pleisenhuette
Pleisenhütte Scharnitz (1,757 m) – Karwendel Hike
Pleisenhütte in the Karwendel at 1,757 m: ascent from Scharnitz 2.5–3 h, Pleisenspitze 2,569 m as a bonus. Open June–October. 25 min from Wilderer Chalets.
June 6, 2026 · 7 min read
Some huts are popular because they're quick to reach. Others because they look beautiful in a photo. The Pleisenhütte at 1,757 metres in the Karwendel above Scharnitz works differently: it sits so sunny that seven hours of sunshine are possible even on the shortest day of the year, it has been run by the Gaugg family since 1954 – and it's reachable from the Wilderer Chalets in Leutasch in 25 minutes by car. From there starts an endurance-testing but technically relaxed day tour: 7 kilometres, 820 metres of altitude, 2.5 to 3 hours of ascent.
What is the Pleisenhütte?
The Pleisenhütte is a privately run alpine hut in the Karwendel, above Scharnitz. Built in 1953/54 by the legendary “Pleisentoni” Toni Gaugg – and run for over 25 years now by his son Siggi Gaugg. At 1,757 metres it sits on a sunny plateau at the foot of the Pleisenspitze (2,569 m), with a panoramic view from the Lechtaler Alpen across the Mieminger Kette to the Hohe Munde and into the Wettersteingebirge. A hiking destination in summer, a ski-touring and tobogganing destination in winter.
Getting from the Wilderer Chalets to the Hinterautal car park
From the Wilderer Chalets in Leutasch-Weidach you drive via Mittenwald and the Mittenwald border crossing to Scharnitz. Driving time about 25 minutes. In the village you turn into Hinterautalstraße and follow the signs for “Hinterautal”. Right after the Isar bridge the road for cars ends at the paid P3 Schraffelbrücke car park. If it's full: there's another hiking car park 500 metres further down the valley. Open the route with turn-by-turn navigation in Google Maps ↗.
The hike – from the Hinterautal car park to the Pleisenhütte
From the car park you first follow the asphalted forest road along the Isar. After a short stretch the actual ascent path branches off to the right – signposted to the Pleisenhütte. Over wide forest roads and trail short-cuts you wind your way uphill in switchbacks. Moderately demanding, technically straightforward, no exposed sections – but a tough 820 metres of altitude that are best tackled early in the morning in the summer heat.
- Distance: approx. 7 km one way (14 km there and back)
- Altitude: 820 m of ascent
- Walking time: 2.5–3 h up, 2–2.5 h down
- Difficulty: moderately demanding
- Solid mountain boots + 1.5 l of water per person (in summer)
- No technical sections, no fixed ropes
- Waymarking: well signposted throughout (trail no. 213/261)
Hiking route with altitude profile
Pleisenspitze (2,569 m) – the summit as a bonus
If you want more: from the Pleisenhütte the path leads in another 2 hours to the Pleisenspitze at 2,569 metres – one of the most beautiful viewpoint summits in the southern Karwendel. The terrain turns rugged, scree and mountain pines, narrow paths. Surefootedness required, but no exposed sections. Total tour from the car park: around 1,600 metres of altitude, 8 hours. Anyone doing it as a two-day tour – an evening overnight at the hut, the summit the next morning – has the far more relaxed option and the better light for the view.
Season & opening times 2026
- Early summer season: 6–30 June, Wednesday to Sunday, 8am–10pm
- Main summer season: 1 July – 30 September, daily 8am–10pm
- Autumn: October, weather dependent
- Winter: mid-December – Easter, at weekends (tobogganing + ski touring)
- Reservation: +43 660 346 2100
- 35 sleeping places + Kuschelhütte for 2–8 people
- Half board available, homemade Tyrolean cuisine
Practical info for your visit
- Location: Karwendel range, 1,757 m, above Scharnitz
- Address: 6108 Scharnitz, Karwendeltal
- Phone: +43 660 346 2100
- Host: the Gaugg family (since 1953/54)
- Entry: free – food and overnight stays are charged
- P3 Schraffelbrücke car park: paid
- Ascent: 7 km, 820 m of altitude, 2.5–3 h
- Difficulty: moderately demanding
- Dogs: allowed, also on the terrace
- Pleisenspitze (2,569 m) as a bonus: another 2 h from the hut
- Overnight: 35 sleeping places + Kuschelhütte, reservation recommended
- Drive from the Wilderer Chalets: approx. 25 min via Mittenwald
Frequently asked questions about the Pleisenhütte
- How much does entry to the Pleisenhütte cost?
