Route: Seefelder Spitze
Area: Austria, Tyrol
Date of walk: 24th June 2025
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 2.5 miles
Ascent: 1,000 feet
Weather: Sunny and very warm
After yesterday’s low level walk (by Alpine standards) to the summit of Gschwandtkopf (4,900 feet) we decided to visit the higher mountains of the Austrian Tyrol. Seefelder Spitze stands at 7,290 feet but, thanks to the efficient Austrian transport system can be reached via a modest climb. Having caught the bus from Mösern to Seefeld we walked to the Bergbahnen Rosshütte funicular railway station, which took about 15 minutes. After an enjoyable ride we arrived at Rosshütte from where there are wonderful views of the surrounding peaks. We then caught the cable car to Seefelder Joch. Without any effort on our part we found ourselves at an altitude of 6,758 feet
We could see the neighbouring peak of Seefelder Spitze in the distance and set off along the exciting ridge which leads to it. The path was quite narrow and steep in places, but there were no difficulties. On arriving at the summit we gazed in awe at the views before deciding what to do next. We could have retraced our steps or returned via a lower route. However, the path to Härmelekopf would make for a more satisfying walk, though the route looked fearsome, especially a section across the screes
After a few moments of hesitation we set off along the path which was exposed in places. This isn’t a place to lose your footing and we were glad to have brought our walking poles. It was a thrilling section of the walk. After innumerable ups and downs and twists and turns we arrived at the scree section, which had looked to be impossible when seen from a distance. Perspective can be misleading and once we arrived the path across the scree it wasn’t at all unnerving and proved to be easier than the section leading to it
We climbed up to a col between the peaks of Härmelekopf and Reither Spitze from which there were more spectacular views. From here we followed a narrow path downhill which brought us to the Härmelekopfbahn cable car station. This took us back to Rosshütte and from there we caught the funicular railway back to Seefeld to end a fantastic walk, the shortest of the holiday but the one which will live longest in the memory
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We alight from the funicular railway at Bergbahnen Rosshütte and gaze up to our destination, Seefelder Spitze
Another leg up as we take the cable car up to Seefelder Joch, here looking back down to Rosshütte
Panorama from the cable car station on Seefelder Joch (click to view)
Mittenwald, in Germany, in the distance
We aim for the summit of Seefelder Joch, a simple short climb
Looking back to Seefelder Jochbahn
Looking down to Seefeld. The small tree clad mountain to its left is Gschwandtkopf and its small lake, where we walked yesterday. The white building top left is the Härmelekopfbahn cable car which we'll use to get back
Wimmental in the Karwendel Nature Park below
Summit of Seefelder Spitze ahead, at the end of the rocky undulating ridge
Looking back
Reither Spitze on the left. We will follow the ridge towards it but will turn right on reaching the rocky section
We continue along the narrow path to Seefelder Spitze...
Another view back along the path
Looking down into Karwendel, a nature reserve since 1928 and one of the oldest protected areas in Europe. It covers an area of 285 square miles and is home to rare wildlife such as golden eagle, ibex, three-toed woodpecker and eagle owl
Summit of Seefelder Spitze ahead
More views into Karwendel...
The pointed outline of Reither Spitze - our route will turn right below it
Summit of Seefelder Spitze
Limestone crags of Reither Spitze
From the summit of Seefelder Spitze we contemplate the way ahead, not without hesitation it must be said. The route involves a narrow path below the main ridge, and then traversing the scree slopes below Reither Spitze
Zooming in on the scree section, which looks daunting seen from this angle, but it turns to be out quite straightforward
Seefeld on the left and Rosshütte on the right
We set off along the ridge
Steel fencing provides protection from the steep drops in places
The path avoids the hardest part of the ridge by descending below it...
Spectacular scree slopes below Härmelekopf
We're aiming for the col below Reither Spitze. The path across the screes still looks a little unsettling
An exhilarating section of the walk involving many twists and turns and ups and downs...
Dramatic limestone scenery of Karwendel on our left...
The red and white waymarking shows the way ahead (not that there's much choice)
We arrive at the path across the scree
Härmelekopf
Looking back along the path, with Rosshütte beyond
We arrive at the path over the scree, which is perfectly straightforward
The Reither Kar below, Seefelder Spitze top right
One last push before we arrive at the col below Reither Spitze
From the col we can trace our route back as far as Seefelder Spitze top left
The path on the right leads up to the Härmelekopf. We follow the path on the left to the Härmelekopfbahn cable car station
The path descends at a gentle angle in the direction of Seefeld
The River Inn in the distance, Hohe Munde on its right, Seefeld below and Gschwandtkopf and its small lake
The Härmelekopfbahn cable car station comes into view
Looking back up to Seefelder Spitze before the cable car arrives
Back at Rosshütte, refreshments as we look back up to our route
All aboard the funicular back to Seefeld at the end of a fantastic walk
Sunset in Mösern at the end of the day
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