Short Easy Hikes Around Innsbruck (with GPS Tracks)
Disclaimer: The information on this blog is for informational purposes only. These outdoor activities involve inherent risks, and conditions may change. I am not responsible for any injuries, losses, or damages resulting from the use of this information. Undertaking these activities without proper experience, equipment, or a qualified guide can be dangerous. Always assess your skill level, check local conditions, and proceed at your own risk.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase though my links, at no additional cost to you, which I’ll probably spend on more outdoor gear and travel to cool places.
Table of Contents
Innsbruck has a reputation as being a hub for extreme adventure sports in the centre of the Austrian Alps (which it is), which can be quite intimidating if you’re not someone who hikes regularly. But you don’t have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy many of the trails around Innsbruck.
In this guide, I want to share my personal favourites for easy to moderate hikes around Innsbruck. While I acknowledge that what is considered an easy hike is somewhat subjective, in this post, I’ve rated hikes as easy if they are relatively short, have minimal elevation gain or loss, or have wider trails suitable for a pushchair.
Most of these hikes can be accessed easily with public transport from the city, meaning you can enjoy a car-free day in the mountains and support a more sustainable way of travelling.
Hikes from Innsbruck City Centre
Bergisel Panorama Trail
The Bergisel Circular Trail is a well-marked loop in Innsbruck that offers a relaxed walk through wooded paths and quiet city suburbs. The route begins opposite the Stiftskirche Wilten, at the Bergisel tram station, and leads up past the Bergisel Ski Jump, featuring a standout viewing platform overlooking the dramatic Sillschlucht gorge, where the Sill River cuts deeply through the landscape below. With continuous forest scenery, glimpses of the city, and a strong sense of local history, the trail provides an engaging yet accessible experience on the Bergisel plateau without leaving the city surroundings.
This easy hike is a great hike to combine with a visit to the Bergisel ski jump stadium and the Tirol Panorama Museum.
Distance: → 3 km
Elevation gain/loss: ↑ 110m ↓110m
Approx. Hiking time: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Arzler Alm & Umbrüggler Alm
This hike is great if you want to escape the city and head up into the alpine pastures right above Innsbruck. Take the Nordkettenbahn funicular up to the station Hungerburg, or ride the Bus J to the final Nordkette Hungerburg stop. From here, the hike takes you up into the mountain pastures, where you’re likely to meet grazing animals along the way. For a shorter hike, you can turn around at the first mountain hut, the Arzler Alm, after a refreshment stop. For those who want to hike further, you can continue to the Umbrüggler Alm, known for it’s great food and welcoming atmosphere.
Distance: → 6 km
Elevation gain/loss: ↑ 330m ↓330m
Approx. Hiking time: 2.5-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Hikes Around Igls & The Patscherkofel
The Patscherkofel is known as the “house mountain” of Innsbruck. From the city centre it’s easily recognisable, with its dome-shaped peak with a red and white mast on the top. In the winter, it’s a great destination for skiing and snowshoe hiking, but in the summer, it offers even more, with lots of hiking trails to suit all ages and abilities.
You can reach the bottom lift station of the Patscherkofel from Innsbruck by taking bus J. From the city centre to the mountain takes around 20 minutes on the bus.
Zirbenweg (Stone Pine Trail)
The Zirbenweg is renowned as one of the most beautiful panoramic trails around Innsbruck. This trail takes you along a panoramic path between the mountain station of the Patscherkofel in Igls and the Glungezer in Tulfes. Along the route, you can enjoy views across to the Nordkette and along the Inn valley. Once you reach the other end, take the Glungezer cable car down and jump on the bus 540/530 back to Igls.
My favourite time to do this hike is in late June and July when the Alpenrose is flowering and the mountainside turns a bright shade of pink.
Tip: You can buy a Zirbenweg ticket for this hike that includes both cable cars and the bus between the two stations.
Distance: → 7.5 km
Elevation gain/loss: ↑ 200m ↓100m
Approx. Hiking time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy/moderate – some narrower sections with uneven ground
Patscherkofel Summit Trail
The Patscherkofel Summit Trail follows a wide gravel road from the top station of the cable car to the summit. The trail offers stunning views of Innsbruck and the Stubai Valley. At the summit, you’ll find the summit restaurant, which serves a small selection of drinks and food. To return to the cable car, follow the same trail back down. This trail is suitable for pushchairs.
