Climbing the highest peak in the Karwendel Mountains is a challenge that is best accomplished as a scenic bike & hike tour. Surefootedness, head for heights and experience in high alpine terrain as well as short climbing passages are absolutely necessary!
The tour starts directly at the Karwendel parking lot (P2 Länd) at the Scharnitz Nature Park Information Center. Here you saddle up your (e-)bike, cycle eastwards on the HinterautalstraÃe, orient yourself to the left after the Isar bridge on the impressive Bike Trail Tirol and follow the yellow signs through the picturesque Karwendel valley to the historic Karwendelhaus at 1,765 meters above sea level.
Since 1908, the refuge has offered a popular base station for Karwendel crossings, summit tours and climbing excursions. During the warm summer months, you can also spend the night at the historic hut - but you are definitely asked to make a reservation in advance. If you reach the Karwendelhaus and bring a suitable charger, you can charge your e-bike battery here and even carry out minor repairs. Once the bike is safely stowed away, a rustic refreshment is recommended in the more than one hundred year old restaurant or on the panoramic sun terrace before tackling the approximately three-hour ascent of the Birkkarspitze.
The ascent to the summit winds in steep switchbacks through the Schlauchkar and over a coarse gravel scree path to the highest point at the Schlauchkar saddle (2,639m). Be careful on the ascent, because on the parts below the saddle there is often old snow even in summer! From the small Birkkar hut (emergency bivouac shelter) a wire-rope secured path finally leads to the spectacular summit of the Birkkarspitze at 2,749 meters above sea level.
Details for one direction:
Bike route no. 595: approx. 18 km, 850 hm uphill, 03:00 h, difficulty: medium
Hike route: about 2,5 km, 950 hm uphill, 03:00 h, difficulty: difficult
