Hallerangerhaus – Scharnitz

The longest section of the sixth and final stage of the Karwendel High Alpine Trail leads mountaineers along the Isar. This river has its source in Tirol and only enters Germany after passing through Scharnitz.

• Starting point: Hallerangerhaus
• Endpoint: Scharnitz
• Highest point: 1768 m
• Recommended equipment: ankle-high mountain boots, sufficient water
• Difficulty: moderately difficult / red mountain trail

The sixth stage of the Karwendel High Alpine Trail is the descent from the Hallerangerhaus to Scharnitz via the Hinterautal valley.

Stage description:
After leaving the Hallerangerhaus, you follow trail 224 heading west. (Detour to Sunntigerspitze mountain: follow the sparsely marked trail leading north from the Hallerangeralm.)
You pass the Kohleralm pasture and soon come to the Lafatscher Niederleger before making a somewhat more steep descent on the road down into the Hinterautal valley. You can reach the Kastenalm by taking a brief detour at the marked fork in the road. From here, you keep heading along the road out of the valley and pass the source of the Isar river on the way. This is followed by a gentle ascent to the panoramic Gleirschhöhe (1069 m) and a leisurely descent that takes you past the Isarlodge Wiesenhof inn. You then come to the Isarbrücke bridge and subsequently complete the route in Scharnitz.

Good to know:
Contrary to what many visitors assume, the source of the Isar river is not a true spring as such but rather the point at which three streams converge to form the Isar. These streams are fed by the cirque sources with water from the gravelly drainage basin located further up. Their turquoise hue forms a beautiful contrast with the light grey to white gravel, providing a delightful sight for mountaineers as they hike along the final stage from the Hallerangerhaus to Scharnitz.