Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R44
Scharnitz » Meilerhütte
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7h45 |
19.1 km
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1833 m
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437 m
A long, truly demanding stage lies ahead. The first part involves crossing over into the Leutasch valley over the 1,495m high Hoher Sattel saddle. The second part of the stage becomes high-alpine. The climb to the Meiler hut is steep and characterised by sheer terrain, as is to be expected of the Wetterstein mountain range.
To the West of Scharnitz, follow a little roadway at the start and later head upward along a mountain path, always staying to the North above the Sattelklamm ravine. The last stretch to the Hohen Sattel pass climbs upward in the valley cleft in sharp bends. On the other side, the trail passes mainly through woodland in the Satteltal valley down to Ahrn in the Leutasch region (approx. 3h). Here, it is possible to take a detour to Gasse or Leutasch, especially if you would like to stay overnight there in order to save some energy for the steep climb to the Meiler Hut. In Ahrn, cross the Leutascher Ache river and the main road to reach the northern edge of Lehner. Here, Via Alpina follows the E4a over the Puitbach stream and along a lovely woodland path to the entrance to the Berglental valley. Once in the valley, the trail becomes quite steep and soon heads even precipitously upwards until the trail broadens out below the mighty southern face of the Mutterstein. The following stretch along the northern rim of the Leutascher Platt plateau, which is somewhat flatter, allows you to take a short breather before once again heading steeply up across boulders to the Meiler Hut at the Dreitorspitzgatterl mountain (4h 30min from Ahrn). (Christina Schwann, OeAV)
Natural and cultural heritage
Scharnitz is also called the gate to the Karwendel, as the little town lies directly at the entrance/exit of the Karwendeltal valley. Furthermore, an information point of the Karwendel Alpine Park is situated in Scharnitz. The town has a train station for the Karwendelbahn railway, one of the oldest fully electrified stretches in the alpine region (runs hourly from Munich via Garmisch and Mittenwald to Innsbruck) with 16 tunnels and viaducts. The so-called Porta Claudia is a special feature. It was established by Archduke Leopold, sovereign prince of Tyrol, in 1629 as a fortress for the protection of the northern border of Tyrol on the occasion of the Thirty Year War. After his death, his wife Claudia von Medici continued with the construction work, which was completed on 1633. Under Maria Theresia and later her son Joseph II, the fortification was extended and in 1792 completed as a fortified castle with outworks. In 1809, however, the fortress was destroyed during the Tyrolean fights for freedom. The ruins of the once mighty fortress can still be seen today on both sides of the Isar river. This stage continues on into the lovely Leutasch valley. This valley at the foot of the impressive Wetterstein mountains was never settled by the Romans. At least, there are no discoveries from that time to suggest otherwise. The first settlers only came to the Leutasch valley at the end of the 12th century. Great care and even reverence has always been shown towards the countryside, the meadows and the woodland. Anyone who looks at the valley today will undoubtedly sense this approach, as there is evidently no environmental damage worth mentioning. Next comes the climb up to the Mindelheimer Hut, right in the heart of the Wetterstein mountains. This mighty range lies between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Ehrwald, Mittenwald and the Inntal valley. The Wettestein mountains are composed of one long chain that first runs south from the Zugspitze and then turns towards the east. The Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany. Due to the huge cable car station located directly on its summit, the mountain has been completely covered in concrete and cables, but a visit is still worthwhile. (Christina Schwann, OeAV)
Useful topographic maps
Nr. 4/3 Wetterstein, Mieminger Gebiree, Ost ~ Oesterreichischer Alpenverein (1:25.000)
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Julien Trieste Monaco - 2022-08-28
Right after Ahrn, a sign gives direction for Meiler Hütte. It's not the Via Alpina but a black trail more technical. Stay on the dirt road northbound for a while, you'll eventually see the sign for another trail to Meiler Hütte. Another incredible place where to stay overnight.
POPEYE GG - 2019-02-03
Jeudi 21 juin 2018
Nous avions heureusement aménagé notre découpage des étapes, et étions partis de Gasse. Une étape relativement courte donc, mais cependant assez sportive, notamment en montant au Leutascher Platt avec des passages dans des pierriers et de quasi escalade à certains endroits.
Arrivée à la Meilerhütte sous un orage brusque et bien arrosé à ce refuge assez spartiate, avec des lavabos à l'eau froide dans un local annexe... mais sans eau. Accueil sympathique.
