Skip to main content

Start Point

Karwendelhaus

End Point

Kastenalm

Difficulty

Hard

Total Distance

9,20 km

Descent Meters

883 m

Highest Point

2642 m

Total Time

07:00 h

Map & Elevation Profile

Start Point

Karwendelhaus

End Point

Kastenalm

Difficulty

Hard

Total Distance

9,20 km

Descent Meters

883 m

Highest Point

2642 m

Total Time

07:00 h

Hiking

Best Time

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Hiking tour

Summit hike

Next to the Karwendelhaus, the marked trail to the Birkkarspitze begins. The path starts steep and passes through rocky terrain, with some sections secured by cables. It winds past dwarf pines and avalanche barriers. The route then becomes less steep, heading southeast into the seemingly endless Schlauchkar. Along the way, the trail passes a junction to the Hochalmkreuz on the left and another to the Brendelsteig on the right, continuing straight ahead. The ascent through the kar is challenging, often (Stoanmandln) crossing rocky sections and loose scree. Cairns provide orientation. The trail grows steeper as it approaches the final section, leading southwest to the Schlauchkarsattel.

This area often requires crossing a hard snowfield, where following existing footsteps is recommended. From the Schlauchkarsattel at 2,639 meters, the trail continues past the Birkkarhütte (emergency shelter) and follows a secured climbing section. A straightforward scramble along the West Ridge leads to the summit of the Birkkarspitze at 2,749 meters, marked by a summit cross.

The descent follows the same route back to the Schlauchkarsattel and continues southward. The trail initially drops steeply through boulder fields, with some sections secured by cables, into the Western Birkkar. It then follows

Features & Characteristics

Similar Tour Suggestions

Brunnsteinspitze mit Gipfelkreuz - Scharnitz (4).jpg

Hiking

Hike to the Brunnsteinspitze Summit, 2,180 m

Length

13,00 km

Duration

08:30 h

Uphill

1368 hm

Altitude

2180 hm

Difficulty

Hard

Weidachsee in Leutasch am Morgen - Luftaufnahme.jpg

Hiking

Wheelchair Circular Walk around the Weidachs

Length

3,00 km

Duration

00:45 h

Uphill

10 hm

Altitude

1120 hm

Difficulty

Hard

Karwendelmarsch 2018 (13).jpg

Hiking

Karwendel March 35 km

Length

35,00 km

Duration

12:30 h

Uphill

1664 hm

Downhill

1358 hm

Altitude

1843 hm

Difficulty

Hard

Ausblick von der Arnplattenspitze auf die Gehrenspitze, Hohe Munde und Leutasch im Herbst - Leutasch.jpg

Hiking

Circular hike Arnplattenspitze, 2,171 m

Length

8,60 km

Duration

07:00 h

Uphill

1106 hm

Altitude

2171 hm

Difficulty

Hard

Nördlinger Hütte - Wanderer kurz vor der Hütte (2).jpg

Hiking

Circular hike to the Nördlinger Hütte alpine hut & Reither Spitze Summit, 2,374m

Length

9,90 km

Duration

07:30 h

Uphill

1191 hm

Altitude

2374 hm

Difficulty

Hard

Wanderer auf dem Weg vom Seefelder Joch zur Seefelder Spitze - Gipfelkreuz der Spitze im Blick.jpg

Hiking

"Königstour" The royal's hiking tour

Length

4,40 km

Duration

03:00 h

Uphill

502 hm

Downhill

464 hm

Altitude

2364 hm

Difficulty

Hard

Gipfel Grosse Arnspitze - Scharnitz.jpg

Hiking

Hike to the Große Arnspitze Summit, 2,196 m

Length

9,00 km

Duration

07:30 h

Uphill

1247 hm

Altitude

2196 hm

Difficulty

Hard

toni-gaugg-weg_im_karwendel_wanderer_macht_bild.jpg

Hiking

Toni Gaugg Trail: High-Alpine Ridge Route from the Pleisenhütte to the Karwendelhaus

Length

12,74 km

Duration

08:00 h

Uphill

1200 hm

Altitude

2506 hm

Difficulty

Hard