A climbing holiday at Lake Achensee means: Italian ‘dolce vita’ meets a Scandinavian fjord atmosphere, spiced with a generous dash of that Canadian national park vibe.
Tirol’s largest lake stretches out across its deep bed, appearing to its awestruck viewers in some places like a Norwegian fjord with steep, towering Rock Faces, and in others like a Caribbean dream with turquoise waters. And when you’re driving along the road to Pertisau, for a brief moment you might imagine yourself at Lake Garda, with its many tunnels, where you can catch a glimpse of the water time and again. Colourful sails, surfers and the kites of the kiters perfectly round off the typical ‘lake vibe’. Oh yes, there’s a bit of a national park atmosphere, reminiscent of Canada, in the Karwendel valleys around the lake. The only things missing are the bears; instead, the marmots whistle and the four-legged summer visitors moo cheerfully in greeting.
There are two mountain ranges available for climbing: the Rofan Mountains and the Karwendel Mountains. The range of outdoor activities – alongside climbing – is diverse at Tirol’s largest lake: water sports, Mountain biking, hiking, yoga and wellness. The range of climbing offers is also extensive: beginners can complete registration on the spot for climbing courses for children and adults. Those looking to take it easy will appreciate the easy routes, whilst ambitious climbers will find plenty to enjoy at the‘Klobenjoch’ Rock Climbing Area, for example, and fans of alpine climbing can choose from a wide range of routes, from short to very long. Let the fun begin – Lake Achensee is the perfect natural setting for it.
The Rofan Mountains are a real feast for the eyes, with their wide alpine meadows and steep, picturesque peaks, which, like tin soldiers, form a sort of arena and thus a natural stage.
The high plateau is ideal for families with young children – accordingly, many easy Rock Climbing Areas have been set up here, which are sure to make not only the eyes of young climbing novices light up. Adult beginners, too, have fantastic opportunities at the Mauritzalm, Grubaplatte and Grubastiege, fantastic opportunities to stroll from crag to crag, tackle a few routes, perhaps even have a go at leading a climb, and spend the rest of the time lying on the meadow, soaking up the scent of the alpine herbs. The slightly higher-altitude Klobenjoch offers, above all, a veritable paradise of challenges for experienced climbers up to the upper 10. grade, where they can tinker, test their skills and complete the climbs. The Rotspitz, on the other hand, has alpinists amongst the climbers raving about it, with such beautiful routes and a magnificent view.
Also in the Rofan Mountains is the Grauwand Rock Climbing Area: 35 routes on superb limestone, up to 30 metres high, south-facing and with grades ranging from 6a to 8a – definitely worth a visit. The routes were completely refurbished and thoroughly cleaned in the summer of 2021. Above all, the rock quality and the atmosphere here in the Rofan are hard to beat. The Rock Climbing Area can be reached by walking about 1.5 kilometres back downhill from the Rofanbahn top station. You can, of course, walk there as well.
Tip: At the Achensee Welcome Centre (part of the ‘Atoll Achensee’ wellness centre), you can pick up a free climbing map as well as selected guidebooks for the areas.
Gramai – a touch of Canada surrounds the three Karwendel valleys, which have carved their way deep into the mountain landscape and where the peaks rise majestically into the sky. The Starting Point for all kinds of climbing adventures is the car park at the Gramai Alpine Pasture: Sport climbing, short or longer multi-pitch routes, or perhaps a Classic alpine tour? On hot summer’s days, a visit to the ‘Gramai Wasserfall’ Rock Climbing Area is highly recommended; it offers two sectors with interesting routes. The routes are technically challenging. The waterfall acts as a natural air-conditioning system and, with its fine mist, provides a pleasant coolness on the skin. A dip in the cool water and a hearty snack are the perfect way to round off a day’s summer climbing holiday.
The south face of the Sonnjoch, with its wall rising to a height of 1,100 metres, has so much more to offer: countless short Multi-Pitch Climbing routes and long Multi-Pitch tours are just waiting to be conquered. For local climbers, the ‘Herzschlag der Leidenschaft’ route is one of the real highlights: 32 pitches, 1,700 metres of climbing.
Lake Achensee is not only a Starting Point but also a meeting place for all mountain and water sports enthusiasts, cyclists and climbers. People gather on one of the many terraces overlooking the lake to enjoy the good life. If you need any more information or climbing kit, pop into the ‘Atoll Achensee’ shop and then treat yourself to a sundowner and a pizza on the ‘Atoll Achensee’ terrace. Anyone climbing in Gramai simply must stop off at the Alpine Pasture – it’s just too lovely not to. Find out more here: Culinary Experience overview.
Mountain biking, hiking, swimming, canoeing, sailing, surfing, kitesurfing or practising yoga, cruising across the lake on the excursion steamer, or soothing your muscles in the spacious ‘Atoll Achensee’ wellness area with the help of the sauna’s heat. The possibilities are virtually endless – and hopefully so is your holiday! By the way: ‘Atoll Achensee’ isn’t just a wellness hub, but also the central point of contact for any queries regarding your stay at Lake Achensee.
There are numerous climbing and via ferrata camps on offer at Lake Achensee – for adults, but above all for children and teenagers.
Camping, Holiday Apartment, guesthouses, hotels, luxury wellness hotels – the range of accommodation options is as varied as the sports and outdoor activities on offer. The Hotel St. Georg zum See is particularly well-suited to climbers (climbing-certified).
Partner establishments for the camp offers are the Naturhotel Alpenblick and the Hotel-Café-Restaurant Klingler – which, incidentally, is also a popular meeting place after sporting activities.
Tips & Safety
Would you like to know more about climbing safety? Click here for our safety tips.
