Innsbruck sits at the heart of the Austrian Tirol, surrounded by some of the finest mountain terrain in the Alps. Within easy reach of the city lie high alpine peaks, via ferrata routes, sport climbing crags, mountain biking trails, wilderness hiking paths and the rugged landscapes of the Karwendel — all accessible by public transport directly from the city centre.

This Cicerone guidebook by Sharon Boscoe covers 60 summer mountain adventures around Innsbruck, spanning the full range of outdoor activities the region has to offer. From gentle family walks and alpine hut days to low-grade mountaineering and adrenaline-filled descents, it is the ideal companion for a multi-activity holiday in the capital of the Tirol.

• The 60 routes cover day walks, adventure walks and scrambles, overnight hut walks, alpine mountaineering, sport climbing, via ferratas, mountain biking, road cycling, city and trail running, and family activities — all within reach of Innsbruck
• Walking highlights include the Zirbenweg and Wilderwasserweg hiking trails, the Brandjochspitze ridge scramble, the Nordkette and Karwendel traverses, and sections of the Adlerweg (Eagle Trail)
• Mountaineering routes include ascents of Wildspitze, the highest peak in Tirol, and Wilder Freiger, alongside the Innsbrucker klettersteig via ferrata and sport climbing crags at Arzbergklamm, Engelswand and Rofan
• Mountain biking highlights include the Nordkette singletrail and the Karwendel loop, while road cyclists can tackle the Mieminger Plateau and the Gnadenwald loop; family highlights include the Kugelwald Adventure World and the Ghost Trail at Oberperfuss
• Route descriptions are illustrated with maps, elevation profiles and photo topos, with practical advice on transport, accommodation and equipment; almost all activities are accessible by public transport from Innsbruck

Whether you're planning a mixed-activity alpine holiday or looking for the best the region has to offer, this is the complete guide to summer adventures around Innsbruck.

Innsbruck Mountain Adventures - Quick Facts

Routes: 60 summer mountain adventures 
Activities covered: Day walks, scrambles, overnight hut walks, alpine mountaineering, sport climbing, via ferratas, mountain biking, road cycling, city and trail running, family activities 
Key highlights: Zirbenweg, Wilderwasserweg, Brandjochspitze, Nordkette traverse, Karwendel traverse, Wildspitze, Wilder Freiger, Innsbrucker klettersteig, Nordkette singletrail, Karwendel loop, Kugelwald Adventure World 
Areas covered: Innsbruck city and surroundings; Stubaital, Ötztal, Kühtai, Seefeld, Achensee 
Difficulty: Easy family walks to low-grade alpine mountaineering; some climbing and biking activities require previous experience and specialist equipment 
Transport: Almost all activities accessible by public transport from Innsbruck 
Route information: Maps, elevation profiles and photo topos included for each route 
Practical information: Transport, accommodation and equipment advice throughout 
Best season: Summer; July and August can be very hot; September and October are often the best months; note lift-dependent routes are subject to operating schedules

Author Highlight

“Innsbruck is fondly known as the ‘Capital of the Alps’, and understandably so. Its superb geographical location means that Innsbruck is a mere stone’s throw from a long list of European hotspots: the Dolomites, Lake Garda, Munich, Graz and Salzburg, to name but a few, as well as being in startlingly close proximity to some of the most accessible and picturesque mountains the Alps have to offer.”

- Sharon Boscoe, author of Innsbruck Mountain Adventures

Map key
Regional overview map
Innsbruck city map
Overview map: walks and family activities
Overview map: adventure walks and scrambles, alpine mountaineering, sport climbing and via ferratas
Overview map: cycling and running routes

Introduction
History of the region
Geography and geology
Plants and wildlife
Art and culture
Other activities
Getting there and getting around
When to go
Accommodation
Tourist information
Language
Health and safety
Mountain guides
Using this guide

