak. From hardly any other place can one enjoy such a beautiful view of the Karwendel mountains and at the same time look over Seefeld and the region, the Inn Valley, and large parts of the Alps. The tour is perfectly complemented by a very delicious stop at the spectacularly situated Nördlinger Hütte.

Difficulty: difficult

Highlight: magnificent viewpoint peak, stop at the Nördlinger Hütte

Places to stop: Nördlinger Hütte

Description: The hike to the Reither Spitze is particularly beautiful as a crossing from Seefelder Spitze ("Königstour"). It is also possible to ascend from Reith near Seefeld via very beautiful paths. The starting point here is the Reith train station near Seefeld, where you follow the road north and hike along the Roman path until you turn onto a trail (No. 211). Shortly thereafter, the trail branches off to the right towards the Schartlehnerhaus (unmanned). In steep switchbacks, you walk up to the Schartlehnerhaus at 1,856m and continue through dwarf pine fields to the Nördlinger Hütte. Here too, the path is initially steep again before later becoming less winding towards the hut. Behind the Nördlinger Hütte, the path leads steeply and partially secured with cables to the summit of the Reither Spitze, where you may want to linger a little longer to enjoy the view. The descent is via the same route, and one should definitely stop at the Nördlinger Hütte.