Scharnitz in summer

In the summer, people like to call Scharnitz the "Gateway to the Karwendel" – Austria's largest nature park unfolds immediately after the Bavarian border with an impressive 739km2 of natural diversity.

There are four refreshing valleys for hiking, biking and relaxing to be found from the "base camp" of the Scharnitz Nature Park Information Centre. These are the Karwendel valley that gives the park its name, the Hinterau valley with its famous Isar springs, the Gleirsch valley with its spectacular gorge and the quiet Eppzirl valley. Along the way, numerous alpine pastures and huts line the convenient bike and hiking trails, so that even challenging (bike &) hike adventures can be divided into enjoyable stages. For example, to the Kastenalm and the Halleranger, via Gießenbach to the Eppzirl nature reserve or straight to the Birkkarspitze – at 2,749 metres the highest peak in the Karwendel.