Innsbruck and its surrounding region combines alpine nature and urban living like few other places.

Straight from the ski pistes to the opera house – Innsbruck, the regional capital of Tirol, offers a unique combination of urban living and alpine nature. It is home to 127,000 inhabitants and regularly hosts major events such as the Tanzsommer dance festival and the Christkindlmarkt advent markets in the run-up to Christmas. Known beyond the borders of Tirol as the Capital of the Alps, Innsbruck lies in the wide Inntal Valley between the mighty Nordkette mountains of the Karwendel Massif to the north and the Stubai and Tux Alps to the south. This university city, host of the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976 as well as the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012, has many students and a lively nightlife and arts scene. Tourists are drawn to the medieval old town with its famous Golden Roof and Maria-Theresien-Straße as well as to the nearby museums and the Hofburg, a former imperial palace once used by the Habsburgs.

Hiking in and around Innsbruck

Steep trails through alpine terrain, but also family-friendly routes for all ages – when it comes to walking and hiking, the region around Innsbruck offers something for everyone. The Nordkette Mountains in the Karwendel Massif, the Stubai Alps and the Tux Alps provide a spectacular backdrop.

There are many places around Innsbruck from which to admire the region capital of Tirol from above. For example, the 2,246-metre-high Patscherkofel mountain south of the city can be reached quickly and easily using the cable car. The top station of the cable car is also the starting point for stage 13 of the Eagle Walk. This stage takes hikers through the Tux Alps and a centuries-old pinewood forest to the Tulfeinalm. On the opposite side of the valley, to the north of Innsbruck, the craggy peaks of the Nordkette Mountains offer a breathtaking panorama. These too can be accessed without having to break a sweat thanks to the Nordkettenbahn funicular and cable car taking passengers from the city centre all the way up to the Hafelekar ridge, where fabulous views of the Lower Inn Valley await. It is also a good starting point for exploring the Karwendel Nature Park. A little further away, south-west of Innsbruck, the Sellraintal Valley winds its way through the Stubai Alps. This area is particularly popular among families with children. Highlights include the buggy-friendly walk up to the Gleirschalm hut and the easy walk to the Juifenalm hut near Gries im Sellrain.

Mountain Biking in and around Innsbruck

The regional capital Innsbruck and its surrounding villages are an ideal base camp for mountain bikers of all ages, interests and abilities.

The regional capital of Tirol and the surrounding region are a haven for cyclists – be it cruising the smooth roads or riding the twisting trails. One of the most popular activities among visitors and locals alike is mountain biking. Highlights in and around Innsbruck include the Bikepark Innsbruck in the villages of Mutters and Götzens to the south of the city as well as the infamously challenging singletrack trail in the Nordkette mountains to the north. Little wonder, then, that Innsbruck has made a name for itself in the international mountain bike scene by hosting top events such as Crankworx. Riders who prefer longer but less extreme rides will find plenty of options in the region around the city. Last but not least, Innsbruck has an outstanding infrastructure for cyclists, including plenty of specialist shops where visitors can hire roadbikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes and city bikes.

Tip! The Bike City Card gives holders access to all the singletrack trails around Innsbruck, including unlimited use of the cable cars.

Cycling in Innsbruck & its Village Resorts

Tirol’s lovely capital Innsbruck has a culture that celebrates all things bicycle with exuberance, including a wealth of rentals.

Scenic byways meander through breathtaking sceneries and take you to the lovely village resorts in the environs of Innsbruck. The Taste of Place Route, for example, follows the Inn River from Inzing to Innsbruck and embraces a flat and leisurely pace, where stopping to sample the bounty of the area's finest produce is strongly encouraged: 26 stations offer finest locally sourced specialties, from honey to schnapps. Apart from sports activities and mouth-watering Tirolean fare, Innsbruck offers a wealth of cultural sights and attractions. Architectural gems such as the historic old town district with the famous Golden Roof, the Imperial Palace, and the City Tower lurk around every corner.

Climbing in and around Innsbruck

Innsbruck is not only the seat of the regional government – it is also the climbing capital of Tirol!

As well as the Innsbruck Climbing Centre, where amatuers and pros train all year round, the mountains around Innsbruck provide spectacular climbing on routes such as the famous via ferrata along the ridge of the Nordkette mountains or in the many sport climbing areas with hundreds of pitches. From bouldering centres to multi-pitch routes in high alpine terrain, easy climbing for beginners to frozen waterfalls for ice climbing in winter – Innsbruck and the surrounding region is a haven for climbers of all abilities and interests.

Sport climbing in the region around Innsbruck

Innsbruck is home to a huge range of climbing areas with many different routes. New additions include the Sonnendeck and Seegrube in the Nordkette mountains (over 2,000m), which also have routes suitable for beginners. More experienced climbers will enjoy the 150 routes in the "Dschungelbuch" climbing area at the Martinswand rockface, which can also be climbed in winter thanks to its south-facing position. The Arzbergklamm gorge, Locherboden and the Ehnbachklamm gorge are three more areas close to Innsbruck with climbing for all abilities.

Multi-pitch routes in the region around Innsbruck

Of the four areas with long climbs, the Kletterarena Seegrube is the easiest to reach from Innsbruck. The combination of funicular and cable car means the journey from the heart of the city in the heart of the mountains takes just 20 minutes. Another plus is the fabulous view of the city far below. Climbers wishing to get away from the urban sprawl should head for the Hohe Munde mountain near Telfs. The Ehnbachklamm gorge has some excellent multi-pitch climbing on routes bearing interesting names such as "Studiumsverzögerungsbestätigung" ("Confirmation of Delayed Studies").

Via ferrata climbing routes in the region around Innsbruck

The long Adlerklettersteig via ferrata on the Karkopf in Mieming and the popular Innsbrucker Klettersteig via ferrata on the ridge of the Nordkette mountains above Innsbruck are two of the most popular high-alpine via ferrata in the region. Expert climbers can take on the Kaiser-Max-Klettersteig, which has sections rated E (very difficult) on the international scale. Near the village of Silz there is the Fun-Klettersteig Crazy Eddy, which includes a rope bridge and a huge spider's web.

Climbing centres in the region around Innsbruck

Innsbruck has several climbing centres particularly popular in winter. The highlight is the new Kletterzentrum Innsbruck, opened in 2017, where several international climbing teams train. Outside the regional capital, there is the "Bergstation" climbing centre in Telfs covering 130 square metres, including a large bouldering area. There is also a climbing centre in Mieming and a small climbing wall in Kühtai.

Climbing for families in the region around Innsbruck

Most of the 72 routes drilled into the limestone of the Arzbergklamm climbing area near Telfs are suitable for children and beginners. Another option for families is Locherboden on the Mieming Plateau. This area is excellent for those with little or no experience of rock climbing.