Description

Starting at the cable car network in Seefeld, this is a brilliant way of seeing what the Karwendel mountain range is all about.

The hike can be done in either direction, depending on whether you prefer going up or down.

The way it's described here is primarily down, but the stats here are dependent on the cable car being open - if the cable car is shut then the day becomes much longer no matter which way you do it! Both the start and the finish of the hike can be reached easily on direct trains from Innsbruck city centre so this is an ideal trip for those without a car.

The hike is quite adventurous in nature and there are some sections of easy scrambling and some parts are protected by cables - this is not the place to come if you are not a confident and experienced hiker. From the top of the cable car, climb up to the Reither Spitze peak, from where you will be able to see much of this route.

Descend down to the Nördlinger Hut and then begin the long, descending traverse to the Solsteinhaus.

The traverse begins with the crossing of a scree bowl and then gradually leads you onto the ridge crest and the Freiungspitzen peak.

This is a fairly remote peak and as such the summit is a great place to sit and breathe in the solitude.

Get moving again and follow the ridge as it descends down, via some steep scree slopes, to the forests above the Solsteinhaus.

Hike down these to the hut itself, which is perched on a huge, barren-feeling col.

Fuel yourself for a long descent to Hochzirl and then....do it! There's a train station (and not much else) in Hochzirl, from where you can easily get to Innsbruck or Seefeld.