Thanks for choosing Adventure Base for YOUR adventure. In this page you will find everything you need in order to better understand your trip. We hope this is the start of a wonderful experience in the mountains.
The Adventure Base Team.
WHAT NOW?
We’re thrilled you’ve chosen Adventure Base for your Karwendel Alps Highlights trek! From now until you set foot in the Alps, we’re here to help you prepare so you can make the most of this incredible experience.
Your full trip itinerary will be sent via our mobile app closer to your departure date. It will include all the essential details to navigate the route smoothly. In the meantime, here are some key points to get you started.
WHAT IS THE KARWENDEL ALPS HIGHLIGHTS TREK?
The Karwendel Alps Highlights trek is a three-day hut-to-hut adventure through the Karwendel, Austria’s largest and one of its wildest mountain ranges. Starting from the turquoise waters of Lake Achensee, the route climbs into remote alpine terrain, taking in dramatic limestone peaks, quiet pastures and classic Tyrolean mountain refuges, before descending to Scharnitz, where a short train ride carries you onward to Innsbruck. You’ll pass through places including Binsalm, Falkenhütte and Karwendelhaus, with highlights including sweeping lake views, rugged high mountain scenery and overnight stays in authentic Alpine huts.
WHAT GEAR DO I NEED?
The best advice: pack light! You’ll need less than you think.
Trail shoes or lightweight hiking boots are suitable for this trek, depending on your preference and the conditions. Lightweight, waterproof layers are essential, as mountain weather can change quickly. Trekking poles are also highly recommended to help with the ascents and descents.
You’ll find our full kit list here.
If you’d like further advice on how to choose the right backpack for your trek please see here.
NAVIGATION
Introducing our itinerary app…
We’ve done some collaborating to make your Karwendel Alps Highlights trek a breeze. It’s like having your own personal travel guide, offering easy access to everything you need, from itineraries and track details to water/food stops and useful information.
All your trip essentials are just a tap away, so you can focus on making the most of your time away and having an awesome adventure.
How will I navigate on my own?
- It’s important you study the route before you set off, preferably the evening before each day of hiking, so that you have an idea of what your next day will entail. Take into consideration distance, elevation gain and loss, and exposure to the elements.
- Phone signal is not always available on the trails and battery life on your mobile device can quickly be drained when using the itinerary app. It is a good idea to carry an external battery charger as a backup. Putting your phone in airplane mode will also help preserve your battery life.
- Trails are generally well signposted, but there may be various options and junctions along the way. Always check your itinerary app to make sure you are following the correct route.
- Our advice is to check your device whenever you get to a junction to ensure that you are taking the correct trail to lead you to your destination. Taking a few minutes to confirm you’re going in the right direction will save you time in the long run.
HOW DO I GET TO THE STARTING POINT OF THE TREK?
Our standard Karwendel Alps Highlights trek starts at Lake Achensee, Austria. See here for more information.
Lake Achensee is well connected via Innsbruck, making it relatively straightforward to reach by train or bus from Innsbruck and other major towns in the Tyrol.
COMMUNICATION
For urgent issues:
Phone: +33 7497 767 71 (French Office)
For non-urgent issues:
Phone: +44 20 3813 4779 (UK Office)
Email: hello@adventurebase.com (we aim to respond rapidly).
What to do in an emergency?
If critical, dial 112 (the European emergency number).
Whilst we have done our utmost to ensure that your trip will go according to plan, there are certain elements that are beyond our control. We recommend that you carefully read and understand the following section in case you find yourself in need of assistance.
The mountains, if not treated with complete respect, can be a dangerous place. Weather can change quickly, and terrain can quickly become treacherous. Making good, safe decisions based on the weather forecast and your energy levels when on a self-guided trip is paramount to making sure you have a successful trip.
If the situation is critical and requires immediate support, call 112. You can also find your exact location using the SOS function on the itinerary app whilst you’re offline.
LUGGAGE TRANSFERS
As the Karwendel Alps Highlights trek stays in remote mountain huts without vehicle access, this trip is carried self-sufficiently, meaning you’ll need to carry everything you need for the three days in your own rucksack.
Feel free to reach out to us at hello@adventurebase.com if you have any questions about what to pack or how to keep your load as light as possible.
INSURANCE
Let’s face it, these types of trips don’t come risk free. We’re putting ourselves in amazing environments but these also carry an element of risk with them.
To protect yourself adequately, you will need specialist travel insurance that caters for the types of activities you will be undertaking. It is a condition of our agreement that you are covered by adequate travel insurance for your arrangements.
See more information on insurance here.
MONEY
You will use Euros (€) during the trek.
- You’ll likely spend around €30–50 per day, depending on what you buy.
- Not all mountain huts and smaller establishments accept credit cards, so we recommend carrying some cash.
- Some remote mountain locations may have limited connectivity, which can affect card payments.
