From our series “Fire and ice employees on tour”. A field report by our employee Magdalena Klawonn:
The Karwendel mountains are often my destination on free weekends. Out into nature and preferably to the unique, so-called“Ahornboden”. A wide valley plain, nestled between high, gray rocky peaks and maple trees. A view for the gods. I thought to myself that our customers would like that too and immediately started planning our new tour through the middle of the incredibly pristine Eastern Karwendel.
Day 1: Off we go to the largest lake in Tyrol
The tour starts at Lake Achensee, the largest lake in Tyrol. It is known far and wide and, depending on the weather, is sometimes turquoise, sometimes deep dark blue between the mountains. A short transfer takes me from here to the start of my first stage. After just a few steps, I reach the first highlight of the tour. From a small bridge, I look directly into an impressive gorge. The water rushes at high speed between the high boulders and glows a magical green.
Afterwards, the mountain tour to the Demeljoch with its stunning views begins. A beautiful path winds its way up the slope through the forest. It’s a hot day and I’m glad I have two liters of water in my rucksack. Finally, a wide view opens up of today’s destination, which majestically awaits me behind a valley cut. I continue uphill across flowering alpine meadows and later a barren scree landscape. I am now far enough up to see the whole of Lake Sylvenstein — what a view. You’d think I’d landed on a Norwegian fjord.
Almost at my destination, I continue along a panoramic ridge to the summit of the Demeljoch. I enjoy my snack with a luxurious 360° view of the Karwendel mountains. Finally, it’s a leisurely walk down into the valley to Fall and the Sylvensteinsee lake.
Day 2: Through the water-rich valley in the middle of the Karwendel
I set off early the next day and the trail leads me into a very quiet, almost deserted valley. I am accompanied by numerous streams. The initial forest path gives no indication of what is to come later. The further I go towards the end of the valley, the narrower the path becomes and finally an idyllic path leads along the stream and often over the stream through the wild Karwendel nature. Almost at the end of the valley, it now becomes steep and the path leads further and further up along the rocks.
I consider whether I should take a dip in one of the many waterfalls, but decide to carry on. I finally reach the saddle and look back down into the valley. It’s quiet there, not a trace of civilization. I am now standing at the beautifully situated Delpsee lake with a picturesque rock face in the background, reflected in the water. I notice several chamois looking at me curiously and then making themselves comfortable in the grass a little way off.
Finally, the route climbs pleasantly along the stream to the rustic Tölzer Hütte, which can be seen from afar and is my destination for today.
Day 3: Hiking to Ahornboden — a true picture book and the center of the Eastern Karwendel
The next day, I descend from the Tölzer Hütte into the Rißtal valley on the other side. Once I reach the bottom, I take off my shoes and cool my feet in the river. It’s not easy to find a river this color. The water is a milky, bright blue. To be honest, it doesn’t actually look real at all — as if it had been edited with Photoshop. But anyone thinking of a full-body bath here should be warned about shock freezing. Refreshed, I take the mountaineering bus to the Eng, the end of the valley where my hotel is waiting.
The drive alone is worthwhile. To the right and left, everything is full of maple trees, which gave the Ahornboden its name. In the fall, the leaves of the maple trees glow orange and the so-called Indian summer leaves its admirers amazed at the natural spectacle.
Day 4: From one Karwendel valley to the next
Before the day hikers arrive, I’m already on my way again the next morning. The first steep ascent to the well-known Binsalm is along pleasant paths. The sun’s rays are slowly getting warmer and I hike on to the Lamsenjoch. A panoramic path leads through the typical green and gray picture-book landscape of the Karwendel and takes me into the valley opposite to the Gramaialm.
I turn in here and enjoy the rocky landscape around me once again. You could now hike out into the valley. However, I opt for a very special alternative and hop on the nostalgia bus, an old school bus, which takes me out of the valley to Pertisau and back to Lake Achensee. Now I walk the last stretch to Maurach, where I spend the night tonight.
Day 5: With Caribbean flair on Lake Achensee back to the starting point
The last day has begun and I’m particularly looking forward to today’s stage. Because the route takes me along an exciting path directly above Lake Achensee to Achenkirch. Far away from civilization, there are only the rock faces on the left, my path and me in the middle and the lake on the right. It feels like I’ve been transported to the Caribbean for a moment, because the water near the shore is so incredibly turquoise.
Today’s stage is an easy up and down with a moderate amount of altitude to Achenkirch — the perfect way to end the trip. If you also want to make the last stage super sporty, you can choose the breathtaking but quite challenging tour over Seeberg- and Seekarspitze instead of the climb. In this case, the route leads along a ridge at the top of the mountains all the way to Achenkirch.
Mentally fully recovered, I finish my planning trip and think back on the many impressions. Ready to embark on this unique tour yourself? Then click here for the tour: