The Achensee region - a rocky Eldorado that offers everything a climber's heart desires, from crisp sport climbs to alpine classics. On top of this, the region with the largest lake in Tyrol also offers plenty of that Lake Garda feeling, including multisport options, aperitivo culture and dolce vita.
Insiders have long appreciated the rock structures of the two mountain superlatives Rofan and Karwendel, which present their peaks side by side at Achensee and vie for every climber with illustrious names: The Klobenjoch (2041 m) in the Rofan mountains, for example, offers climbing professionals the finest sport climbs from 1 to 4 pitches and difficulties up to 8c (French grade). But beginners will also find the best conditions for their first climbing attempts in the Rofan. The mountain neighbor Karwendel scores with such illustrious names as Sonnjoch and Lamsenspitze and also makes many a climber's heart beat a few beats faster in no time.
Sport climbers who prefer base climbing will also get their money's worth and will find rewarding routes in the small but beautiful "Gramai Wasserfall" climbing garden or on the "Bärenkopf".
Family-friendly areas in the middle of the broad Rofan alpine floor
And if you come to Achensee as a family, you can be sure that young and old alike will have a fulfilling vacation: Mountain, valley, lake - a different action is on the program every day. Passionate water rats can explore the Achensee swimming, sailing, surfing or on a stand-up board. Valley riders are drawn to the moderately ascending Karwendel valleys by bike, scooter or in a trailer.
Mountain fans get their money's worth in the Rofan with its broad plateau-like alpine pastures. The area is ideal for climbing families, as the beginner's crags are surrounded by alpine meadows with colorful alpine flowers, buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies. The approaches are easy to master without having to climb too much.
And if the sun isn't shining from the blue sky, the newly opened Atoll Achensee on the southern shore of the lake offers everything you need for an indoor family fun day on 50,000 square meters: water slides, bouldering hall, penthouse SPA and lakeside gym.
Rofan and Karwendel - two mountain superlatives
On the eastern shore of the Achensee, near the small village of Maurach, the Rofan main ridge with its imposing mountain needles and peaks rises towards the sky. The Rofan mountains are the western part of the Brandenberg Alps, a mountain range that stretches between Achensee, Inntal and the Bavarian Prealps. Its highest peak is the 2299-metre-high Hochiss in the main Rofan ridge. The Rofan with its broad plateau-like alpine pastures - on which meadow flowers vie for every observer with the most beautiful colors and mountain peaks that watch over hikers, climbers and via ferrata climbers like tin soldiers lined up in a semicircle - offers scenic impressions of the extra class - everyday life, it seems, is light years away, only the marmots provide a little action with their loud warning whistles.
The Gschöllkopf
Rofan: dream area for soft and hard rockers
While the rock structures and classic tours such as the Rebitschkante on the east face of the Rotspitze give you that Dolomite feeling, the Klobenjoch offers routes up to 8c for real "hard rockers".
Family on Tour
For families and climbing beginners, the Rofan offers three perfect boulders for first climbing attempts: Mauritzalm, Grubaplatte and Grubastiege. The routes are well bolted and therefore ideal for first attempts at lead climbing. The areas are easily accessible from the mountain station of the Rofan cable car at an altitude of 1840 meters in 5 to 30 minutes - depending on the climbing garden. The routes are easy to master, even for young climbing enthusiasts, without any difficulties or major differences in altitude.
Tip: Take a picnic blanket with you - the rocks are located next to beautiful alpine meadows and invite you to watch the clouds or take a power nap.
Refreshments
Erfurter Hütte, Dalfazalm and Mauritzalm - three huts that crown an eventful day of climbing with wonderful sun terraces and views. Whether it's a summer Spritz or a cool Helles - here you can review the day's events and make new climbing plans with a view of the Karwendel mountains.
Karwendel: From Lamsenspitze via Sonnjoch to Gramai
Even mountain pioneers such as Hermann von Barth were avowed Karwendel fans. von Barth even declared the Karwendel to be his favorite mountain range - so it is not surprising that he is responsible for several first ascents, for example on the Lamsenspitze. Even today, the Karwendel peaks are still rewarding climbing destinations with old alpine classics and new sport climbing gardens. The "Dreamland" climbing garden at the foot of the Lamsenspitze, which was set up in 2001, has 10 drilled routes that will whet your appetite for more rope lengths. The routes from grade 3a to 7a and a length of up to 50 meters are ideal for letting off some steam on the day of the ascent to the Lamsenjochhütte and getting used to climbing on the Lamsen. On the Lamsenspitze, there are many classic routes, some of which are sarnished, on walls up to 400 meters high.
Gramai waterfall climbing garden
A worthwhile destination for base climbing fans is the "Gramai Wasserfall" climbing garden, which can be easily reached on foot in 15 minutes from the Gramai Alm. A total of 10 interesting lines are waiting to be climbed in two sectors. As the routes in the right-hand sector are quite new, the rock still needs to be climbed a little - please wear a helmet and watch out for hikers and waterfall admirers!
