Hiking Innsbruck: Day Hikes and Hut-to-Hut Treks (original) (raw)

Innsbruck, the capital city of Tyrol, Austria, enjoys a privileged location in the Inntal Valley, surrounded by multiple mountain ranges of the Austrian Alps.

Set between the Karwendel’s Nordkette chain, an imposing wall of limestone, the Tux Alps, and the Kalkkögel mountains, Innsbruck is a playground for active travelers and hikers.

Innsbruck is also the gateway to the Mieming mountain chain and the Sellrain-Stubai mountains.

This guide to hiking in Innsbruck highlights our favorite day hikes, hut-to-hut hikes, and via ferrata climbs (special equipment needed) in the greater Innsbruck region.

You can also follow these Innsbruck hiking trail recommendations if you’re staying in Hall in Tirol, Absam, Wattens, Stans, Schwaz, Mutters, Axams, etc…

Goetheweg, Karwendel High Trail, Innsbruck, Austria

Innsbruck Day Hikes

1. Goetheweg Trail

Goetheweg, Innsbruck, Austria

The Goetheweg is a high-altitude, panoramic trail in the Karwendel Mountains.

This Innsbruck day hike starts at the Hafelekar mountain station (2269 m), accessible by cableway, and ends at the Pfeishütte mountain hut.

To get to the Hafelekar trailhead from the city center of Innsbruck, head to the Congress station (Google Maps) and take the Hungerburgbahn funicular to the Seegrubebahn valley station (Nordkette cableways valley station).

Next, take the Seegrubebahn gondola followed by the Hafelekar aerial cable car. These three cableways are collectively called the “Nordkettenbahnen” (Nordkette Cableways).

Purchase a Top of Innsbruck: Roundtrip Cable Car Ticket, which includes the funicular and cableways.

With sweeping views of the Inntal Valley and Innsbruck, the Goetheweg crosses the southern slopes of the Nordkette mountain chain to the Mühlkarscharte (2243 meters) saddle.

From the saddle, the path continues north below the Mandlspitze and twists up to the Mandlscharte (2314 meters). Much of this trail is protected with fixed cables. Along the way, there are excellent views of Zugspitze (2962 m), the highest mountain in Germany, and the Wetterstein Mountains.

The trail continues down to the charming Pfeishütte hut, where you can eat lunch. Make sure to bring cash.

Return along the same trail back to the Hafelekar mountain station.

Trail Stats

Starting Point | Innsbruck-Hungerburg valley station

Trailhead | Hafelekar mountain station

Distance | 10.7 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 4:45 – 5:00 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 614 meters

Difficulty | Moderately Difficult

2. Wolfsklamm Gorge Trail

Wolfsklamm Gorge Trail, Stans, Austria

Wolfsklamm (Wolf’s Gorge), often lauded as the most arresting gorge in Tyrol, is located in the Karwendel Mountains.

The gateway to the gorge is Stans, a village in the Inntal Valley, 30 km east of Innsbruck. You can reach Stans by train, or by car.

Between May and October, hikers can enter this impressively narrow river gorge. A heavily-bolstered path, made up of stairs, railings, bridges, and fixed cables, clings to the gorge wall and steeply ascends the limestone chasm.

Like other gorge trails that require regular maintenance, there is a small entrance fee to enter (5 EUR for adults, 1.50 EUR for kids).

Due to safety reasons, it’s only possible to hike one-way up through Wolfsklamm. At the end of the trail, you can extend the hike to the Benedictine Monastery of St. Georgenberg, where there’s a restaurant. Or, you can descend immediately along the Way of the Cross via “Weng” trail.

