Hiking in Innsbruck – which hikes are particularly worthwhile?
Where to hike in Innsbruck? Besides visiting the historic Old Town with its Golden Roof and numerous other sights, the capital of the Alps also offers beautiful hikes! There are hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails around Innsbruck. And if you’re willing to travel a bit further, there are even more hikes to discover. Having hiked countless trails to mountain huts, summits, and other fantastic destinations, I’d like to offer you a short guide to help you choose your perfect Innsbruck hike . In this blog post, I’ll start with the sunny mountains around Innsbruck – the easy hikes within the city limits and the breathtaking limestone cliffs of the Nordkette mountain range in the Karwendel mountains. I’ll give you tips for everything from a simple stroll to the challenging via ferrata on the Nordkette. Opposite the Nordkette, Innsbruckers love the city’s second local mountain, the Patscherkofel . Both mountain ranges are easily accessible for hiking thanks to cable cars. Let yourself be surprised by the other hikes in the surrounding area. They lead to the Bergisel mountain, including the famous Bergisel ski jump , and to a former monastery in the Karwendel mountains, which now serves hikers as a mountain hut. I’ll also show you, from my perspective, what makes each Innsbruck hike special. Let’s start with easy hikes or walks in the city:
Very easy hike: Long walks in Innsbruck
If you simply want to get out of the house and enjoy a leisurely hike or stroll in Innsbruck, this section will interest you. The paths along the Inn River stretch for miles, the botanical gardens are beautiful, and the centrally located Hofgarten offers a welcome respite from the city. Or how about a walk through Innsbruck, taking in the city’s most popular sights? Take a long walk through Innsbruck – far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. While hiking isn’t possible everywhere in the mountains during winter, you can enjoy walks in Innsbruck year-round. I’ve already written a blog post about the most beautiful walks in Innsbruck . These paths are also suitable for strollers, and you can even make a stop at one of the many playgrounds along the way.
Innsbruck Hiking on the North chain
Popular, beautiful, easily accessible, and therefore very busy, are the hiking trails from the city up to the well-known alpine pastures on the Nordkette mountain range in the Karwendel mountains . The hikes from Innsbruck to the Arzler Alm, the Rumer Alm, and of course the Umbrüggler Alm are particularly crowded on sunny weekdays and especially on weekends. Personally, I don’t enjoy it. There are simply too many people out and about. But of course, it’s understandable; these are the obvious hiking destinations that you can easily reach from Innsbruck. If that doesn’t bother you, you’ll enjoy these hikes. They are indeed very beautiful, and thanks to the Nordkette cable car, they are easily accessible from the Hungerburg
district. –> The Hungerburg cable car takes you to the starting point for these alpine pasture hikes .
Hiking the Goethe Trail in Innsbruck
For me, the Goetheweg trail is a great compromise between crowds and a fantastic hike
. Sure, lots of people take the Nordkette cable car up to the Hafelekar. But most visitors only hike the section from the Hafelekar cable car’s mountain station to the Hafelekar summit. They take lots of photos at the summit cross, then head back down to the cable car. For city tourists in Innsbruck, this is the ultimate experience. And it’s highly recommended. Where else can you get from the old town up into such an alpine mountain landscape? That’s why everyone who lives in or is spending their vacation in Innsbruck or the surrounding area should experience it for themselves.
