Karwendel to Zugspitze Traverse 6 Days Self Guided

Your trek begins with an easy stroll along the shores of Lake Achensee, on wide, comfortable paths with lovely views out across the turquoise water. From Pertisau, the route eases away from the lake and into the open, tranquil Falzthurntal valley, climbing gently through forest and meadows an easy, scenic warm-up for what's to come.

The path then steepens noticeably, switchbacking up the mountainside toward the Binssattel saddle. It's a sustained, arduous pull, but the views only get better as you climb, and at the top you're rewarded with a sweeping panorama taking in the Laliderwand, the Eng valley, and the peaks of the Sonnjoch and Gramai.

From here, it's all downhill a gentle 30-minute descent brings you down to Binsalm, your alpine hut for the night, set in a beautiful spot above the valley.

Approximate time and distances:

20kms / 1000m up / 450m down / 6 hours trekking

12miles / 3280ft up / 1400ft down / 6 hours trekking

Today brings an up-and-down day as you navigate deeper into the heart of the Karwendel. Leaving the quiet, little-visited pastures of Binsalm, the trail winds through a landscape of sharp climbs and descents, threading between rocky ridgelines and alpine meadows. Along the way you'll pass Falkenhütte, one of the region's classic refuges, perched at 1,848m beneath the towering Laliderer Wände, a perfect spot to pause and take in the scenery.

From Falkenhütte, the final stretch climbs once more on a narrow forest path that rises steadily, mostly shaded, though it can catch the afternoon sun, before delivering you to Karwendelhaus. Over a century old, this massive mountain hut of natural stone and timber cladding seems to grow straight out of the rock face. It sits dramatically on the mountainside high above the valley, a fitting, unforgettable place to spend the night deep in the Karwendel wilderness.

Approximate time and distances:

17kms / 1300m up / 1000m down / 6 hours trekking

10.5miles / 4300ft up / 3280ft down / 6 hours trekking

Your final day begins with a series of switchbacks winding down from Karwendelhaus on a broad forest road, quickly losing height as you leave the high pass behind. The path soon eases into the long, open Karwendeltal valley, with the towering Birkkarspitze, the Karwendel's highest peak, and other imposing summits framing the valley floor on either side.

Along the way you'll pass the Larchetalm, a beautiful stretch of pastureland where you can rest beside the rushing Karwendel stream, and the small Birzl Chapel a little further on. The route follows the Karwendelbach for much of the descent, with side waterfalls, cascades and small gorges to enjoy as the stream tumbles down through the valley.

The final stretch flattens out into a gentle, easy walk along the valley floor, bringing you into the village of Scharnitz.

Approximate time and distances:

16kms / 100m up / 900m down / 4 hours trekking

10miles / 300ft up / 3000ft down / 4 hours trekking

Today marks the transition from wild Karwendel trekking into the gentler landscapes of the Zugspitze region. From Scharnitz, the trail follows the Grießenbach stream upstream through peaceful woodland before climbing through forest toward the Hohen Sattel, a ridge saddle at around 1,495m and the high point of the day.

From the top, the path descends through mixed forest and open alpine slopes, gradually easing down alongside the Leutasch Ache river as you drop into the valley below. The final stretch follows the riverside into the village of Leutasch, a peaceful settlement surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Wetterstein and wide-open meadows, marking a welcome return to valley comfort after three days in the mountains.

Approximate time and distances:

12kms / 600m up / 400m down / 4 hours trekking

7.5miles / 2000ft up / 1300ft down / 4 hours trekking

Setting out today, you'll wander past the small settlements continuing on the same river path as yesterday. From there the path begins a gradual climb alongside the Leutascher Ache, a broad valley beneath the rugged Wetterstein range.

Turning off the river path, you follow a higher trail. As you gain altitude, the landscape grows wilder passing dairy farms, cattle and some of the trails leading high into the Zugspitze.

Behind you, sweeping views of the Leutasch Valley unfold with each step. Eventually the trail brings you into the scenic Gaistal Valley. Here you’ll pass by the working farms of Gaistalalm and then shortly after Tillfussalm which both offer food and refreshments.

From here you drop back onto the lower river trail for a short stretch before starting the climb up towards Ehrwalder Almbahn. There is also the option to make a short detour to Hocherfeldern Alm before descneding down to the ski resort above Erhwald town.

This stretch of the valley is home to Haflinger horses, brown and grey cattle, and Scottish Galloway cattle grazing the pastures. From here you can either walk down to the village or Erhwald or skip the descent by taking the Brent Alm gondola. From there, the route follows the Gaisbach stream down into Ehrwald, where you'll spend the night.

Approximate time and distances:

20km / 600m up / 700m down / 5 hours trekking

12miles / 2000ft up / 2300ft down / 5 hours trekking

The route leads up and out of the town before turning toward the forest, where the climb begins, first through woodland, then over open slopes that double as ski pistes come winter.

The ascent continues up to the Speicherteich Gamskar, a quiet mountain reservoir with a small mountain resturant next to it Gamsalm Ehrwald. From here you will drop down before starting to climb up again towards the Hochthorle Hutte a perfect stop for a rest.

From the Hutte heading down gradually at first and then steeper, the scenery shifts repeatedly, from bare, rocky terrain to soft forest trail, until the brilliant turquoise of Eibsee comes into view, often ranked among the most beautiful lakes in the Alps. Sitting directly beneath the Zugspitze, its untouched shoreline makes for a spectacular end to the day.

From here you take the train into Garmish, greeted by its painted house fronts, inviting cafés, and the dramatic mountain backdrop that's accompanied you the whole way marking the end of the journey.

Approximate time and distances:

18km / 700m up / 700m down / 5 hours trekking

11miles / 2300ft up / 2300ft down / 5 hours trekking