Walking
Day walks
Route 1    Innsbrucker Almenweg
Route 2    Zirbenweg
Route 3    Grawa waterfall
Route 4    Dreiseen hiking trail
Route 5    Elferhütte
Route 6    Three lakes, Seefeld Plateau
Route 7    Arzler Alm
Route 8    Aldranser Alm
Route 9    Bodenstein Alm
Route 10    Kreither Alm
Adventure walks and scrambles
Route 11    Wildewasserweg
Route 12    Südlicher and Nordlicher Polleskogel
Route 13    Glungezer klettersteig
Route 14    Brandjochspitze
Route 15    Nordgrat–Vordere Sommerwand
Route 16    Nordgrat Zwölferkogel
Overnight hut walks
Route 17    Halltal hike
Route 18    Nordkette traverse
Route 19    Karwendel traverse
Route 20    Rofan Range hike

Alpine mountaineering
Route 21    Habicht
Route 22    Wilder Freiger
Route 23    Zuckerhütl
Route 24    Wildspitze

Sport climbing
Route 25    Arzbergklamm
Route 26    OeAV klettergarten
Route 27    Engelswand
Route 28    Rofan cragging, Achensee
Route 29    Klettergarten Oetz
Route 30    Emmentaler multi-pitch

Via ferratas
Route 31    Innsbrucker klettersteig
Route 32    Achensee 5 Gipfel
Route 33    Crazy Eddy klettersteig
Route 34    Peter Kofler klettersteig
Route 35    Ochsenwand/Schlicker klettersteig
Route 36    Geierwand klettersteig
Route 37    Kühtai Panorama klettersteig
Route 38    Absamer klettersteig (plus Westgrat and Eisengattergrat klettersteig)

Mountain biking
Route 39    Nordkette singletrail
Route 40    Karwendel loop
Route 41    Rinn to the Rinner Alm
Route 42    Aldrans to Aldranser Alm
Route 43    Maria Waldrast tour
Route 44    Mutters loop

Road cycling
Route 45    Gnadenwald Plateau
Route 46    Innsbruck loop
Route 47    Igls loop
Route 48    Innsbruck to the Mieminger Plateau
Route 49    Innsbruck – Telfs – Innsbruck

City and trail running
Route 50    Brücken Runde
Route 51    Bergisel-Lauf city run
Route 52    Sill-Inn-Schleife
Route 53    Wolfele-Wilde-weg
Route 54    Mühlau Runde

Family activities
Route 55    Wusel lake trail, Achensee
Route 56    Ghost trail, Oberperfuss
Route 57    Scheibenweg trail
Route 58    Kugelwald Adventure World, Glungezer
Route 59    Patscherkofel summit path
Route 60    Piburgersee

Appendix A    Route summary tables
Appendix B    Useful contacts
Appendix C    Glossary
Appendix D    Index of routes by location

Seasons

The guide covers summer activities. July and August can get very hot and some routes may still be snow-covered in early spring. Autumn is a wonderful time of year in the Alps, with September and October often being the best months. Note however that the routes requiring lift access will be dependent on operating schedules.

Centres

All the activities are based around Innsbruck city, with many routes starting from the city itself. Other valleys and towns covered include the Stubaital, the Öztal, Kühtai, Seefeld and Achensee.

Difficulty

The routes included here are not aimed at experts, but instead aim to encompass something for everyone. The activities range from easy days out for the whole family to low-grade alpine mountaineering. Some of the climbing and biking activities may require some previous experience and specialist equipment.

Must See

The Zirbenweg and Wilderwasserweg hiking trails; Brandjochspitze ridge scramble; Nordkette singletrail downhill mountain-biking track; Innsbrucker klettersteig via ferrata; sections of the Adlerweg (Eagle Trail) hiking path and the Bike Trail Tirol; ascents of Wildspitze (Tirol's highest peak) and Wilder Freiger; numerous superb mountain huts providing welcome refreshment and unbeatable views; the rugged wilderness of the Karwendel; Kugelwald (a giant outdoor marble-run)

August 2022

Karwendel Traverse (Route 19)

Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.