Description

For those with a head for heights, basic scrambling skills and a desire for some epic views, this is the route you’re looking for.

It starts and finishes at the top of the Nordkette cable car and takes in some fantastic hiking, easy scrambling and stunning mountain vistas. Ride the Nordkette lift system to the top station (called Hafelekar) and then walk uphill for 10 minutes eastwards to the summit of the Hafelekarspitze peak.

Descend the far side of this and then follow the fabulous path (called the Goetheweg) which traverses along the south side of the Nordkette chain, heading in the direction of the Mandlspitze.

Shortly before arriving at the Mandlspitze the path climbs steeply to a rocky col and then drops off onto the austere north side of the chain and drops, traverses and then climbs up to the Mandlscharte col.

From here, the West ridge of the Rumerspitze is clearly visible and looks wonderful.

Looks are not deceiving! Drop off the col and head south-east over to the foot of the ridge.

The path is not overly clear at times but it's always well marked with red and white paint marks as it climbs the left hand side of the ridge.

As the terrain gets steeper and rockier the path moves onto the crest of the ridge and then onto the right side of it.

Keep following paint marks as hiking gradually becomes scrambling.

The scrambling is never tricky but parts of it are exposed and you will need to be confident in airy positions to tackle the route. Sadly the scrambling section doesn't last that long and you will soon find yourself on the spectacular summit of the Rumerspitze.

The summit offers wonderful panorama into the Karwendel National Park and across the peaks surrounding Innsbruck, as well as of the Inn valley itself.

From the top, descend the east ridge of the Rumerspitze, which involves some down-scrambling on rock that is occasionally loose.

The downclimb, like the ascent of the West ridge, is not hard but it is exposed in places and requires you to be confident in descending exposed and occasionally loose rock and scree. Once off the ridge, traverse on a good path to the Kreuzjöchl Col then turn left and make the 20 minute descent down to the Pfeisshütte.

Grab a well earned drink and perhaps a hearty Tirolian meal then make the climb back up to the Mandlscharte col and retrace your steps back to the Hafelekar, and the cable car.