Karwendel Tour (1,800m)

Scharnitz - Karwendeltal - Hochalmsattel - Kleiner Ahornboden - Johannestal - Risstal - Plumsjoch - Gernalm - Pertisau - Achensee - Maurach - Eben - Wiesing - Jenbach - Scharnitz
Length: 70 km; Time: 8 hours
Physical exertion: Very difficult

Challenging trails and gravel roads run through the Karwendel, a mountain range of the Northern Limestone Alps. A highlight among the bike tours for experienced adventurers and skilled technicians is the Karwendel tour with many ascents, some switchbacks, and a colorful variety of alpine nature.

The first pedal stroke starts from the train station in Scharnitz to the church, where it then continues past the parking lot to the turnoff to the Karwendelhaus. On a well-maintained forest road, you reach the Karwendelhaus, a mountain hut with rooms and a dormitory. In the washrooms, you can wash away the strains of the ride, and in the inn, a strengthening snack is already waiting. But they also take care of the well-being of the bicycles here, offering spare parts and repair options.

Next stage after the rest: A short ascent to the Hochalmsattel - with more than 1,800 meters the highest point of the tour - followed by a longer descent to the Kleiner Ahornboden.
It is the local natural mountain maple stand that has given this idyllic spot its fitting name. The Kleiner Ahornboden is part of a nature reserve and welcomes exhausted bikers with an alpine meadow for a rest and a fountain for the necessary refreshment.

On a good forest road, the further path leads us through the Johannestal and into the Risstal. You just have to follow the signs of the "Bike Trail Tirol". Soon after, the next challenge awaits - the demanding ascent to the Plumsjochhütte at 1,630 meters above sea level. Over the Plumssattel, we drive on a very steep forest path with switchbacks and loosely piled gravel to the Gernalm. On this section of the route, you must pay special attention to hikers who frolic here in fine weather. Skill and concentration are a must for the difficult single trail. At times, it is also recommended to simply get off and push. Safety is certainly anything but a shame.

The onward journey continues on an asphalt road to Pertisau. If you ever wanted to know where the famous Tyrolean shale oil is produced - this is the place. Pertisau is the home of the miracle cure for skin problems and the treatment of bruises and rheumatism. A small bottle for the road can't hurt.

Then continue cycling through the village until you reach the shore of Lake Achensee. The water, which reaches almost drinking water level, rarely exceeds 20 degrees in temperature and is a popular spot for sailors and surfers. Even an excursion boat makes its rounds here and shows you the most beautiful spots of this important resting and wintering place for waterfowl such as the little grebe, the pochard, or the water rail.

Then we continue our journey along Lake Achensee. The cycle path towards Maurach finally takes us to the end of the lake. Now we switch to the Via Bavarica Tyrolensis, a long-distance cycle path that leads from Bavaria to Tyrol. The stage leads us through Maurach to Eben, where you can pay homage to Notburga von Rattenberg, a Tyrolean folk saint. Her remains rest, clothed in noble attire, in the pilgrimage church of St. Notburga, and the museum next door is dedicated to the life of the Good Soul, who cared for the poor, sick, and disabled throughout her life.

We continue to Wiesing on a downhill forest road. Continue to follow the signs of the Bavarica Tyrolensis cycle path. The next stretch of the route takes us under the motorway to the bridge over the Inn, where the Bavarica cycle path finally ends and we switch to the Inn cycle path towards Innsbruck. Then take the turnoff to the center of Jenbach, and we have reached our destination. From Jenbach train station, take the train back to Scharnitz and change trains in Innsbruck.
However, before you depart, take some time to inspect the train station more closely. With its three different track gauges, it is a special feature among train stations. In addition to the ordinary ÖBB trains, nostalgic narrow-gauge locomotives of the Achensee Railway and the Zillertal Railway also rattle along the tracks from time to time.