The best toboggan runs in Innsbruck: Would you prefer a 32% gradient, delighted, a tobogan run with lift or Kaiserschmarrn?
There are plenty of tobogganing options in Innsbruck. You have a wide selection of toboggan runs to choose from. No matter which direction you’re looking in, you’ll find at least one toboggan run in Innsbruck! Many of the runs are even kilometers long, offering a unique winter experience. I’ll show you my toboggan run highlights in Innsbruck, including a run with a lift and an illuminated run for night tobogganing. Also exciting for anyone with a winter birthday looking for the perfect party location : a rustic mountain hut situated right next to a toboggan run. For the tobogganing pros among you, I recommend a visit to the steepest toboggan run in Tyrol . And please remember your spikes for the ascent and the appropriate tobogganing equipment!
Innsbruck toboggan run with lift: At Glungezer
The perfect toboggan run near Innsbruck, complete with a lift, has been attracting visitors since the 2021/22 winter season. Now that the new gondola lift has been built from the village of Tulfes all the way up to the mountain station, there’s a truly fantastic toboggan run on the Glungezer mountain. It starts right at the top station and winds down nearly 20 switchbacks to the Halsmarter mid-station. The tobogganing fun covers approximately 4 kilometers and a 500-meter vertical drop. From the mid-station, you can take the gondola back up to the start, and the next tobogganing adventure can begin. But be sure to take some time to admire the uniquely beautiful mountain panorama . In the upper switchbacks, you’ll look out from the Swiss stone pine forest across the Inn Valley to the Karwendel mountains and have a perfect view of the city of Innsbruck ! This toboggan run near Innsbruck is also relatively snow-sure, as the descent starts at an altitude of around 2000 meters. The popular Glungezer ski area is located all around the toboggan run. Arrival is possible by car and public transport (the public buses of line 4132/4134 stop directly at the entrance to the gondola).
| Starting point: | Glungezerbahn Tulfes parking lot |
| Length of the toboggan run: | 3.7 kilometers |
| Elevation difference: | 500 meters of elevation gain |
| Ascent: | Take the gondola up to Halsmarter, from Halsmarter on foot or by mountain railway |
| Special features: | Snow-sure, panoramic views over Innsbruck |
Steepest toboggan run of Tyrol
While the “normal” toboggan runs in Innsbruck have a gradient of around 10%, the Halltal toboggan run boasts a maximum gradient of 32% . This makes the Halltal toboggan run the steepest in the Karwendel mountains and also the steepest official toboggan run in all of Tyrol. What’s more, this steep section is located in a curve… Two challenges in one: steep and winding. It’s clear that you should only attempt this Innsbruck toboggan run if you are an experienced tobogganer . If you feel up to these challenges, you will love this toboggan run. The wild landscape of the Karwendel mountains is enchanting on this toboggan run like on no other run presented here. To the left and right of the toboggan run, the rock faces of the Karwendel Mountains rise almost vertically into the sky. Therefore, be sure to pay close attention to the current avalanche situation. However, if the conditions, snow, and weather are right, this toboggan run is a dream come true. Up top, a unique place to stop for refreshments awaits: In the former St. Magdalena monastery, Harry cooks hearty meals, and his homemade cakes and tarts are renowned far and wide. You can also rent a toboggan from Harry.
–> Halltal toboggan run
| Starting point: | Absam parking lot, at the entrance to the Halltal valley |
| Length of the toboggan run: | 4.5 kilometers |
| Elevation difference: | 500 meters of elevation gain |
| Ascent: | on foot |
| Special features: | steepest section with a 32% gradient, quaint stop in St. Magdalena |
Snow-sure toboggan run in Innsbruck at Lake Obernberg
If you’re looking for a completely natural toboggan run that’s not too difficult and offers breathtaking scenery, you’ll love the toboggan run at Lake Obernberg . However, getting there is a bit of a trek: From Innsbruck, you can take public transport or drive up through the Obernberg Valley to the village of Obernberg. On the way, admire the beautiful church, whose red onion dome looks truly fairytale-like against the backdrop of the Tribulaun mountain range. The bus stop and parking lot are located at the very end of the valley. This is where the ascent begins. After about 45 minutes, you’ll have completed the roughly 1.5-kilometer climb and will arrive at the wintry Lake Obernberg. From here, the descent follows the same route as the ascent. The toboggan run is situated at a relatively high altitude, and the area is known for its abundant snow. This means you can often toboggan here while other runs are closed due to lack of snow. Special feature: The toboggan run is illuminated daily until midnight. Due to the long journey, this toboggan run isn’t really suitable for a day trip, but rather for a short break. In winter, the area around Lake Obernberg is perfect for snowshoeing and ski touring!
–> www.obernberger-see.com
| Starting point: | Obernberg parking lot, at the end of the valley |
| Length of the toboggan run: | 1.5 kilometers |
| Elevation difference: | 150 meters of elevation gain |
| Ascent: | on foot |
| Special features: | stunning winter scenery at the top of the lake |
Innsbruck toboggan run below the Serles
The Maria Waldrast toboggan run below the Serles mountain is a particularly beautiful route for sledding. The descent is approximately 3.5 kilometers long and offers stunning scenery. A unique feature of this Innsbruck toboggan run is that the ascent and the toboggan run are separate. Where the Serles toll road to Maria Waldrast runs in summer, the toboggan run ascends in winter. You sled up through the snow-covered forest. The gradient of around 10% is consistently manageable. At the top, the view of the distinctive Serles summit is breathtaking. Below the Serles, you’ll reach the Maria Waldrast pilgrimage church. There, you can drink from the healing water fountain before beginning your descent. Below the church, the groomed natural toboggan run starts to the left, away from the road. In the lower section, this Innsbruck toboggan run splits: the left bypass offers a gentle gradient, while the right section features a challenging gradient of up to 23%.
