The starting point for this tour is the Nature Park Info Center in Scharnitz. From there, the trail follows the Hinterautalstraße towards the impressive Karwendel valleys. After about 500 meters, the path crosses the Isar. Immediately after the bridge, it heads uphill to the left for about 50 meters, before turning right at the next junction into the Karwendel Valley. Here, the route continues along a forest road that winds steadily through the valley.

A worthwhile detour along the way is the Birzlkapelle, a small chapel nestled in the forest, which can be reached in about five minutes from the junction. Another highlight is the Karwendelsteg, accessible in another 10 to 15 minutes, offering a spectacular view of the stunning Karwendelbach waterfall.

After these short side trips, the main trail continues deeper into the valley. The forest road stretches through the vast Karwendel landscape, surrounded by towering peaks. While the path may seem gentle at first, the final section is more challenging: a steeper ascent through broad switchbacks leads past the unserviced Hochalm.

After roughly 18 kilometers, the Karwendelhaus is finally reached