Automatic translation
[Google]
Thursday, June 21, 2018 We had happily arranged our cutting stages, and left Gasse. A relatively short stage therefore, but still quite sporty, including climbing to Leutascher Platt with passages in scree and almost climbing in some places. Arrival at the Meilerhütte under a sudden and well-watered storm at this quite spartan hut, with sinks in cold water in an annex ... but without water. Friendly welcome.
SPYD - 2017-08-11
Etape effectivement "exigeante". Même la montée au Hoher Sattel est assez raide le long de ce grand ravin. La pause à Ahrn est nécessaire avant d'attaquer la montée au refuge. Attention un itinéraire pour le refuge est indiqué par le chemin 817 mais pour la ViaAlpina il faut suivre le chemin 801. On ne découvre le refuge qu'à la fin ! (100m en dessous). Mais quelle situation !
Automatic translation
[Google]
Step actually "demanding". Even the climb to Hoher Sattel is quite steep along this great ravine. The break at Ahrn is necessary before attacking the climb to the refuge. Be careful, an itinerary for the refuge is indicated by the road 817 but for ViaAlpina it is necessary to follow the path 801. We only discover the refuge at the end! (100m below). But what a situation!
At Weidach, close to Gasse is a good supermarket. Spar in Scharnitz is closed. Hiking/biking trail from Scharnitz is closed due to construction work, a detour is signposted.
Coming from Scharnitz, on the main road turn right 50m to go to the Bergwelt house. €30 B&B, very friendly elderly lady. In the breakfast room see all the stuffed hunting trophies.
Elisabeth - 2012-12-24
A la sortie ouest de Scharnitz, il n'y a aucune indication : il faut prendre à gauche ! Pas de balisage non plus à Ahrn. La personne que j'ai interrogée m'a dirigée sur l'itinéraire le plus difficile, très exposé, qui mène à un col donnant accès au site de Meilerhhütte. En prime une presque via ferrata pour rejoindre le sentier normal sous le refuge... A éviter absolument si vous êtes chargé !
En arrivant à Ahrn, un balisage précis serait bienvenu.
Automatic translation
[Google]
At the western edge of Scharnitz, there is no indication it must be left! No lighting no longer Ahrn. The person I interviewed had led me on the most difficult route, very exposed, leading to a pass giving access to the site Meilerhhütte. Bonus almost via ferrata to join the normal path in the shelter ... To avoid if you're loaded! Arriving at Ahrn a specific markup would be welcome.
Alpinisten - 2012-09-24
Wer schon einige Etappen hinter sich hat, sollte diese Etappe unbedingt unterteilen. Wir fanden eine sehr nette Unterkunft in Ahrn im "Haus Bergwelt"(Familie Klotz, Tel.: +43/(0)5214/6609). Im Dorf kann man im einzigen (Bio)-Restaurant sehr gut Essen. Dort bekommt man auch den "richtigen" Einstieg zur Meilerhütte erklärt. Der Aufstieg (5h) über den weiteren Weg geht über den Weg Nr. 801, der Einstieg kann allerdings leicht verpaßt werden...
Automatic translation
[Google]
Whoever already has a few stages behind, should divide this stage necessarily. We found a very nice accommodation in Ahrn in the "house mountain" (Klotz family, Phone: 43 / (0) 5214/6609). In the village you can eat very well in single (bio) restaurant. There, you also get the "right" entry to Meilerhütte explained. The rise (5h) on the way forward is through the path No. 801, the entry may, however, be easily missed ...
robert - 2012-07-28
Attention , en venant de Scharnitz les premiers panneaux rencontrés indiquant la Meilerhutte conduisent à un itinéraire difficile (balisage noir)
Automatic translation
[Google]
Attention, from the first panels met Scharnitz indicating Meilerhütte lead to a difficult route (marked black)
Mountain Girl - 2012-04-02
Caution on the final 800 meters before the hut. Trail markers are few, and in fog or bad weather, trail may not be visible. There is some scrambling around boulders involved.
Margy - 2012-02-07
19/6/11 Meilerhutte is a warm inviting hut on a high pass. Comfortable rooms and good food. As expected, a long steep climb.
|
7h45 |
19.1 km
|
1833 m
|
437 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.