The fourth stage of the Karwendel High Trail begins at the Pfeishütte and follows Trail 221 (Via Alpina) eastward up to the Stempeljoch ridge between the Pfeiser Spitze and the Kleine Stempeljochspitze mountains. Once you have reached the ridge between the Pfeiser Spitze and the Stempeljochspitze at an elevation of 2215 metres, you must then make a steep descent as the trail leads across a gravel field.
CAUTION: in early summer, the Stempelreise gravel field may still feature a very large amount of old snow that is extremely hard and frozen in the mornings (risk of falling: Snowline Spikes and sticks provide optimum protection)!
After a descent featuring a difference in elevation of around 140 metres, you turn left on to the Wilde-Bande-Steig trail. Fields with old snow are also a common sight at this intersection. The trail begins by leading you below the east and south faces of the Stempeljochspitze, the Roßkopf, the Großer Lafatscher and the Kleiner Lafatscher mountains, with very little variation in elevation as you head towards the Lafatscher Joch. Approaching the Lafatscher Joch (2081 m), you have to complete another ascent with an elevation gain of around 80 metres. As of this point, trail 222 (= Via Alpina) heads east with a gentle incline as it passes through the Kleines Speckkar and Großes Speckkar cirques. The final part of the journey before you reach the Bettelwurfhütte hut is characterised by panoramic views over the Halltal and Inntal valleys, with the mountain hut sitting atop the south face of the Kleiner Bettelwurf mountain like an eagle’s nest.
Summits along the way:
If you still have time and stamina, you can take the following peaks on this stage by making a detour:
• Kreuzjöchl (2158 m); ascent: +1 h (red mountain trail)
• Pfeiserspitz (2347 m); ascent: +1.5 h (black mountain trail)
• Stempeljochspitze (2529 m); ascent: +2 h (red mountain trail)