- The Pleisenhütte is freely accessible – no entry fee. You only pay for what you eat, drink, or for an overnight stay. The P3 Schraffelbrücke car park in the Hinterautal near Scharnitz is paid.
- How long is the ascent to the Pleisenhütte?
- From the P3 Schraffelbrücke car park it's 2.5 to 3 hours of ascent over around 7 kilometres and 820 metres of altitude. The descent takes 2 to 2.5 hours. Moderately demanding, technically straightforward – solid mountain boots and enough water are all you need.
- When is the Pleisenhütte open in 2026?
- Summer: 6 to 30 June Wednesday to Sunday, from 1 July to 30 September daily, each day 8am–10pm. Winter: mid-December to Easter at weekends – ideal for tobogganing and ski touring. Reservation recommended on +43 660 346 2100.
- Which car park is the right one for the Pleisenhütte?
- The P3 Schraffelbrücke car park in the Hinterautal near Scharnitz, right after the Isar bridge. Paid. If it's full: there's another hiking car park 500 metres further down the valley. By train: Scharnitz station, around 30 minutes on foot to the car park or a taxi ride.
- Can you stay overnight at the Pleisenhütte?
- Yes. 35 sleeping places in shared and family rooms, plus the smaller Kuschelhütte for 2 to 8 people. Half board possible, hut breakfast included. Reservation strongly recommended – especially for July/August weekends and for the two-day tour including the Pleisenspitze.
- Is the tour to the Pleisenhütte doable with children?
- Yes, for hiking-experienced children from about 8 years old. The path is wide, technically straightforward and without exposed sections – but it has 820 metres of altitude and 2.5–3 hours of ascent. With younger children we recommend the easier alpine huts around Leutasch – see our Alpine huts Leutasch-Seefeld guide.
- Are dogs allowed at the Pleisenhütte?
- Yes, dogs are welcome, also on the terrace. Water is provided for them. If staying overnight with a dog, arrange it in advance with the host family – there are restricted rules in the sleeping area. For long hikes with a dog in Leutasch, see our Hiking with a dog in Leutasch guide.
- How far is the Pleisenhütte from the Wilderer Chalets?
- By car around 25 minutes from the Wilderer Chalets in Leutasch-Weidach to the P3 Schraffelbrücke car park in Scharnitz – via Mittenwald and the Mittenwald border crossing. Then 2.5–3 h of ascent. Easily done as a day tour, more relaxed as a two-day tour with an overnight stay at the hut.
From the Wilderer Chalets to the Pleisenhütte
The tour is a classic day trip from our Wilderer Chalets in Leutasch-Weidach. Set off in the morning, about 25 min by car via Mittenwald to Scharnitz, park at the P3 Schraffelbrücke car park, start the ascent. Lunch break at the Pleisenhütte – Tyrolean dumplings, homemade pastries, a glass of apple spritzer in the sun. Descent in 2 hours, back in your own chalet in the evening. If you want it more relaxed: an overnight stay at the hut, the next day the bonus ascent to the Pleisenspitze (2,569 m), and back to the chalet in the afternoon.
The Pleisenhütte is one of those huts where you sit up top, squint into the sun and think: this is exactly what the effort was for. Seven hours of sunshine even on the shortest day of the year – that's statistically proven.
— Wilderer Chalets Team
Anyone with the Karwendel in mind can't get past the Pleisenhütte. It's not the fastest, not the most spectacular – but one of the huts you come back to. The Gaugg family since 1954, seven hours of sunshine even in winter, the Pleisenspitze as a bonus. And the Wilderer Chalets as a base lie 25 minutes away – close enough for a day tour, relaxed enough to sit in your own living room again in the evening.
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