First, stretch out your fingers, then dip your aching feet into the cool water – or better still, just jump right in. That’s how climbing and swimming work in Tirol.
You can combine lots of different sports: Cross Country Skiing and target shooting is called biathlon. Running, swimming and Cycling is called a triathlon. Climbing and cliff jumping is called deep water soloing. But true life pros know: work comes first, then pleasure. If the ‘work’ itself is already a pleasure, so much the better – off to climb & swim! We recommend spots in Climbers Paradise Tirol where rock and water come together perfectly.
The name alone says it all when it comes to everything you need for a great ‘climb & swim’ experience. The area around the Steinseehütte behind Starkenbach in the Tirolean Oberland is a gem for climbers: whether it’s an alpine classic on the spectacular Spiehlerturm (2,550 m), relaxed sport climbing at Schneekarle or the Steinsee Via Ferrata/Iron Way (B/C) – you certainly shouldn’t miss out on a dip in the ice-cold Steinsee afterwards.
The routes up here are perfect for alpine beginners and are generally not too difficult. You do have to work your way up to the area, though: a good two-hour access with a heavy climbing rucksack until you reach the Steinseehütte – and then a little further still to the crags. The lake itself is a good half an hour’s walk above the Mountain Lodge/Hut. The reward: a magnificent atmosphere, soothing tranquillity and relative solitude.
As the name suggests, the Kraftwerkswandl demands one thing above all else: strength – and good footwear. From grade 7 onwards, there are plenty of great routes here, though there are also a few good, easier ones here and there. You really must climb ‘Carpe diem’ (7a) and then put the principle into practice straight away – in other words: off into the water!
To cool off after a session, you’re spoilt for choice: off into the river, or perhaps the lake? Even from the belay stations, you can look down on the beautiful River Lech, which flows through the valley not far from the crag – a few metres upstream or downstream, there are plenty of lovely gravel banks where you can take a dip. For those who’d rather swim a few distances on their backs in calm water, we recommend the nearby Lake Uris above Reutte (about 10 minutes by car).
Lake Achensee is flanked by the Karwendel Mountains to the west and the Rofan range to the east – so there are plenty of climbing opportunities on all sides of the lake, although you always have to venture a little way away from the lake. The exception is the Achenseehof Rock Climbing Area, which is more suited to children but is situated close to the shore.
The more rewarding Finishing Points are found high above the lake, which also makes them climbable in summer: the Klobenjoch with its epic Multi-Pitch Climbing, ‘Paradies’ with its – yes, truly – paradisiacal sport climbing on the steep Lochfels, and the Rotspitze with its photogenic view down onto the lake. Whichever Finishing Point you choose: unless you spend the night at the Erfurter Mountain Lodge/Hut, all routes lead back down to the Achensee – or better still, straight into the Achensee.
There are around 40 routes at the Adolari Rock Climbing Area, just over a kilometre from Lake Pillersee. Or you can cool off in the nearby Teufelsklamm gorge, which you can hike to directly from the Rock Climbing Area – the small, cool mountain stream is sure to cool your feet. The Wiesensee Rock Climbing Area in the Steinberge, on the other hand, is literally ‘a stone’s throw’ from the lake of the same name: swim & climb in its purest form!
It’s hard to describe it any better than in the introduction to the article in the climbing magazine LIMIT #2: ‘What does Homo Bergensis need to be happy? Just mountains, really, don’t they? If that’s the case, then mountain folk high above Ehrwald need to be careful not to collapse from an overdose of happiness. Because there’s more of everything there: more mountain lakes, more vibrant colours, more new climbing routes.”
The multi-pitch areas of Seebenwände, Wampeter Schrofen, Sonnenspitze and the Grünstein North Face in the Tirolean Zugspitz Arena come pretty close to that: With the Seebensee and the Drachensee, there are two mountain lakes in the immediate vicinity of the climbing areas – so a ‘cool dip’ is right on the way home. Added to this are the culinary delights at the Coburger Mountain Lodge/Hut, which, according to the *Süddeutsche Zeitung*, serves up the best “Tyrolean Gröstl in the world”.
Anyone who has ever climbed the south face of the Rote Flüh in the Tannheimer Valley knows that the view of the deep turquoise Haldensee is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it’s always in view and you can’t wait to take the plunge into the cold water; at the same time, on hot days, it makes you long to dive in straight away.
But there are plenty of other distractions here: a good dozen multi-pitch routes of really high quality await repeat climbers, and the range of difficulty levels is very well balanced. Both leisure climbers, with the ‘old south face’, and professional climbers, with routes rated Grade 9., will find attractive lines here. Once back down in the valley, after a short drive to Haldensee lido, you can finally plunge into the longed-for, crystal-clear lake water.
Tips & Safety
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