–> here is the description for the Hafelekar trip
The hike begins at the Hafelekar: As you continue along the Goetheweg trail from the Hafelekarspitze, you’ll notice how quickly you immerse yourself in nature and how few people you encounter. I’ve hiked up here myself in both summer and autumn and was absolutely thrilled with this Innsbruck hike. I took the Nordkette cable car all the way to the top and then hiked along the narrow trail beside the rocks. The views are incredible, and the perspectives are constantly changing. At one point, I even hiked up one of the peaks – and had the place all to myself! That’s why the Goetheweg is my top recommendation for your Innsbruck hike. I’ve put together a detailed description of the tour for you – and you’ll also get the discount code for the cheapest way to get to the starting point:
–> so I recommend the Goetheweg
Innsbruck via ferrata hiking
Challenging and therefore not for everyone, but a unique hiking experience in Innsbruck: the via ferrata on the Nordkette mountain range. The Innsbruck via ferrata is both demanding and incredibly beautiful! If you enjoy hiking on a wire rope with a via ferrata kit, you should definitely try this tour. Located on sunny slopes, it’s a dream, especially in early summer and autumn, on this via ferrata high up in the mountains. The sunny exposure makes these seasons perfect for a challenging via ferrata hike in Innsbruck.
–> all the info for the Via Ferrata Innsbruck
Innsbruck hike to the Patscherkofel
If you enjoy taking a cable car up to continue hiking, the
Patscherkofel is perfect. This 2,248-meter-high peak is the striking mountain south of the town. You can easily reach the valley station of the cable car in Igls from the town by bus. There, you board the modern gondolas and glide up to the mountain station at 1,965 meters above sea level. Even at the mountain station, the view is magnificent above the tree line. An
easy panoramic trail leads the approximately 300 meters of elevation gain to the summit of the Patscherkofel. There, you’ll see even more, as the view expands across the Tux Alps towards the Brenner Pass and the main Alpine ridge. Locals love this hike because it’s easy and even manageable with a stroller. For children, this hike is marked as
Kofele’s Quiz Hiking Tour . Along the way, there are small riddles to solve. At the Kofele mountain restaurant, children can check their answers and receive a small surprise.
The Patscherkofel is especially beautiful in early summer. June is the peak blooming season for the alpine roses . Thousands of these roses bloom up here, transforming the entire mountaintop into a pink floral paradise. These protected alpine roses grow naturally here in vast quantities. It’s a sight no nature lover should miss. From June until November, another botanical highlight awaits: The Zirbenweg. It leads from the Patscherkofel to the Glungezer. Here in the Tux Alps, Swiss stone pines thrive, and you hike from one pine tree to the next along the trail. This high-altitude path at around 2,000 meters also offers breathtaking views and would be worth a hike in Innsbruck for that reason alone. We did both hikes, you can find it here:
–> Zirbenweg
–> Patscherkofel
Hiking on the Bergisel in Innsbruck
An extraordinary hike in Innsbruck takes you from the southern edge of the city up to the historically significant
Bergisel . We started at Wilten Abbey and followed the wide hiking trail up to Bergisel. There you’ll find the Andreas Hofer Monument, commemorating the Tyrolean folk hero and the decisive Battle of Bergisel in 1809. From up here, you already have a beautiful view of Innsbruck. It’s worth hiking further and visiting the Bergisel Ski Jump . The sports venue is open for a fee when not in use. During the summer months, ski jumpers are on the jump, and you can walk through the entire station directly up to the jump itself . At the very top, there’s a viewing terrace and a restaurant. Those who want to hike even further can combine a visit to the Bergisel Ski Jump with a trip to the Sill Gorge. Here are the descriptions, pictures, and our experiences:
–> Sillschlucht
–> Bergisel ski jumping
Year-round Innsbruck hike to a special alpine pasture
While more and more alpine pastures and mountain huts close for the winter each week in late autumn, one inn remains
open throughout . This inn is also quite special: it’s neither an alpine pasture nor a typical mountain hut. The buildings in
St. Magdalena were once a
monastery . Since 2020, Harry has been running the historic walls as an alpine inn. You’ll find exceptionally good food, and the homemade cakes are famous far beyond the Hall Valley. The ascent to the St. Magdalena Alpine Inn begins at the large hiking parking lot in Absam. The hike leads through the wildly romantic Hall Valley, climbing approximately 500 meters in altitude – either on the escape trail or along the paved Hall Valley road, which is closed to traffic.
