Gild the autumn with hiking experiences around Innsbruck!

Updated on 07.09.2022

Hannah takes a deep breath. It smells of pine needles, moss and forest floor. Golden light makes its way through the treetops. She feels her body, comfortable in the cool air. Behind the next bend in the path, a mountain hut appears like a promise of delicious cosiness. Time for a break! And the path? It's still waiting for you later.

Do you want to feel as good as Hannah? Then hike through the golden autumn with us in the Innsbruck region. Heavenly relaxation reigns here. The journey is the reward, and there are many paths. Depending on your fitness level and mood, you can either take a leisurely stroll through idyllic countryside. Or really push yourself on challenging climbs. Extended hikes are possible well into autumn. Close to the city, on sunny paths or in the rugged charm of high alpine surroundings. The bonus: Most mountain huts also remain open during the autumn months and treat their guests to Tyrolean delicacies.

Our tip: a free guided hike as part of our activity programme. The region's hiking guides take you on wonderful hiking tours. Free for guests with a Welcome Card until 3 November 2022.

The hiking fun of the Innsbruck region starts right in the city centre. One minute you're strolling through the charming arcades of the medieval old town, past street cafés and tempting shop windows. Five minutes later, you are already whizzing silently up the Nordkette mountain range on the ultra-modern Hungerburgbahn cable car for a liberating hiking experience. Public transport takes all hiking enthusiasts to the hiking starts on the outskirts of the city and in the surrounding villages. Travelling by bus, tram and train is even free with the Welcome Card. Many mountain railways are discounted with the card. You get the Welcome Card free with your stay in one of the participating partner businesses.

The mountain huts on the slopes of the Nordkette are very close to the hustle and bustle of the city, yet in a wonderfully peaceful location. the ultra-modern Umbrüggler Alm is 40 minutes from the Hungerburg station of the Nordkette cable car. The rustic Arzler Alm is just under an hour's walk away. Further up, but still easily accessible, are the Höttinger Alm and Bodenstein Alm with views of Innsbruck. And those who like high alpine hikes with a view of the city can hike from the Hafelekar at over 2,000 metres above sea level via the Goetheweg to the Pfeishütte in the Karwendel. A mountain dream that is hard to believe is so close to the city centre. Even closer is a meditative path for spiritual and urban pilgrims: the path to the Höttinger Bild has long been a place of pilgrimage, especially for students. Many a prayer for academic success has been sent up to heaven from the small forest chapel. Those who wish can hike further to the Alpengasthof Rauschbrunnen. An idyllic spot with a view of Innsbruck while you savour Tyrolean delicacies.

On the other side of the valley, the Patscherkofel mountain borders Innsbruck. With its rounded summit, the mountain is the stark opposite of the rocky Nordkette mountain range opposite. But here too, magnificent hiking opportunities await close to the city. A walk to the summit from the mountain station of the Patscherkofel cable car is doable for the whole family. Or you can visit the many mountain pastures on the slopes of the Patscherkofel. Shorter and longer hiking trails are available.

Sun-kissed meadows, glowing foliage on "burning larks", on leisurely paths through the autumn idyll of the Mieminger plateau. The area around 35 minutes west of Innsbruck is hard to beat in terms of sunny charm. Here you hike leisurely and without any major inclines, but the Hohe Munde towers imposingly in the background. What a sight! Here you can unwind on beautiful walks and easy hikes.

The three mountaineering villages of the Sellrain Valley are unspoilt, authentic, in the middle of an Eldorado for alpinists: Sellrain, Gries and St. Siegmund. They are ideal starting points for an extended hiking holiday. Experienced mountaineers and seasoned hikers in particular are in paradise here, because it really is high up here. Those who are fit and experienced in the mountains will enjoy the challenging Sellrainer Hüttenrunde to the full. 5. 700 metres in altitude are spread over 80 kilometres, which are covered in seven daily stages. A hiking week characterised by wonderful impressions: Alpine roses and gentian grow along the way, mountain streams babble in unspoilt nature. Fitness and mountain experience are required and will be rewarded with magnificent mountain experiences.

There are also wild hiking opportunities to explore in the Karwendel. The Karwendel Nature Park is the largest of its kind in Austria. It is home to rare alpine species such as golden eagles, chamois and native exotic species such as the three-toed woodpecker and the sandpiper. Perhaps these shy animals will dare to come into sight on the Karwendel High Trail. 60 kilometres and 7,000 metres in altitude are spread over six daily stages between Scharnitz and Reith near Seefeld. Innsbruck is right in the middle.

*In good hiking weather, extended hikes are still possible well into autumn. We recommend good preparation, adequate equipment and advance information on the weather and trail conditions, especially before making excursions into high alpine terrain.

Apart from the marvellous impressions on the mountain, the great views from the top and the delicious Alpine delicacies at the huts: Here are our top 3 reasons to go hiking in Innsbruck:

The most fantastic holiday photos are taken while hiking and the best breakfastis servedhere!You meet the coolest people on the mountain! Like our Werner, for example: blogger, amateur archaeologist and passionate pilgrim.

About Innsbruck Tourismus

Innsbruck Tourismus is the official destination management organisation of the Innsbruck region, which stretches from the Tyrolean capital to 40 towns and villages in the surrounding area - from the Inntal valley to the Mieminger Plateau via Kühtai to the Sellraintal valley. With almost 3.5 million overnight stays and 4 million day visitors a year (as of 2019), the Innsbruck region is one of the largest tourism institutions in Austria and is a unique symbiosis of vibrant urban space and fascinating Alpine mountain scenery. Diverse city flair and sightseeing are just a breath away from the next cycling or hiking tour, the next skiing or winter hiking experience. The free Welcome Card guest card is the key to the region's boundless diversity: with free use of public transport, numerous highlights can be experienced sustainably and conveniently up and down the mountain. For the approximately 90 employees, the guest is at the centre of their thoughts and actions. Through their enthusiasm for the alpine-urban area, they convey to their guests what their own hearts beat for and thus create unforgettable holiday experiences in harmony with people and nature time and time again. With a total of 13 tourism information centres, Innsbruck Tourism is close to its guests, right in the middle of the action and with its finger on the pulse - a hub for authentic stories and personal impressions of local characters, which can be found on the popular blog and social channels under #myinnsbruck.

Further links:

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