If you love gorge hikes, also check out the Liechtenstein Gorge in Austria, Vintgar Gorge in Slovenia, Höllental Gorge in Germany, Partnach Gorge in Germany, and Cares Gorge in Spain.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Parkplatz Wolfsklamm, Stans

Distance | 5.4 km circuit

Time Needed | 2:15 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 410 meters

Difficulty | Moderate

Entrance Fee | 5 EUR for Adults, 1.50 EUR for Kids (ages 6-14)

Learn More: Wolfsklamm Hiking Guide

3. Zirbenweg – Stone Pine Trail

Stone Pine Trail (Zirbenweg), Easy hike above Innsbruck, Austria

The Zirbenweg (aka Stone Pine Trail) is a panoramic path in the Tux Alps, the range that borders the Inntal to the south, opposite the Karwendel mountains.

It’s called the Stone Pine Trail because it leads through one of the oldest and largest stone pine stands in Europe.

The Stone Pine Trail connects the Patscherkofelbahn mountain station with the Glungezerbahn mountain station, running at a high altitude (2000 meters) with very minimal elevation gain/loss.

This hike is appealing, because it’s a scenic trail which requires very little exertion.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Patscherkofelbahn Mountain Station

Ending Point | Glungezerbahn Mountain Station

Distance | 7.7 km point-to-point

Time Needed | 2:30 hours

Elevation Gain | 198 meters

Elevation Loss | 106 meters

Difficulty | Easy

Learn More: Stone Pine Trail Hiking Guide

4. Nockspitze Peak

Nockspitze Hike, Kalkkögel mountains, Innsbruck, Austria

Nockspitze (aka Saile) is a panoramic peak in the Kalkkögel mountains that stands southwest of Innsbruck. The summit rewards hikers with far-reaching views of the Inntal Valley, Innsbruck, the Karwendel Mountains, and the Stubai Alps.

To start the hike, drive, or take a bus (with a transfer in Axams) to the Axamer Lizum ski area.

If you’re hiking this trail in high season, you can trim off some elevation by taking the Birgitzköpfl Chairlift (that’s what we did). This chairlift is free for Innsbruck Welcome Card holders.

From the Birgitzköpfl Chairlift, the trail crosses slopes and ascends across a series of summits to reach the summit of Nockspitze.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Axamer Lizum / Birgitzköpfl Chairlift mountain station

Distance | 6.4 km circuit with chairlift ascent

Time Needed | 4 hours

Elevation Gain | 418 meters

Elevation Loss | 905 meters

Difficulty | Moderately Difficult

Learn More: Nockspitze Hiking Guide

Via Ferrata Hikes around Innsbruck

(Special Equipment Needed)

5. Hundskopf Peak and Felix-Kuen-Steig

Hundskopf Peak Eastern Ridge trail, Karwendel, Austria

Hundskopf (2243 m) is the easternmost rocky summit in the Gleirsch-Halltal Chain of the Karwendel Mountains.

This Innsbruck hiking trail starts at Hinterhornalm (1522 m), which is only accessible by car via a toll road (fees apply, bring cash).

To reach the Hundskopf summit, hikers have two options. They can either ascend the 15-minute Felix-Kuen-Steig (Grade A/B), a short and easy via ferrata (Klettersteig in German). Or, they can ascend the eastern ridge to the summit, which is an airy, partially-secured path.

Ideally, hikers ascend the Felix-Kuen-Steig to Hundskopf and then descend the eastern ridge in one circuit.

It takes 2 hours to reach the base of the Felix-Kuen-Steig. It’s a tough ascent, only suitable for experienced, acclimated hikers who have no fear of heights.

Before completing the hike, we suggest detouring to the Walderalm mountain pasture for delicious Tyrolean Knödel.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Hinterhornalm, Gnadenwald

Distance | 6.9 km lollipop circuit

Time Needed | 4 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 764 meters

Via Ferrata Difficulty | Easy, Grade A/B

Hike Difficulty | Difficult

Learn More: Hundskopf Hiking Guide

Hut to Hut Hiking Trails around Innsbruck

6. Karwendel High Trail

Karwendel High Trail, Innsbruck, Austria

The 6-stage Karwendel High Trail (Karwendel Höhenweg) is a hut-to-hut hike in the Karwendel Mountains of Tyrol, which starts in Scharnitz and ends in Seefeld in Tirol.