–> Hike to St. Magdalena
Innsbruck hike to the Salfeiner See
The Innsbruck hike to Lake Salfeiner is a trek to a photo opportunity that graces many calendars:
Lake Salfeiner is not just an idyllic mountain lake, but a natural gem with a unique feature. The lake’s smooth surface reflects the imposing Kalkkögel mountains. The Kalkkögel are a striking mountain range often referred to as the “North Tyrolean Dolomites.” This reflection creates a magical and picturesque atmosphere, making Lake Salfeiner a popular destination for nature photographers and hikers. This hike is a rewarding adventure for both locals and visitors. It’s a technically easy hike, even suitable for families.
–> Salfeiner Lake
Discover even more hiking destinations in Innsbruck
AUTHOR’S TIPS
If you’re still looking for hiking inspiration, you can also read more on my Karwendel travel blog. There you’ll find a post with my tips and other beautiful hikes around Innsbruck . I also recommend the post about the 7 most beautiful mountains around Innsbruck here on the Innsbruck blog . And finally, a mention of the largest larch forest in Tyrol. In autumn, the larch trees transform into a yellow feast for the eyes that you simply must see. Where can you best experience this? On these hikes around Lake Obernberg.
Summary
Innsbruck offers a variety of hikes, providing a wealth of outdoor experiences and breathtaking views for both locals and visitors. From easy city walks to more challenging summit climbs, here are some of the most rewarding hikes in Innsbruck:
Easy walks in the city:
- In Innsbruck you can enjoy leisurely walks along the Inn river or through the Hofgarten to escape everyday life and experience the city’s nature.
- A stroll past the most popular sights, such as the Golden Roof, offers you the opportunity to explore the historic old town.
Nordkette in the Karwendel mountains:
- Hikes to the alpine pastures of the Nordkette, such as the Arzler Alm, the Rumer Alm and the Umbrüggler Alm, are easily accessible and offer magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.
- The Goetheweg trail on the Nordkette mountain range leads you along narrow hiking paths by the rocks and offers spectacular views of Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains.
Innsbruck via ferrata:
- For adventurous hikers, there’s the challenging via ferrata on the Nordkette mountain range. Equipped with a via ferrata set and wire rope, you’ll experience a unique hiking adventure in an alpine setting.
Patscherkofel:
- The Patscherkofel is a striking mountain south of Innsbruck. Take the cable car to the mountain station at 1965 meters and hike along a panoramic trail to the summit.
- Especially in early summer, the Patscherkofel mountain shines in the bloom of alpine roses and offers a breathtaking view.
Bergisel and Sill Gorge:
- From the southern edge of the city, an extraordinary hike leads you to the Bergisel, where you can visit the Andreas Hofer Monument and the Bergisel Ski Jump.
- The hike can be combined with an optional excursion into the impressive Sill Gorge.
Alpengasthof St. Magdalena:
- A special hike leads you to the St. Magdalena mountain inn in the Halltal valley. Formerly a monastery, this place offers culinary delights and a charming climb.
Salfeiner See
- The hike to Lake Salfeiner is impressive, thanks to the unique reflection of the Kalkkögel mountains in the lake’s smooth water. This easy hike is suitable for families and offers a magical atmosphere.
Hiking in Innsbruck? – frequently asked questions
A hike in Innsbruck with particularly spectacular viewpoints leads to the Nordkette mountain range, which rises above the city. The Goetheweg trail is especially easy yet offers breathtaking views. You take the Nordkette cable car to Hafelekar and start your hike at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. Truly spectacular!
The hike to the Alpengasthof St. Magdalena is a perfect choice if you are looking for a rustic stop at an alpine pasture or hut.
The hike to Lake Salfeiner is a wonderful opportunity to experience an idyllic mountain lake in the Tyrolean Alps. The lake’s smooth surface reflects the imposing Kalkkögel mountains, a striking range often referred to as the “North Tyrolean Dolomites.” This view makes the lake a popular subject for photographers.
Innsbruck Hiking – remember these tips
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