It’s always better to have a little extra cash with you so you’re not caught short.
CULTURE
The Karwendel Alps Highlights trek takes you deep into the Tyrolean Alps, giving you the chance to experience traditional Tyrolean mountain culture.
You’ll pass through alpine pastures, remote valleys and classic Austrian mountain huts, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy local food and hospitality along the way.
German is the main language you’ll encounter, although English is widely spoken in mountain accommodation.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation on the trip is in a mix of traditional Austrian mountain huts (refuges) along the route. Mountain huts typically offer simple, comfortable lodging in shared dormitory-style rooms, with shared bathroom facilities.
How do I check into my accommodation?
To check in, simply provide your name along with the name of the company, Adventure Base. All bookings are made on your behalf by Adventure Base.
Please also take a moment to reconfirm your dietary requirements at check-in.
Any dinner, drinks, snacks or packed lunches are not included unless specifically stated in your trip inclusions and must be paid for separately.
Please also note that your accommodation has already been paid for in full, so the only expense you might need to settle on arrival is the local tourist tax.
We partner with reliable accommodation providers, though given how quickly things move in the tourism industry, front desk staff aren’t always immediately up to date on the fact that your stay has already been settled. If you run into any issues, please contact us rather than paying any bill.
FOOD & WATER
The Karwendel region has plenty of opportunities to enjoy traditional Tyrolean food, from hearty mountain hut meals to hut-brewed snacks along the way.
You can usually purchase snacks and packed lunches from mountain huts, restaurants or local shops, although options can be more limited on some days. Each possible stop for food is added as a ‘Point of Interest’ in your navigational app. Please use this to look ahead to the following day to see what options you have.
We recommend carrying enough food and water for each day’s hike rather than relying entirely on stops along the route.
We suggest bringing at least 2 litres of water and carrying extra snacks in case lunch options aren’t available when you need them.
WIFI / SERVICE
During the Karwendel Alps Highlights trek, internet and mobile phone service can vary and is often limited.
You’ll generally have good connectivity in towns and villages such as Achensee and Scharnitz, but there is likely to be little to no signal while hiking through remote mountain terrain, and not all mountain huts offer Wi-Fi.
We recommend downloading everything you need in advance and carrying a portable power bank for your phone.
ITINERARY CHANGES
All accommodation has been booked in advance and we don’t have the ability to change it unfortunately.
In the unlikely event that you’re not able to continue to your next accommodation due to injury or weather, you may need to arrange alternative transportation. This might include a bus or taxi to get you to where you need to be. Any changes to your itinerary while out on the trip are at your own expense.
Please ensure you arrive at your accommodation NO later than 18:00. If you anticipate being late, it is essential to inform the accommodation in advance. You can find their contact numbers in your itinerary app, or feel free to contact us and we will notify them on your behalf.
WEATHER
The weather in the Karwendel Alps can be quite varied.
During the main trekking season, you can experience warm and sunny conditions in the valleys, while temperatures can be considerably cooler at higher elevations. Mountain weather can also change quickly, so you need to be prepared for rain, wind and colder conditions even during summer.
Bring plenty of layers, waterproof clothing, sun protection, a hat and sunglasses.
If the weather turns bad, the plan will depend on the severity of the conditions. You may continue the trek if it’s raining, as long as conditions remain safe. Always prioritise safety and mountain conditions when deciding whether to continue or adjust your plans.
FITNESS
The Karwendel Alps Highlights trek is a fantastic but active adventure.
While it does not require technical skills, you should have a good level of fitness and be comfortable walking for around 5-7 hours a day over remote, hilly terrain, with regular ascents and descents while carrying a backpack. We recommend training before your trip, particularly with longer walks and some elevation gain and descent, ideally while carrying a loaded pack.
See here for trekking training tips.
TOP TIPS
It is mostly common sense but there are a few things that are good to bear in mind.
- Set off as early as you can in the mornings in order to give yourself enough time to get to your destination. It is easy to underestimate how long the journey can take.
- Make sure you’ve got plenty of blister plasters. Even comfortable boots or shoes can cause blisters over multiple consecutive days of trekking.
- Bring enough cash. Cards are widely accepted but not everywhere, particularly in smaller mountain huts.
- Take plenty of snacks with you. While there are opportunities to stop for food along the route, these aren’t guaranteed throughout the day.
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast each morning and be prepared to adjust your plans if conditions change.
- Follow the “Leave No Trace” principle: don’t leave any rubbish behind on the trails, including organic waste, and try not to disturb the natural habitat.
- When trails are narrow, be courteous to other walkers. It is often easier for people travelling uphill to maintain their rhythm, so step aside when appropriate.
- Most importantly, enjoy it! The Karwendel Alps crosses some incredible alpine scenery and offers a great mix of mountains, valleys, forests, alpine pastures and traditional mountain villages.
