Innsbruck region - where hiking is also at home in winter

Updated 03.01.2023

Hiking is one of the favourite pastimes of the people of Innsbruck in summer. But mountain enthusiasts are also lacing up their hiking boots more and more often in winter. For walks through the snow-covered city, gentle hikes through the wintry landscape or for more challenging tours through the snow. Hiking in winter in the Innsbruck region shows itself in four facets. The right companions: the Innsbruck Card and the Welcome Card.

1. Winter city walk against a fantastic mountain backdrop

Discovering new paths is easy in Innsbruck: the "Walks to explore", seven themed city walks, take city walkers up and down Innsbruck. Out of the hustle and bustle, into the experience. Between the old town and the Nordkette, through the historic district of Anpruggen or through the young trendy districts. Here you can discover the impressive diversity of the city for yourself. Well-known and hidden sights, familiar and secret corners. The Habsburg Walk makes you feel almost imperial: this special walk takes you to Innsbruck's most important sights with an imperial-historical background. This walk can be explored individually, but in the best company of the Innsbruck Card: Valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours, the card includes one-time admission to all museums and sights along the Habsburg Walk as well as other experiences. How about a visit to the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens or a ride on the Innsbruck Nordkettenbahnen?

Tip: Innsbruck offers a wide range of themed tours with exciting stories, interesting facts and amusing anecdotes. The guides lead you through the city and straight into the experience.

2. Those who like hiking in summer will love winter hiking

Analogous to hiking in the warmer half of the year, all mountain lovers also need appropriate equipment and planning in advance for winter hiking. Good to know: the wintry voyage of discovery always takes place on prepared trails, magenta-coloured signs show the way and rest stops are faithful companions. A total of 67 kilometres of winter hiking trails are available in the Innsbruck region. Equipped with sturdy shoes and functional, weatherproof clothing, you are ready to go! Because hiking is simply more fun when accompanied, the winter activity programme of the free Welcome Card guest card offers guided tours with local guides. From leisurely to more challenging. Across the Mieminger Plateau or at the foot of the Nordkette.

3. Snowshoeing - the supreme discipline

Lonely, untouched and sparkling white. When snowshoeing, nature lovers immerse themselves in the winter mountain world. They go cross-country on snowshoes through unprepared terrain. Snowshoeing is most fun in fresh powder snow, when snow crystals glisten on every branch and the fluffy white carpet crunches under your shoes. As with every discovery tour through nature, the same applies here: Appropriate equipment, good planning and a certain level of physical fitness are the be-all and end-all. If you would like to try out the sport or just like to explore the winter wonderland of the Innsbruck region in company, it is best to take part in the winter activity programme. The guided snowshoe tours are included in the free Welcome Card.

4. Hike up, toboggan down

Tobogganing - or sledging, as it is called in some places - has developed from an original winter mode of transport into a fun leisure activity for young and old alike. Many of the toboggan runs in the Innsbruck region are reached by toboggan fans after a leisurely climb through the wintry landscape. Before heading downhill on the toboggan, many of the toboggan runs invite you to stop off at rustic huts and mountain restaurants. Recharge your batteries and: On your marks, get set, toboggan!

Tip: The Welcome Card guest card includes a free ascent and descent with the Oberperfuss cable cars, including toboggan transport. With the lift and a short hike, over eight kilometres of tobogganing fun await you.

About Innsbruck Tourism

Innsbruck Tourism is the official destination management organisation of the Innsbruck region, which stretches from the Tyrolean capital over 40 towns in its surrounding area - from the Inn Valley to the Mieminger Plateau via Kühtai to the Sellrain Valley. With almost 3.5 million overnight stays annually (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 mountains. Diverse city flair and sightseeing are only 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 boundless diversity of the region: with the free use of public transport, up and across numerous highlights can be experienced sustainably and comfortably. 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 heart beats for, and thus prepare unforgettable holiday experiences in harmony with man and nature time and again. With its total of 12 tourism information sites, Innsbruck Tourism is close to its guests, 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.