Karwendelhaus

The Karwendelhaus is a mountain hut (Schutzhütte) located at 1765 metres in the Karwendel Nature Park in Tyrol, Austria. It is operated by the Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV), the German Alpine Club, and serves as one of the most important bases for mountain sports in the Karwendel range. The hut offers accommodation, food, and a starting point for numerous hiking and mountaineering routes, including the ascent to the Birkkarspitze (2749 m), the highest peak in the Karwendel, reachable in about 3.5 hours. Other popular destinations include the Östliche Karwendelspitze, Hochalmkreuz, and Vogelkarspitze. The Karwendelhaus is also a key stop on the Karwendel crossing, a multi-day trek from west to east that can be completed in four days with daily stages of up to 4.5 hours, passing locations such as the Kleiner Ahornboden, Falkenhütte, Laliderer Wände, Grosser Ahornboden in the Eng, Binsalm, and Lamsenjochhütte. The hut is accessible from Scharnitz via the Karwendeltal, a route suitable for both hikers and mountain bikers. It offers online reservation, seasonal opening times, and member discounts for Alpine Club members. The Karwendelhaus has a long history, having opened in 1908 after five years of construction. It was electrified in 1928, with a modernised power plant between 1964 and 1968. In 1977, the attic was expanded to increase accommodation capacity. During the 1990s, extensive renovations were carried out, including the addition of a fully biological wastewater treatment plant. In 2005, a new winter building was inaugurated, providing 24 additional beds for ski tourers when the main hut is closed. The hut remains a vital infrastructure for alpine tourism in the region.

The Karwendelhaus opened in 1908 after five years of construction. It was built to serve mountaineers and hikers exploring the Karwendel range. In 1928, the hut was electrified using a simple power plant, which was modernised between 1964 and 1968. In 1977, the attic was expanded to create greater accommodation capacity. During the 1990s, a large part of the renovation was carried out, and a fully biological wastewater treatment plant was added to the hut. In 2005, the new winter building was inaugurated; clients of the ski area (while the Karwendelhaus is closed) thus benefit from accommodation of 24 places. The hut is managed by the Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV). It continues to be a key staging point on the Karwendel crossing and a base for ascents to peaks such as the Birkkarspitze.

• 2005

  New winter building inaugurated with 24 beds.

• 1990

  Major renovation carried out during the 1990s, including a biological wastewater treatment plant.

• 1977

  Attic expanded to increase accommodation capacity.

• 1964

  Modernisation of the power plant begins (completed 1968).

• 1928

  Electrification of the hut with a simple power plant.

• 1908

  Karwendelhaus opens after five years of construction.

A traditional Alpine Club hut offering essential shelter and services for mountaineers, hikers, and mountain bikers in the Karwendel range, with a focus on accessibility and family-friendly routes.

• Overnight accommodation

  Beds in shared rooms, with member discounts.

• Half-board meals

  Breakfast and dinner for guests.

• Winter room

  24 beds available when the main hut is closed.

1. 1Official websitekarwendelhaus.com
2. 2Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Wikipedia (French)fr.wikipedia.org