The Arnspitze is a stand-alone mountain, located exactly on the border between Germany and Austria, with magnificient views of the Karwendel range to one side and Wetterstein range to the another side. Climbing is not very difficult, it is mainly a sometimes steep walking track, but it takes nearly three hours to get to the top from the base, as it is about 1200 meters difference with half an hour crossing. The last 200 meters are a bit tricky on lose ground, so prepare yourself with some solid boots. You will be rewarded with a magnificient panoramic view on some spectacular peaks. Favorite downhill trail is the 'Haselleine', where you can surf down a gulley.
Take some food and drink with you, as there are no restaurants or refuges with service on this mountain. There is only one hidden spring with a small sign to it, located where the two trails join at about 1450 m.

Getting There

There are two ways to get started: one is from the German side near Mittenwald, the other is some miles away ('Leutasch' direction) on the Austrian side and about 100 meters higher. You can go by car directly to the mountain base on both locations.
The paths join at about 1450 meters altitude.

Directions:
If you come from Austria: look at the map at Innsbruck. A couple of miles west, there is a road to the north, passing Seefeld and Scharnitz, crossing the border to Mittenwald (Germany).

If you come from Germany: go south from Munich, take the highway to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where you turn east to get to Mittenwald (just follow the road to Innsbruck). The German access to the Arnspitze is located directly at the southern end of the town (look for a sign to 'Gletscherschliff', which is a hut located on the trail to Arnspitze about 200m above base level).

There is also a train station at Mittenwald and a regular bus service from Gamisch-Partenkirchen, which take you within half a mile distance from the trail.

Red Tape

No permits required, parking is free.

When To Climb

Reasonable conditions from June to early October, when you´re lucky even until late October.

Camping

Camping is possible at Mittenwald and in the Leutasch valley. On the mountain there is only a hut that has to be booked in advance, no permanent or in-hut service. The hut is run by the small section Hochland of the DAV, for some more information you can have a look here:

http://www.alpenverein.at/huette/huette_detail.asp?nummer=680

http://www.sektion-hochland.de/Hutten/hutten.html

External Links

Steinmandl.de
Route description with pictures in German
Mittenwald - oberes Isartal
Lots of information on the area, more mountains, huts, accomodation...
Bergsteigen Arnspitze - via-ferrata.de
Via-Ferrata.de - Klettersteigportal - Over 100 fixed rope routes. Moreover detailed information over climbing, alps, hiking and other outdoor activities.

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