Wild river Isar

The Isar is very lively in the Karwendel mountains , where it has its source on the Tyrolean side near Scharnitz. Three springs gush the approximately five degree cold water out of the rock. Combined, they continue to flow through the Karwendel Alps via Mittenwald , Krün and Wallgau to Munich and Plattling. There, after 295 kilometers, the Isar flows into the Danube.
At Krün, water is diverted into the Isar transmission canal for the Walchensee power plant. The Isar then spreads out to become Germany's last wild river. Here - between Wallgau and the Sylvenstein reservoir - it has been allowed to flow as it pleases for almost 10,000 years. The Isar constantly changes its course, creating a unique landscape . Animals and plants that have long been displaced elsewhere live here: Little ringed plovers and sandpipers breed in the gravel. The delicate pink snow heather, the silverroot, the fragrant stonecrop, as well as the primrose, alpine butterwort and gentian form the carpet of flowers in the Isar floodplains.

For true nature lovers

In Alpenwelt Karwendel, you can experience the wild Isar in many different ways: the first stage of the Isar cycle path leads from the source of the Isar in Hinterautal via Mittenwald and Krün to Wallgau. Downstream near Krün, you can learn a lot about flora and fauna and rafting on a leisurely hike along the Isar Nature Experience Trail. Just around the corner is Bavaria's first pebble nature trail, a must for amateur geologists. Small dam builders are busy on the gravel banks. If you hike along the Isar to the Auhütte, you can try the home-baked bread made by the landlady of the hut. Many other hiking and cycling tours also start in the wide Isar valley. In winter, many migratory birds can be observed at the Isar reservoir. Or you can cross the wild river landscape on the Canada cross-country ski trail.