Pfeis-Hütte in the Karwendel: Ideal base camp for tours in the Nordkette

Around Mittenwald , Krün and Wallgau there is a wide selection of hikes and mountain tours through pristine landscapes on an extensive network of hiking trails. The tours are well signposted throughout the Karwendel Mountains, but it is still advisable to set off with a hiking map in your luggage. The top tours around the Pfeishütte require a certain level of fitness as well as a head for heights and surefootedness. The tours to the Rumer Spitze and the Hintere Bachofenspitze contain easy climbing sections with a difficulty level of I–II, which means you have to use your hands here. The routes to the Stempeljochspitze and the Thaurer Jochspitze are steep and require some fitness, but are not exposed. The best time to travel is the summer months between July and October. You shouldn't set off too early in the year for tours in the Pfeis, especially as the Pfeishütte doesn't open until June 11th. The best time is from July to the beginning of October. The Pfeishütte, as a base camp for the tours, has a lot to offer: three cozy rooms with a Swedish stove, a double room and shared toilet, a south-facing terrace, deck chairs, a climbing wall and a children's playground. In addition to Tyrolean home cooking, there are also Nepalese dishes. Alpine Club members pay 18.50 euros per person for a double room, non-members 37 euros. Open until the beginning of October.

You will be well accommodated in Innsbruck at the Hotel Mondstein . The hostel is located in the colorful row of houses in Mariahilf, right on the Inn. Only a bridge separates it from the pedestrian zone of the old town. Double rooms from 120 euros.

Innsbruck is easy to reach by train. The journey from Frankfurt takes five and a half hours, from Munich one and three-quarter hours. By car, you can get there either via Mittenwald or via the Achensee route. From the city, you can take the Nordkettenbahn to the Hafelekar mountain station: first take the Hungerburgbahn to Hungerburg, then change there. The Top of Innsbruck return ticket costs 44 euros. Tip: The Innsbruck Card is the cheapest way to get to know the area, which includes public transport, museums and a cable car ride, starting at 53 euros. If you stay two or more nights, you get the Welcome Card, a free guest card with the same options.

1. On the Goetheweg to Hungerburg

From the Hafelekar mountain station, head east along the Goetheweg via Gleirschjöchl, Mühlkar- and Mandlscharte to the Pfeishütte (2.15 hours). On path no. 5 to the Kreuzjöchl, then descend via the Vintlalm to the Rumer Alm, then on the forest road via the Arzler Alm to the Hungerburg and by cable car to Innsbruck.

From the Pfeishütte, take the wide road a little way east and turn onto path no. 221 to the Stempeljoch. Head north over the wide meadow ridge, then climb steeply through rocky terrain to the summit of the Kleine Stempeljochspitze. The same route back as the outward journey.

From the Pfeishütte until just before the Stempeljoch, then take the path to the right towards the south, up a scree slope, diagonally ascending to the broad ridge between the Pfeiser and Thaurer Jochspitze. Slightly up and down to the west to the summit. Return the same way.

From the Pfeishütte follow the Goetheweg. At the fork, turn left to the Arzler Scharte. Head eastwards up a meadow ridge to the start of the western ridge of the Rumer Spitze. A few exposed climbing sections up to difficulty level II spice up the well-marked route to the summit cross. The descent via the eastern ridge only has a small climbing section (I-II) at the beginning, but is then easier than the western ridge.

5. To the rear Bachofenspitze

From the Pfeis, follow the forest path to the signpost "Hintere Bachofenspitze, Sonntagskarspitze". There, turn right onto an earthy path, first through mountain pines, then over the gravel path of the Stempeljochspitze, and finally across meadowland to a fork in the path. To reach the Hintere Bachofenspitze, the path leads right to the end of the Sonntagskar. Now steeply over rubble to the rock bands below the summit. Red markings lead through the rock. With easy climbing (I–II) to the yoke between Roßkopf and Hintere Bachofenspitze, then north over the broad summit ridge to the large metal cross. The same route as the outward route.

The Karwendel is considered by many to be the most exciting mountain range in the Eastern Alps, as it is hard to beat in terms of ruggedness. In the rocky castle between the Isar and Inn, hikers come across deep valleys framed by wild flanks. Four huge chains, all running from west to east, form the mountain range. Paradoxically, the southernmost is called the Nordkette because it rises to the north when viewed from Innsbruck. Capital of the Alps - the slogan on the tourism brochures is perhaps not too ambitious. There is hardly a corner in the city where peaks do not rise above Gothic gables or peek through between rows of houses. A climbing route in the morning, an opera in the evening. A museum in the morning, a mountain tour in the afternoon - the Nordkette cable car makes it possible. Its first section is called the Hungerburgbahn and starts underground like a subway, then heads uphill as a funicular to the highest part of Innsbruck, the so-called Hungerburg - not, as one might assume, a poor district, but a villa district. The name comes from a snack bar in the middle of the 19th century that was ridiculed by the people for its meager food. A platform offers a brilliant view over the roofs of Innsbruck, from which the famous Golden Roof stands out, the magnificent bay window at the New Court ...

... the complete article including all tour tips is available here as a PDF for download:

All important information and valuable tips can be found on the website of the Innsbruck Tourist Association: innsbruck.info . It is worth checking the local webcams before planning any tour. You can find them at innsbruck-altstadt.com Hiking tips and more: nordkette.com

The backpack should also contain the Kompass hiking map no. 26, 1:50,000, Karwendel Mountains, 11.99 euros. We also recommend the Karwendel hiking guides by Edwin Schmitt, Bergverlag Rother 2021, and by Mark Zahel: Around Innsbruck, Bergverlag Rother 2022, each for 16.90 euros. The illustrated book by Heinz Zak sets the mood with fantastic photos: Karwendel, Tyrolia-Verlag 2014, 39.95 euros.