–> Serles toboggan run Maria Waldrast
| Starting point: | Parking lot in Mühlbachl (Matrei am Brenner), at the start of the toll road |
| Length of the toboggan run: | 3.5 kilometers |
| Elevation difference: | 500 meters of elevation gain |
| Ascent: | on foot, toboggan taxi |
| Special features: | Beautiful winter landscape, night sledding on Thursday, Friday & Saturday |
Illuminated toboggan run in Innsbruck, in the Axamer Lizum
For night owls, the toboggan run in Axams is a must-do. This toboggan run is almost 4 kilometers long. The descent starts at the top of the ski area’s large parking lot and leads down to the Axams district of Knappen. You can toboggan down over 500 meters of vertical drop on this run! During the day, many people use this toboggan run in Innsbruck for a snowy outing. At night, the Axams toboggan run is illuminated daily. The lights even stay on until midnight! To make the tobogganing experience effortless, a toboggan bus runs in the evenings from Götzens via Birgitz and Axams, transporting tobogganing enthusiasts and locals up the mountain. During the day, you can easily get there by bus: Ski bus line VVT L1 from Innsbruck, ski bus line VVT L2 between Axams/Axamer Lizum and Mutters. I advise against traveling by car due to the limited parking.
Innsbruck toboggan run with Kaiserschmarrn + hut for celebrating
Finally, a very special toboggan run near Innsbruck – the Lehnberg toboggan run . It’s special because you can not only enjoy a classic tobogganing trip, but also have a birthday party at a mountain hut! But let’s start at the beginning: You drive from the Inn Valley up to the Mieming Plateau. The parking lot is in the hamlet of Arzkasten. From there, you pull your toboggan uphill for about 1.5 hours. After approximately 3.5 kilometers, you reach the Lehnberghaus . There, you can stop for a delicious Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake) or even rent the entire hut for your family celebration. Hut owner Silvio makes it possible! Above the dining area, there’s a small dormitory for overnight stays and a room. So you can celebrate your birthday at a mountain hut, including an overnight stay and a toboggan run the next day. A unique opportunity to have a one-of-a-kind celebration amidst the snow-covered mountains.
–> Lehnberghaus Toboggan Run
| Starting point: | Arzkasten parking lot, Mieming Obsteig |
| Length of the toboggan run: | 3.5 kilometers |
| Elevation difference: | 400 meters of elevation gain |
| Ascent: | on foot |
| Special features: | Home-style cooking at the Lehnberghaus, cabin evenings on request |
Sunny toboggan run in Zirl, Innsbruck
This 4-kilometer toboggan run near Innsbruck attracts many winter sports enthusiasts, primarily due to its sunny location . You begin your ascent in the small village of Zirl, just outside the city of Innsbruck. Where the official mountain bike tour from Zirl to the Magdeburger Hütte runs in summer, a toboggan run takes place in winter. The Brunnthal snack bar is located right in the middle. The starting point in Zirl is at the parking lot by the Red Cross. On cold winter days, tobogganing in the sunshine is a real treat! The only downside: due to its sunny exposure at the bottom, the toboggan run becomes snow-free quickly. This toboggan run is only recommended on snowy winter days. Ideally, go right after fresh snowfall, before the sun has melted the snow. In contrast, the following toboggan run is snow-sure and even has a lift to assist you:
Kemater Alm toboggan run
The Kemater Alm toboggan run is one of the longest toboggan runs near Innsbruck. The starting point is in Grinzens at the entrance to the Senderstal valley . You can easily reach the starting point by public transport: the post bus runs regularly to Grinzens and stops right at the entrance to the Senderstal valley. It couldn’t be easier. At the top, this toboggan run near Innsbruck offers a fantastic mountain panorama with views of the Kalkkögel mountains . The run is of medium difficulty. However, the upper section becomes relatively steep, which is challenging both on the ascent and on the toboggan run. The hike to the alpine pasture takes about 2 hours, covering approximately 700 meters of elevation gain over 6.2 kilometers. For most tobogganers, it’s a moderately demanding hike. The scenery, however, is absolutely stunning.
| Starting point: | Grinzens parking lot |
| Length of the toboggan run: | 6.2 kilometers |
| Elevation difference: | 700 meters of elevation gain |
| Ascent: | on foot |
| Special features: | Public bus connection to the starting point (Postbus to Grinzens) |
Sledding on a coaster in winter
We recently discovered a truly special toboggan run . It’s a day trip from Innsbruck and absolutely unique! I’m talking about the summer toboggan run in Wildschönau, which is also open in winter. So you can even ride a coaster on rails in the colder months. We tried it out, and that wasn’t all: before riding the coaster, we also tried the natural toboggan run next door in Niederau. This toboggan run is almost 6 kilometers long, making it one of the longest in Tyrol. You can hike up it or take the lift. A trip on the coaster in winter is truly extraordinary! Here’s a detailed account of our experience, including pictures and directions: —> how to go tobogganing in Wildschönau
–> 2 toboggan runs in one day
Further links
- Prefer skiing to sledding? Here are my tips for the Innsbruck ski resorts.
- More good ideas for winter in Innsbruck without skiing
- the best sights in Innsbruck
Innsbruck tobogganing & remember these tips
Do you also want to go sledding in Innsbruck or simply experience a real winter in the Alps, but you don’t know when you’ll have the time? Save the pin on Pinterest so you can easily find my tips again. You can also send the post to your phone via WhatsApp or email . Choose your preferred icon below the image and off you go…
