Karwendel

Tyrol and Bavaria share a treasure that impresses with some superlatives. 125 peaks that rise over 2,000 meters high are not bad at all. But that's just the beginning. Both the Tyrolean and Bavarian parts of the Karwendel are under nature protection. The Tyrolean Karwendel Alpine Park is one of the largest and also one of the oldest nature reserves in the Eastern Alps. The region has a total of six landscape protection areas, three nature reserves, and two quiet zones.

Perfect conditions for endangered species such as the re-introduced ibex or the "king of the skies" - the golden eagle. These rare companions can be observed in the wild in the Karwendel. Herds of chamois also promise an impressive natural spectacle.

The company of these animals makes every hike an unforgettable experience. Numerous hiking trails make the Karwendel region a popular destination for mountain enthusiasts as well as families with children.
With a total of 26 mountain huts, most of which are run by alpine clubs, the diligent hiker will surely find a well-deserved place to rest.

The existence of two significant long-distance hiking trails also shows that the Karwendel is marked with international hiking boot prints. The famous Via Alpina, a cross-border long-distance hiking trail that leads from Trieste to Monaco, runs along part of the limestone Alps. And the long-distance hiking trail from Munich to Venice, with an impressive 550 kilometers, crosses the region.

Another way to get active is climbing. The so-called Karwendelbahn - a cable car that runs from Mittenwald to Karwendelgrube - offers a good starting point for this. From the mountain station, visitors can embark on a high-ranking adventure, in the truest sense of the word. The Mittenwalder Klettersteig may not be one of the most difficult challenges, but with its system of ladders and wire rope safety devices, it commands respect from climbers. Therefore, only those who are conditioned and free from fear of heights should tread here. However, you can expect a magnificent view - for example over Lake Achensee.

The Karwendel region can also be explored by mountain bike or on idyllic Nordic walking trails.

A fixed point for summer fun is Lake Achensee. Sailors, surfers, and divers frolic on Tyrol's largest lake - a crystal-clear mountain lake. But there is also plenty of action on land and in the air, for example when golfing and paragliding. A wet adventure awaits visitors in the Wolfsklamm near Stans: roaring waterfalls and dizzying wooden walkways allow you to experience the power of nature up close.

Families will enjoy a trip to one of possibly the oldest alpine villages in Europe - the Engalm near Vomp. Happy grazing cows are the wealth of this largest dairy farm in the country. And because the milk is processed on-site, the show dairy, famous for its "Enger Bergkäse," also attracts cheese lovers magnetically.

A superlative tip to conclude: The largest silver mine in medieval Europe keeps its doors open for visitors in Schwaz. With a mine train, you can descend into the depths of the mountain, where you can escape both the heat and the cold at a constant temperature of 12 degrees Celsius.

As you can see, variety is like a second name for the Karwendel.