Karwendel North-South (Day 2)

Day 2

With good weather, an early start today is doubly worthwhile: In the early morning hours, the panoramic view from the summit is outstanding, and the south-facing descent is less exhausting. To the highest peak in the Karwendel, the Birkkarspitze (2749 m), we follow the path behind the house, which after about 20 minutes leaves the dwarf pine belt and meets the first scree field. Here the path forks: as a variant for sure-footed and alpine-experienced climbers, the Brendl-Steig (+ 1h walking time) is recommended, which leads over the Ödkarspitzen to the summit and branches off to the right here. The standard path 225 continues straight ahead through the Schlauchkar, steadily uphill on limestone scree; in the last section, there are some wire-rope secured spots, which can be overcome without difficulty. On the Schlauchkarsattel, we encounter the Birkkar emergency bivouac (2639 m), which offers shelter in bad weather. Those who are sufficiently free from vertigo and sure-footed for the highest peak in the Karwendel can reach it via the secured but partly exposed trail in about 20 minutes. Parts of the luggage can also wait in the bivouac, as we return here. The broad summit of the Birkkarspitze is ideal for an extensive break.

Back to the bivouac hut, the descent now follows southwards into the western Birkkar. The descent is consistently steep, rocky, and somewhat brittle. Rope protections help to master this section well. Once we have reached the Birkkar, the terrain flattens a bit and leads above the Birkkarbach stream towards the Kastenalm (1220 m, place to stop for food and drink) down into the Hinterautal valley.

Anyone who wants to visit the beautiful source of the Isar can reach it about 1 km downstream on the forest road in the valley floor. Otherwise, from the Kastenalm, we follow hiking path 224 to the Hallerangerhaus (1768 m) or to the Hallerangeralm, our destination for today.