Gleirschklamm Gorge of Karwendel

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 10.2 miles / 16.4 km
Duration: Full day

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Overview: The Gleirschklamm gorge is located in the beautiful Karwendel Alpine Park to the east of Scharnitz, a village which is situated about 16 km north of Innsbruck, Austria. Experience a really romantic gorge and a beautiful landscape along the Isar River.

The moderate round trip from Scharnitz to Gleirschklamm gorge is about 17 km, gaining about 290 m in elevation.

Are you spending holiday in Scharnitz or somewhere nearby Innsbruck or Garmisch-Partenkirchen and looking for a beautiful and not difficult hiking trip covering low altitudes? Then, this is a hike just for you.

Basically, the hike can be divided into sections as the following: from Scharnitz to Scharnitzer Alm, from Scharnitzer Alm to Gleirschklamm and from Gleirschklamm back to the trailhead. It generally takes 8 hours for average hikers to complete the round trip, allowing a reasonable time for making refreshment stops.

Tips: Alternatives. You may shorten the trip by dropping POI 5. Upon returning to POI 2 (Scharnitzer Alm), follow the direct trail to Scharnitz (the round trip will be about 15.5 km or 7 hours).

When arriving with your car to the church of Scharnitz, turn towards Karwendel valley and the Isar river till you come to public parking lots. This will be your trailhead.

While hiking in the gorge, you have to be sure of possessing surefootedness and proper footwear. The gorge is not particularly difficult in good weather. However, it is potentially dangerous for children. The Gleirschklamm gorge may not be suitable to walk in high water or bad weather.

Points of Interest

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Scharnitz

Make Scharnitz, Austria (at the border with Germany) your trailhead.

The next POI is about 2.2 km (or 46 minutes) distant. Starting at the church of Scharnitz, walk towards the Karwendel valleys to the east. Hike over the bridge and take the road into the valley. Beyond the car park, keep walking about 200 m along the road. Follow the right-hand road at the next junction and watch for signs to the Hinterauftal, the Gleierschklamm and the Isarsteig. Follow the signs for the Nederweg till you come to the chalet of Scharnitzer Alm.

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Scharnitzer Alm

If you like, have small refreshment here, such as cold beer served.

The next POI is about 2.6 km (or 1:08 hour) distant. Continue along the scenic route above the river Isar. The road eventually crosses a bridge from where you can see the entrance to the Gleirschklamm gorge.

Beyond Scharnitzer Alm, hiking to the gorge 2 Photo

Views on mountains nearby of Scharnitzer Alm Photo

Beyond Scharnitzer Alm, hiking to the gorge 1 Photo

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Gleirschklamm Start

Get ready for the highlight of the trip – hiking up through the gorge.

The next POI is about 2.6 km (or 1:08 hour) distant. Most of the route through the gorge takes place on narrow scree or earth paths, or on wooden boards or rock passages. Enjoy the spectacular scenery with wonderful views up and down. For approximately 1 hour, admire wonderful landscape of flowing water and rocks.

Gleirschklamm gorge - water detail Photo

The trail is snaking up through the romantic landscape of the gorge Photo

Turquoise, clear water of the gorge Photo

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Gleirschklamm End

Cross the creek of Gleirschbach, get to the opposite side of the gorge and hike till you come back to POI 3. Stop for refreshment here.

First, return back to the chalet of Scharnitzer Alm (POI 2) which is 2.4 km (or 41 minutes).

Then, continue walking for about 200 m and then turn left uphill. The next POI is about 2.2 km (or 1:20 hour) distant. Walk along this trail till you see a gorge for a small instant in the distance – Teufelslochklamm.

Gleirschklamm gorge. Viewed from above, while completing the loop back towards the POI 3. Photo

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Teufelslochklamm

The trail crosses the gorge of Teufelslochklamm (Devil’s hole gorge) just for a short time. It is very easy not to be aware of seeing the gorge at all. If you are careful enough you will notice some remarkable cliffs in the distance while crossing the gorge.

The trailhead is about 2.5 km (or 51 minutes) distant. Continue hiking through the forest till you come back to your trailhead.