The Karwendel is the largest nature park in Austria and one of the wildest ranges in the Northern Limestone Alps. Towering rock walls, remote valleys and near-untouched nature make it a haven for hikers seeking solitude, far from the crowds of more famous alpine resorts.

The landscape unfolds as four parallel mountain chains running east to west, cut through by deep river valleys. To the north rise sheer limestone walls up to 1,000 meters high, most famously the Laliderer Wände, while the southern slopes are gentler, carved by ancient glaciers into broad cirques. The Isar river springs from the heart of these mountains, forming one of Central Europe's last wild rivers.

Highlights:

• Birkkarspitze (2,749 m) — the highest peak in the Karwendel, a demanding climb for experienced hikers
• Laliderer Wände — legendary limestone cliffs beloved by climbers worldwide
• Nordkette — the most accessible ridge, right above Innsbruck, reachable by cable car
• Achensee — Tyrol's largest lake, bordering the range's eastern edge

Practical info:

• Best time: June-September — full hiking season, snow lingers until late spring
• Base towns: Innsbruck, Mittenwald, Scharnitz, Pertisau
• Trail difficulty: from easy valley walks in the Hinterautal to demanding via ferratas and climbing routes
• Getting there: train or car to Innsbruck or Mittenwald, then regional buses

Curious fact: a tiny glacier still survives beneath the Eiskarlspitze — one of the last remnants of the Ice Age in this part of the Alps.