Hiking

A day in the Karwendel: from Scharnitz into Hinterautal

Scharnitz sits at the western edge of Karwendel Nature Park and provides access to several valleys. The nature park visitor centre is in the village; the Isar source area lies farther into Hinterautal. This distinction matters when planning your day: a visit in the village is different from the longer outing to the spring streams and Kastenalm.

Hotels nearby

Illustrative image: Hiking — Stock photo for illustration, not a photo of the place described. Photo source: Pexels

Scharnitz is a gateway, not the whole Karwendel

Karwendel Nature Park is a large protected area; Scharnitz is a village at its western entrance. The Karwendeltal, Hinterautal and Gleirschtal valleys begin here. In the village, you can visit the nature park visitor centre and neighbouring Holzerhütte Museum. This is a separate, village-based option and should not be confused with a hike deep into the mountains.

The Isar source area is in Hinterautal

The Isar’s source streams meet in Hinterautal near Scharnitz. The nature park route to the source area and on to Kastenalm is described as a mountain-bike tour. It starts at the railway station or visitor centre, follows broad forest roads up the valley and returns by the same route. This is a long out-and-back ride, not a short walk from the village centre.

Choose the day around your mode of travel

If you are cycling, allow for the full ride, breaks and return journey, and check current route information first. For a quieter day, stay in the village and combine the visitor centre with the museum. If you want to hike, select a designated walking route from the nature park map rather than treating mountain-bike details as a walking recommendation.

Before your trip

• Decide whether you are exploring the village or planning a longer valley outing.
• For a walk, choose a designated hiking route; the route described here is a mountain-bike tour.
• Keep your distance from grazing animals and cross pastures calmly and promptly.

Experiences are not necessarily child-free. The minimum age applies to each hotel.