The left sector of the climbing garden is a real treat, especially on very hot summer days: the routes start in the outflow of the Gramai waterfall. The rating is difficult, but extremely rewarding.
Tip: Great area for the whole family, the kids can play in the water, build cairns and sunbathe or take a nap on the nearby meadows. Please bring a helmet for the children.
Refreshment stop
Fantastic view from the Gramai Alm in the middle of the Karwendel valleys
After a day outdoors, the Gramai Alm invites you to stop for a bite to eat, including a barefoot course and petting zoo, where the two mini pigs Mimi and Rosi enjoy the fresh air and have their heads scratched.
Bärenkopf climbing garden
The Bärenkopf climbing garden in the Lärchenwiese district of Maurach can confidently be described as the Karwendel campsite's own climbing garden. It is just 10 minutes from the camp ground to the lower sector. The routes with names such as "Stoanpilz" and "Johanniskraut" are perfectly secured and of moderate difficulty. Great climbing as a sundowner or for climbers who dare to lead climb.
The upper sector can be reached in 5 to 10 minutes via a steep path through the dense mountain forest. The wall faces south-east, but the cool mountain forest also allows climbing in summer. The routes in the upper sector are a lot harder, but extremely rewarding and make you want something sweet - you can "snack" your way from Milky Way (5c) to Mars (6c) and Snickers (6b+).
Comfortable climbing in the lower sector of Bärenkopf
Tip: At the end of June, it's worth taking a look at the edge of the path - ripe wild strawberries are glowing on the ground everywhere. Delicious and sweet ...
Everything but climbing - the Achensee alternatives
Water, water, water! The Achensee is not only Tyrol's largest lake, it is also affectionately known as the Tyrolean Sea, and its elongated silhouette also makes it a mini fjord. At Achensee, you can do everything the water has to offer: Swimming, diving, sailing, surfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddling. The wild waters nearby are ideal for canyoning and white water rafting. By the way: Achensee is freely accessible - unlike many other bathing lakes! Which means: unpack your towel and chill out.
All water sports offers and booking information can be found at www.achensee.com.
Achensee Atoll
Since July 2018, the "Atoll" on the southern shore of Lake Achensee has been inviting you to actively relax with its extensive sports and wellness facilities on 50,000 square meters! From the penthouse SPA and infinity pool on the roof to the Lakeside GYM and water slide fun for children of all ages: Atoll is all about enjoying, relaxing, having fun and exercising. If you like, you can get your "extra" training session in the spacious bouldering hall.
Buy an evening ticket and loosen your muscles for 15 euros
Loosen up your muscles after a long day of climbing - what a heavenly idea! From 7 pm, you can enter the Penthouse SPA at Atoll Achensee for 15 euros. And then: unwind and enjoy the cozy warmth of the herbal sauna, Finnish sauna, steam bath and more.
Alm treatments
The Gramai Alm offers day spa treatments with a magnificent view of the Karwendel in a separate area from the day and terrace guests. Various packages are available and can be booked online.
Tip: Take the nostalgia bus from Pertisau to the Gramai Alm. Between Monday and Saturday, a nostalgia bus chugs back and forth at a leisurely pace four times a day.
Accommodation Quality-tested climbing accommodation
From climbing books, maps and topos to information such as the daily weather forecast and contact persons in the hotel who know the climbing area and climb themselves, to a sportsman's breakfast with fruit and muesli - climbers' accommodation has passed the quality criteria and welcomes climbers who have passed the test!
Gramai Alm
The Apengasthof Gramai Alm offers double rooms, family rooms, a dumpling hut (for up to 7 people) and a tree chalet to suit every taste and budget. From here you can easily reach Sonnjoch, Gramai waterfall and the Lamsenjoch hut in 2 hours. Also ideal for families with different hobbies, where all family members can set off in a star shape in the morning and meet up again in the evening to share their experiences.
Lamsenjochhütte
The Lamsenjochhütte is ideal for all climbers who want to "let off steam" on the steep walls of the Lamsenspitze.
Pertisau and Maurach
Hotels, guesthouses, vacation apartments. From here you can walk to the Achensee. The Gramai can be reached via a toll road by car, public bus or bicycle (free of charge).
How to get there
Take the train to Jenbach. Change here to the regional bus. This is free of charge if you show the driver a reservation confirmation from your accommodation in one of the Achensee resorts.
With the AchenseeCard - free use of the regional bus. "Guests from Achenkirch, Maurach, Pertisau and Steinberge travel free of charge on the public buses in the Achensee region (except to Wiesing and Jenbach) if you show the AchenseeCard.
Toll-free access by car from Germany via Tegernsee or Lenggries. Otherwise via highway A1 exit Wiesing/Zillertal.
Total areas
9 sport climbing gardens, 4 multi-pitch areas, 5 family climbing areas, 8 via ferratas and 1 climbing park (high ropes course)
Best time of year
From April to November - in midsummer the areas in the Rofan are ideal as they are at an altitude of over 1800 meters.
Family friendliness
Is written in capital letters at Achensee - both at many climbing gardens and the entire supporting program that the Achensee region offers.
Further information about the region can be found at www.achensee.com.
