Arnplattenspitze

Overview

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

Main trailheads for Arnplattenspitze are:

Leutasch / Arn
Scharnitz / Giessenbach
Große Arnspitze

You reach Leutasch Arn

From Munich via highway A 95 to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and road number B 2 to Mittenwald. From Mittenwald use Leutascher Straße (signposts) into the Leutasch valley. Go on to Leutasch Puitbach and Arn. Turn on the road “Arn” and proceed to the bridge across Leutascher Ache (parking area).

From Kufstein, Innsbruck or Arlberg region follow the highway A 12 (Inntal highway, fee required) to the exit Zirl. At Zirl proceed on road number 177 to Seefeld and on road L 14 to Leutasch Weidach. After the gas station turn right on road Weidach and proceed to Leutasch Emmat and Arn. Park your car where it is possible.

Alternatively follow Buchener Straße (number L 35) from Telfs / Inntal valley up to Leutasch Platzl, Leutasch Gasse and Leutasch Weidach. Turn left on road Weidach in front of the gas station and proceed to Leutasch Emmat and Arn.

You reach Scharnitz / Giessenbach

From Munich via highway A 95 to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and road number B 2 to Mittenwald and Scharnitz. Keep on that road, now Austrian number 177 until you reach the small village of Giessenbach, 1,5 km southwest of Scharnitz. Turn right on road Giessenbach and park your car where it is possible.

From Kufstein, Innsbruck or Arlberg region follow the highway A 12 (Inntal highway, fee required) to the exit Zirl. At Zirl proceed on road number 177 to Seefeld and Giessenbach. Go on as described above.

Große Arnspitze as starting point for the Arnspitzen traverse.

Scharnitz / Giessenbach

near Leutasch / Arn

Große Arnspitze

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 Tape

No restrictions as far as I know.


Accommodation

Leutasch
Scharnitz
Mittenwald
Seefeld

Mountain Huts

Arnspitzhütte; open shelter, not guarded.

Gear & Mountain Condition

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

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

Images

View Arnplattenspitze Image Gallery - 21 Images