Overview
Arnplattenspitze as seen from Große Arnspitze
Arnplattenspitze, sometimes also called Hintere Arnspitze, is a bold looking rock spire at the southern end of the highest parts of Arnspitzen ridge. This ridge separates Leutasch valley from Scharnitz valley and is itself separated by these valleys from Wetterstein and Karwendel mountains. Thus leading a sort of “lonely life”, Arnspitzen ridge attracts attention.
Nearly every mountain has its “soft side”, offering an easy normal route for “normal” mountaineers. This, too, is the case with the south side of Arnplattenspitze. Despite of the steep and bold appearance of the summit rock, a system of gullys, chutes, cracks ledges and short rock faces with excellent holds enables an easy and enjoyable short climb to the summit cross. This last part requires rock scrambling with some UIAA grade I + to II – moves on the normal route and some UIAA grade II moves on the north side when doing the traverse to Große Arnspitze.
This is why Arnplattenspitze is an often visited mountain, despite of its bold appearance. Situated between Mittlere Arnspitze to the north and the much lower Weißlehnkopf, Arnplattenspitze is a main target for tourists in summer and often summited by locals in autumn.
Like Große Arnspitze, Arnplattenspitze offers astonishing views into Karwendel, Wetterstein and to the south. Three summit routes can be combined to interesting traverses. And the rather short 1.000 meters of altitude difference from Leutasch valley floor to the summit cross makes Arnplattenspitze a nice half days hike.
Getting There
Arnplattenspitze as seen from Hoher Sattel route
Main trailheads for Arnplattenspitze are:
Leutasch / Arn
Scharnitz / Giessenbach
Große Arnspitze
You reach Leutasch Arn
You reach Scharnitz / Giessenbach
Große Arnspitze as starting point for the Arnspitzen traverse.
 Scharnitz / Giessenbach |  near Leutasch / Arn |  Große Arnspitze |
Routes Overview
Routes Overview
Hoher Sattel route:
From Leutasch / Arn parking area follow the forest road up to Hoher Sattel.
Alternatively follow the forest road to Hoher Sattel, starting at Scharnitz / Giessenbach parking area, to its end and ascend on the trail to the end of the forest road from Leutasch to Hoher Sattel.
At Hoher Sattel take the trail (signposts) in northern direction leading into the woods and ascending to a huge scree fan above the woods. Ascend the (hot) south slopes of Weißlehnkopf using the steep but good trail up to a broad col between Weißlehnkopf and Arnplattenspitze (trail junction with Weißlehnkopf trail). Follow the ridge trail in eastern direction, changing to the north side an ascending to the steep summit rock. Climb the summit rock by following the route marks.
 Arnplattenspitze, seen from Hoher Sattel |  Hoher Sattel route, Karwendel view |  Weißlehnkopf, Dreitorspitze in the back |
Weißlehnkopf route:
From Leutasch / Arn parking area follow the forest road to Hoher Sattel for a short distance. At the beginning of the woods take a left hand trail which winds itself steeply up to Zwirchkopf, a first secondary summit within Arnspitzen ridge. Continue on that trail to Arnkopf and Weißlehnkopf ans descend shortly to the trail junction with Hoher Sattel route. Go on as described above.
 Summit block normal route |  Summit block normal route |  Summit block normal route |
Traverse Große Arnspitze – Arnplattenspitze
An excellent outing, the best one in the Arnspitzen area. The route is described here. The route is partly without trail and requires rock climbing / UIAA grade II (when done without Mittlere Arnspitze) to III (when done with Mittlere Arnspitze).
 Weißlehnkopf route |  Mittlere Arnspitze and Arnplattenspitze |  Arnplattenspitze, traverse to Große Arnspitze |
Red Tape & Accommodation
Red TapeNo restrictions as far as I know.
Accommodation
Leutasch
Scharnitz
Mittenwald
Seefeld
Mountain Huts
Arnspitzhütte; open shelter, not guarded.
Gear & Mountain Condition
Summit block
Arnplattenspitze normal routes are advanced hikes for late spring, summer and autumn until the first snow.
The summit block requires some rock climbing with moves up to UIAA grade II-.
A helmet for the summit block is recommended.
The traverse from Arnplattenspitze to Große Arnspitze is partly off-trail and requires rock climbing up to UIAA grade I and II. Fear of heights isn´t a good idea for this traverse.
Current Weather:
Maps & Guide Book
Evening light on Arnplattenspitze
Maps
Alpenvereinskarte, scale 1 : 25.000, number 4/3, Wetterstein und Mieminger Gebirge, Ost, trails, with UTM grid, München 2011
Bayerische Topographische Karte, scale 1 : 50.000, map number UK50-51, Karwendel, Landesamt für Vermessung und Geoinformation Bayern, 2008, with UTM-grid for GPS
Guide Book
Stefan Beulke, Alpenvereinsführer Wetterstein, Bergverlag Rother, 4th edition,
1996
