Summertime means running wild across meadows, wading through streams and standing barefoot in the grass. What else could you ask for? A lovely Rock Climbing Area with well-secured routes – and a barbecue area for the evening.
The Seefeld region – Tirol’s high plateau – is just such a land of adventure: with its two family climbing areas, Sonnenplatten Scharnitz and Flämenwandl, it offers the ideal setting for a family summer filled with games, fun and plenty of climbing routes.
However, the first things that spring to mind when you think of Seefeld have little to do with climbing: Cross Country Skiing, the Winter Olympics, upmarket hotels. All of these are true – Seefeld is a mecca for Cross Country Skiing, has twice hosted the Nordic events at the Winter Olympics and, as a member of ‘Best of the Alps’, ranks among Europe’s thirteen world-famous tourist destinations, alongside Chamonix and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Despite all these superlatives, however, Seefeld remains wonderfully down-to-earth. Stand-up paddleboarding is available on the Wildsee right in the centre of the village, whilst the Möserer See, with temperatures of up to 25 degrees, is one of the warmest swimming lakes in Tirol. Add to that an extensive network of walking and cycling Tours in the Wetterstein and Karwendel Mountains.
Text: Susa Schreiner
For families who love climbing, the rock face is naturally the main attraction. Within the climbing community, the region is particularly famous for its top spot, the ‘Chinesische Mauer’ – a hotspot for the very best of the best. But it also has a soft spot for young climbers and beginners.
None other than Heinz Zak, the extreme climber from Scharnitz, ensured climbing fun that meets the very latest standards with the complete refurbishment of the Sonnenplatten Scharnitz. A chill-out area and a slackline round off the Rock Climbing Area.
The Flämenwandl is also tailored to children, beginners and families. Situated right by the Leutascher Ache, it’s ideal on hot summer’s days: those who aren’t climbing can cool off in the water – and in the evening, you can light a fire on the stony bank.
Heinz Zak took the lead in launching the “Sonnenplatten Renovation” project and immediately added a large number of new routes to the area. At the reopening, he explained just how much passion, hard work and dedication had gone into it – and how much he enjoys watching the climbers from his balcony in the immediate neighbourhood.
Whether renovating or developing new routes, Zak attaches great importance to moderate bolt spacing and harmonious lines. He calls it ‘creating gentle approaches’ – approaches from the indoor climbing centre to the natural rock. He trains a lot in the indoor centre himself and observes the new generation of climbers. It is precisely this community, as well as children and families, that he wants to enable to make the leap to natural rock: with logical routes and bolt spacing similar to that in the indoor climbing centre.
Safety is the top priority at the Sonnenplatten Scharnitz family climbing garden – just as much as beautiful lines that are rewarding even at the lower grades.
Tip: Heinz Zak dedicated the ‘Schatzi’ (4a) route to his wife Geli – a route as harmonious and loving as the couple’s relationship. His friend Peter Janschek, who helped with the extensive restoration work, followed suit: his route is called ‘Sweety’.
As well as the climbing, it’s the time spent together that makes for a great day outdoors: chatting, laughing, sleeping on the grass, counting the shapes in the clouds. You can do all of that on the wide meadow by the Rock Climbing Area. If you fancy it, you can have a go on the slackline or cool your arms in the stone fountain – the water is safe to drink.
The region’s second family-friendly climbing area, the Flämenwandl, is situated in Leutasch – right on the banks of the Leutascher Ache. A rather odd name for a Tirolean climbing area? It’s named after its developers: the ‘Flamen’ – Dutch-speaking Belgians from Flanders. They completed a route-setting course and were determined to put what they’d learnt into practice straight away.
The face faces north, making it ideal for hot summer’s days. The Ache is a tempting spot to cool off – too shallow for swimming, but perfect for a leisurely exploration through the cool stream water.
Your visit will turn into a real day of adventure if you bring a few sausages in your cool bag: then, in the evening, the wood crackles, sparks fly, the starry sky spreads out – and the scent of bread on a stick fills the air.
Got some teenagers going through puberty on board who really don’t fancy going ashore? Innsbruck, with its pedestrianised area and its cafés and bistros, is just 20 kilometres away.
Tips & Safety
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