You can reach the Scharnitz trailhead by train from either Innsbruck, or Seefeld in Tirol, in Austria, or from Munich in Germany.

This 63-km U-shaped hiking trail in Tirol weaves through gorgeous high alpine environments, gifting hikers sweeping views of the Stubai and Zillertal Alps as well as the Inntal, Halltal, and Sammertal Valleys.

In 6 days, hikers will walk along the Isar river, summit Speckkarspitze and Kleine Stempeljochspitze peaks (optional), follow a narrow balcony trail overlooking Innsbruck, and conquer the challenging ascents and descents to the Stempeljoch and Frau Hitt mountain saddles.

Beyond the stirring views of the limestone mountains, you’ll experience some of Austria’s most welcoming and convivial mountain huts.

Each hut along this route is staffed by an attentive and hospitable team. And, the food is sensational as well.

Trail Stats

Starting Point | Scharnitz, Tyrol

Ending Point | Seefeld, Tyrol

Distance | 63 km u-shaped circuit

Time Needed | 6 Days

Difficulty | Difficult

Learn More: Karwendel High Trail

Where to Stay around Innsbruck

Innsbruck City Center

Innsbruck, Austria

Budget-Midrange | Motel One Innsbruck is located near the Innsbruck Train Station, a mere 10-minute walk into the Innenstadt (Inner City of Innsbruck). This modern 3-star hotel offers snug rooms with views overlooking the city and mountains. Don’t miss the top floor bar. Perks: luggage storage and 24/7 reception. Breakfast and underground parking are both available for an extra charge.

Midrange | NALA individuellhotel is a quirky hotel with uniquely-designed rooms, a sun terrace, fitness room, breakfast (extra fee), and nearby parking (extra fee).

Midrange-Luxury | Faktorei is a boutique hotel housed in a 15th century town house with 12 sun-drenched minimalist rooms, a garden, terrace, and bar. Private garage parking is available, but must be reserved in advance (extra fee). Breakfast is served in the hotel’s adjacent café (extra fee).

Top Choice – Luxury | Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz is a contemporary hotel with an atmospheric bar in Innsbruck’s pedestrian zone. Stay here for the delicious breakfast, stylish design, professional staff, and location. No on-site parking.

Top Choice – Luxury | Set in a historic building in the center of Innsbruck, the exceptional Weisses Rössl is a boutique hotel with a 600-year-old Tyrolean restaurant. Expect a delicious breakfast. Paid public parking is located nearby.

More Innsbruck Accommodations: Montagu Hostel (budget), Hotel Innsbruck (luxury), or Hotel Zach (luxury)

Look for accommodation in Innsbruck.

Hall in Tirol

Hall in Tirol is a town in the Inn Valley, just east of Innsbruck. Its historic center has been beautifully restored, making it a delight to explore on foot. Hall rose to prominence in the 13th century, because of the salt industry.

It was actually the most important commercial center in North Tirol. This is a great base for exploring the Karwendel Mountains and Innsbruck’s surroundings.

Top-Choice Luxury | Hotel Kontor is a boutique hotel in Hall in Tirol with airy, minimalist rooms featuring hardwood floors, billowy linen, and tea and coffee makers. Breakfast is included. On-site parking is available.

Luxury | Parkhotel Hall in Tirol is a modern, dog-friendly hotel with soundproof rooms, an on-site restaurant, and a 580 m2 spa area, walking distance to the historic Altstadt (Old Town). Parking is available (extra charge). A rich breakfast is included.

Look for accommodation in Hall in Tirol.

More Hikes around Innsbruck

Lake Achensee:

Seefeld in Tirol:

Ehrwald:

Grosser Ahornboden:

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Innsbruck Hiking Trails, Austria

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