Lake Achensee – also called the “Fjord of the Alps” – is a popular destination for many hikers and mountaineers. Around it there are several peaks from which you have a wonderful view of the turquoise lake – which from the top looks very much like a fjord. The tour to the Seekarspitze, which is located on the western shore, is popular and offers at the summit much more than just a great view to the Achensee.
Tour dates
- Start and end point: Achenkirch car park
- Duration / walking time: 5 hours
- Path length: 11 km
- Verticals meters 1.100 hm
- Difficulty: Medium
- Refreshment stop(s): Seekaralm (mid May to mid October)
Tour description
The hike to the Seekarspitze has been on my “summit list” for quite some time. On the one hand, because the tour is varied and a bit demanding. And on the other hand, because the mountain lures with a great view. From Munich we are in about 1.5 hours at the Achensee, which is just behind the Austrian border.
Tip: On the car trip to the Achensee you drive along the beautiful Sylvensteinspeicher. Here it is worth making a short stop to enjoy the view of the reservoir and the Karwendel mountains.
We park our car at the chargeable car park in Achenkirch, where the tour also starts directly. First we pass the river before we turn onto the wide forest road. Even if the path is not very spectacular at first, it is steep. However, we can branch off from the forest road again and again onto narrower hiking trails, which are much more enjoyable and lead us through the shady forest – as long as we follow the signposts towards the Seekaralm we are on the right track. During the hike we see our destination of the day flashing out again and again – the rocky and steep ridge of the Seekarspitze.
High quality hiking backpacks in various sizes and colors can be found at Tatonka.
After about 1.5 hours we reach the Seekaralm, which is managed during the summer months – so half of the ascent is done. From the alp it gets much steeper, in front of us are about 500 s of altitude difference on 1.5 kilos.
Tip: In the summer months the Seekaralm is run by farmers, cows graze on the pasture and you can also stop for a bite to eat. Here you can get really tasty Kaiserschmarrn (fluffy and sugared pancake with raisins) and Skiwasser (translated: ski water), which you should not miss!
From the Alm we follow the signs and markings. First we walk across green meadows, then we pass the mountain pines and then we walk directly on the edge of the ‚pyramid‘ to the cross on the summit. From here the path is steep and exposed, a few passages demand some climbing skills. It’s best to stop and let your eyes wander – it’s worth it! In doing so, we also realize how steep the path we have travelled so far really is.
After about 3 hours we have reached our destination: We are standing at the summit cross of the Seekarspitze and look down to the Achensee, which once again shows itself from its most beautiful side. Even if it is cloudy, this does not harm the mood, quite the contrary. It is totally quiet, as there are only a few other hikers on the way and so we can enjoy this idyll for quite a while.
From the summit we have a great 360 degree view: In the east to the Rofan mountains (e.g. Guffert, Unnütz) and in the west to the Karwendel mountains (e.g. Montscheinspitze, Sonnjoch). With this panorama, the snack tastes twice as good!
After we have enjoyed the view and our snack, we descend again on the same path, but of course we treat ourselves to a cool drink at the Seekaralm and don’t miss the chance to share a Kaiserschmarrn – after the steep ascent and descent we definitely deserve it!
Alternative descent routes
If you want you can extend the tour either by (1) crossing the ridge to the Seebergspitze or (2) walking part of the ridge.
(1) If you have a lot of time and stamina, you can hike along the ridge further south to the Seebergspitze. For this ridge hike you should be sure-footed and free from vertigo. From the summit you descend to the Pasillalm, where you follow the signs to Achenkirch. Here you pass the Seekaralm again. For this two-summit tour you need about 1 hour from the peak of the Seekarspitze.
(2) If you don’t want to climb the second summit anymore, you still don’t have to miss the ridge walk and can extend your hike as a round trip. To do so, follow the ridge path for about 45 minutes and then follow the signpost to the right, heading west. The path leads you through a beautiful larch forest towards Pasillalm. From here you follow the signs further towards Achenkirch and pass the Seekaralm.
How about another tour tip? Hike to the Rote Flüh – Via the Gimpelhaus to the Rote Flüh (2,108 m) in the Tannheimer Tal.
