Walking direction Reith to Scharnitz

Reith – Nördlinger Hütte

Stage 1 – Day 1

Reith – Nördlinger Hütte

Best foot forward

Each step on this initial stage takes you further away from your hectic everyday life and deeper into the imposing Karwendel mountain range. Once you reach the Nördlinger Hütte, you can enjoy the view, take stock and get ready for the upcoming stages.

  • Starting point: Reith train station near Seefeld
  • Endpoint: Nördlinger Hütte
  • Highest point: 2239 m
  • Recommended equipment: ankle-high mountain boots, sufficient water
  • Difficulty: moderately difficult / red mountain trail
interactive map stage 1
gpx stage 1
gpx all stages Reith-Scharnitz

Difference in altitude uphill

1130 m

,

Distance

6,5 km

Difference in altitude downhill

10 m

Duration

4:30 h

Starting in Reith bei Seefeld, this stage of the Karwendel High Alpine Trail leads you via the Schartlehnerhaus on your way to the Nördlinger Hütte.

Stage description:
In Reith, you start at the railway station and follow the road towards the north. After crossing Römerstraße road, continue north on Panoramaweg road until this branches off into a bend heading south. Follow Panoramaweg before turning on to trail 211 and heading in a northerly direction. A short time later, this branches off to the right and snakes along to the Schartlehnerhaus (1856 m). The trail then leads across the Latschenrücken ridge of the ‘Schoaßgrat’, with the winding early sections of this route subsequently giving way to less pronounced curved passages as you complete your final ascent to the Nördlinger Hütte (2239 m).

Variant:
The starting point is the valley station of the Bergbahnen Rosshütte in Seefeld. Take the funicular up to the Rosshütte (1751 m), then travel on the Härmelekopfbahn cable car to reach the start of the hike. From here, you can proceed directly along the Kuntersteig trail (10) to the Nördlinger Hütte (variant 1) or follow the steep and exposed route via the Härmelekopf and Reither Spitze mountains (79) to get to the Nördlinger Hütte (variant 2).

Summit along the stage:
If you still have time and stamina, you can take a detour to the following peaks on this stage:

  • Reither Spitze (2374 m); ascent: + 30 min
  • Härmelekopf (2274 m); ascent: + 1 h

Good to know:
Once you have completed this winding stage, which features varying levels of steepness as it leads you to the Nördlinger Hütte, you will have made a good start to your tour. If you keep your eyes peeled, you will be able to spot a number of interesting types of plants and animals – some of which are included in the list a little further down. Enjoy discovering the local flora and fauna!

The Karwendel mountain range in Tirol offers mesmerizing views of a boundless blue sky adorned with wisps of clouds on the Höhenweg trail.
Etappe 1
A Karwendel Höhenweg leading to a valley in Tirol's mountains.
A breathtaking view of the Karwendel mountain range along the Höhenweg trail, with majestic trees framing the background.
Etappe 1
A small cabin sits on top of a mountain in the Dolomites, offering breathtaking views of the Höhenweg.
A house on a hill with mountains in the background.

From hut to hut

Huts on this stage

As Reith is our starting point, only the Nördlinger Hütte is located on this stage. You can find important information and interesting background knowledge in the hut profile.

Nördlinger Hütte

Look closely!

Flora and fauna on this stage

There are typical types of plants and animals to discover on each of the six stages. The more varied the mountain terrain, the more diverse the creatures that live there.

A black bird flying in the Karwendel mountains.

Alpine Chough

A group of white flowers growing out of a rock in Tirol's Karwendel Höhenweg.

Blue-green Saxifrage

A group of blue flowers growing on a Karwendel rock.

Clusius’ Gentian

Deutscher Fransenenzian (Gentiana germanica)

Chiltern Gentian

A blue flower with green leaves found along the Karwendel Höhenweg in Tirol.

Fringe-flowered Gentian

Three-Toed Woodpecker

A group of butterflies on a rock in Tirol.

Ringlet

A white flower with a yellow center found along the Höhenweg in Karwendel, Tirol.

Mountain Avens

A bird with wings spread soaring above the Höhenweg in Karwendel, Tirol.

Golden Eagle

A small white flower growing out of a rock along the Karwendel Höhenweg in Tirol.

Livelong Saxifrage

Karwendel High Alpine Trail

other stages

On a total of six stages, mountain-loving Karwendel enthusiasts, or those who would like to become one, get to know the Karwendel mountains in all their different facets. Mountain pine fields alternate with the gravel cirques typical of the Karwendel. The view wanders between the seemingly barren gray of the Karwendel scree and the densely populated Inn valley.

Etappe 2

Stage 2: Nördlinger Hütte - Solsteinhaus

Via the origin saddle and the Eppzirler Scharte you follow the trail from the Nördlinger Hütte to the Solsteinhaus.

Etappe 3

Stage 3: Solsteinhaus - Pfeishütte

On the third day you have to master the longest stage of the multi-day tour. It goes from the Solsteinhaus over the Seegrube and the Hafelekar to the Pfeishütte.

Etappe 4

Stage 4: Pfeishütte - Bettelwurfhütte

Strengthened by the good food at the Pfeishütte, you hike over the Stempeljoch and the Wilde Bande trail to the Bettelwurfhütte.

Etappe 5

Stage 5: Bettelwurfhütte - Hallerangerhaus

From the Bettelwurfhütte, with a view of the Halltal valley, the route leads to the Lafatscher Joch and then through the pass to the Hallerangerhaus.

The Karwendel Höhenweg in Tirol offers breathtaking views of a river winding through a picturesque valley, set against the majestic backdrop of towering mountains.

Stage 6: Hallerangerhaus - Scharnitz

From the Hallerangerhaus you descend along the wild river Isar and through the Hinterautal valley to the community of Scharnitz.

Karwendel Höhenweg Tirol