Distance: → 6 km
Elevation gain/loss: ↑ 285m ↓2850m
Approx. Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Easy/moderate – wide trail but uphill all the way
For an alternative route to the summit that’s slightly more challenging, you can follow the Zirbenweg to the Boscheben hut, and from there follow a small dirt trail up to the summit. To complete the route, follow the wider gravel road of the summit trail back down. This route is more difficult and not suitable for prams due to steeper trails and uneven ground.
Jochleitensteig panoramic trail
The Jochleitensteig is a circular trail around the Patscherkofel that can be done in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction via the mountain hut Boscheben. As you exit the cable car at the top station, you can turn right and take the summit trail where you’ll turn-off on the right to the Jochleitensteig trail at the first bend, or you can turn left from the top station and follow the Zirbenweg to Boscheben, before continuing on the Jochleitensteig trail that brings you back to the Patscherkofel top station.
Distance: → 5.7 km
Elevation gain/loss: ↑ 210m ↓210m
Approx. Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate – some narrow sections with uneven ground
Alpine Botanical Garden
Just beneath the top station of the Patscherkofel cable car, you’ll find the Alpine Botanical Garden, which is part of the University of Innsbruck. While this isn’t technically a hike, if you’re looking to spend a few relaxed hours on the mountain, it’s a lovely spot to visit. The garden is free to visit, and there’s a circular trail you can follow around it where you can see different alpine plants growing.
Difficulty: Easy
Hikes Around Igls
It’s not only the Patscherkofel that offers lots of options for beautiful hikes in this area. Hikers shouldn’t overlook the beautiful trails around the base of the Patscherkofel either. Most of these hikes can be started from the village of Igls, which is a short ride on the J bus from the centre of Innsbruck. It’s also possible to take the number 6 tram which a scenic tram ride through the forests.
Useless Fun Fact: Igls is pronounced like the bird “eagles”, but in German, an Igel is actually a hedgehog!
Gletscherblick/Rosengarten
Gletscherblick translates to “Glacier View” and that’s exactly what you get on this beautiful trail that takes you out into the meadows between Igls and Patsch. As you leave the forest path and the trail opens out in front of you, you’ll be spoiled with grassy meadows and views across to the Stubai Valley and the glacier at the end. This area is known as the “Rosengarten” (although there aren’t actually any roses here), and it’s a protected area that’s only cut a couple of times a year to encourage biodiversity. In summer, you’ll be spoiled with meadows filled with wildflowers. Follow the path through the meadows and to Patsch, making a stop for some refreshments at the Grünwalderhof guesthouse before turning back to return to Igls.
Distance: → 6 km
Elevation gain/loss: ↑ 160m ↓160m
Approx. Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Lanser see & Seerosenweiher Lakes
There are multiple variations that you can do to make this beautiful hike on the sunny Igls plateau shorter or longer, depending on how you are feeling. My favourite version of this hike starts in Igls, where you take the footpath down towards Vill. Once you reach the forest edge, turn right and follow the path that hugs the treeline across the Viller Moor, where you’ll walk through meadows and across some boardwalks over the marshes that bring you to the beautiful Lanser See lake. Continue on the trail past the entrance and turn right, following the path that looks down over the lake. At the top of the hill, you have the option to turn left and hike up to the Lanserkopf, a high point with views down to Innsbruck and back across to the Patscherkofel. Alternatively, you can turn left and follow a flatter trail around the pretty Seerosenweiher lake. Continue on the trail through the forest that takes you behind the Lans golf course, and you’ll end up at the Vogelhütte cafe. Continue back along the road, heading back in the direction of the Lanser See and Igls. If you’ve got tired legs, you can jump on the tram or the bus back to Igls.
Distance: → 6 km
Elevation gain/loss: ↑ 85m ↓ 85m
Approx. Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Book a private Guided Hike
Book me as your native English-speaking hiking guide & photographer in Innsbruck and it’s surrounding villages.
