Scharnitz – Hallerangerhaus

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

We start the Karwendel High Alpine Trail in Scharnitz and hike through the Hinterautal to the Hallerangerhaus.

Stage description:
The Karwendel High Alpine Trail starts in Scharnitz. We follow the road always eastwards into Hinterautal. Walk slightly uphill over the Isar bridge, past the Isarlodge Wiesenhof inn, up to the Gleirschhöhe (1069 m). From here you follow the forest road, the turquoise blue Isar accompanies us on the right hand side for long stretches. Past the source of the Isar river you come to a marked fork in the path, where we always keep to the direction of Hallerangerhaus hut. The Kastenalm can be reached from the fork by a short detour. Now a little steeper, you pass the Lafatscher Niederleger and the Kohleralm hut on a nice flat ground. One last time it goes up a little steeper, over the forest path we finally reach the Hallerangerhaus.

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 this stage from Scharnitz to Hallerangerhaus.