Feeling high!
Winter sun instead of foggy grey, snow-capped peaks and plenty of fresh air to breathe in – the Innsbruck region is ideal for savouring this winter fairytale experience. A total of 67 kilometres of winter hiking trails run through the varied terrain, proving that hiking is not just a summer activity. Winter hiking is without doubt a relaxing and healthy experience to inspire nature lovers and connoisseurs alike, not only stimulating the cardiovascular system, but also making the heart leap for joy at the sight of the unique alpine-urban backdrop. Every winter voyage of discovery follows well-prepared routes to the region’s most attractive spots. The start and finish of each route are both well signposted, with plenty of places to stop and take a break along the way. One very useful side-effect is that, if you spend at least an hour out and about in the fresh air, the winter sports effect unobtrusively kicks in.
So let’s go! Whether on a leisurely hike over the vast and sun-drenched Mieming Plateau or surrounded by the high Alpine scenery above the mountaineering villages of the Sellraintal valley, here you can enjoy a break in an idyllic and impressive winter wonderland. To inhale a little more mountain air, it is best to begin your winter hike with a picturesque gondola ride to a starting point higher up: the Rangger Köpfl in Oberperfuss is the site of two new winter hiking trails, with breathtaking views over the surrounding mountains from a fabulously sunny location. And, best of all, the ride on this and other lift facilities is included in the Welcome Card for guests, offered free of charge to those staying two or more nights at partner establishments in the region. The Card also permits free travel on all public transport in the Innsbruck region, allowing easy and comfortable access to all the region’s winter hiking trails even without a car.
There is a vast programme of winter and snowshoe hikes to choose from should you want to go winter hiking with a guide. Here, too, the Welcome Card offers participation at no charge, with free public transport to the appropriate starting point.
A city where “relax” is whispered
Even in the city you can also enjoy a winter fairytale! Straight out of a picture-book, the colourful houses on the Inn promenade contrast with the snow-capped peaks of the imposing Nordkette range. The charm of Innsbruck, so far removed from the hurly-burly of the big city, is particularly noticeable on a walk through its winding alleyways and attractive shopping streets, not to mention its impressive cultural landscape: the outstanding galleries and museums are just right for an artistic break where you can leave behind the everyday for a while.
Innsbruck’s unique alpine-urban diversity can be seen in an individual and relaxed manner on the “Walks to explore”, seven thematic walks that offer different perspectives of the city. They take less-trodden paths through Innsbruck, away from the hustle and bustle and into a world of experience. An ideal seasonal tour is the city walk to the Christmas markets of Innsbruck’s Christmas in the Mountains, when the city takes on an atmospheric, pre-Christmas spirit between November and December.
A real highlight that should on no account be missed this winter is LUMAGICA Innsbruck. From 5 November 2021 to 9 January 2022, the Light Park in the Imperial Gardens will be enchanting visitors with magical light creatures, interactive light productions and more abstract video projections synchronised with music. Over 300 light objects are waiting to be discovered against the wintry natural backdrop, including majestic beasts and cute little forest dwellers, not to mention newly designed light installations inspired by faraway lands.
Treat yourself!
When there is a wintry cold outside, wellness and spa treatments are ideal for warming the body and relaxing the mind. Luckily, you can indulge yourself with special breaks in the Innsbruck region, for example with the typical local scent of pine and the soothing views of the natural Alpine world from the saunas and steam baths of exclusive wellness hotels. Stress and tension are quickly forgotten, while the special effects of massages and treatments have soothing and long-lasting effects: this is thanks to certified organic care lines based upon recipes that have been tried and tested for centuries. And, best of all, the wide range of day spa offers means you can also treat yourself as a day guest of the Innsbruck wellness hotels!
What keeps body and soul together can only be helpful in recuperation. The Innsbruck region therefore emphasises the importance of culinary delights and pleasures. One thing is clear: eating food that is both tasty and healthy is easily done. The local restaurants and inns offer a variety of suitable offers, ranging from “Energy Cuisine”, a concept that provides culinary taste explosions while providing the body with valuable nutrients, to international creations and down-to-earth local cooking with its hearty variants. Traditional specialties such as Knödelsuppe (dumpling soup), Schlutzkrapfen (pasta pockets) or Kaiserschmarrn (sweet pancakes) all taste twice as good when savoured right after a winter hike or a stroll through the snowy streets of Innsbruck.
And because, after an enjoyable day out, relaxation does not simply stop and a restful night is a prerequisite for sustained recovery, there are numerous accommodation choices in the Innsbruck region where sleep will come easy. Cosily rustic bedrooms lined with pinewood in charming guesthouses or in idyllic dwellings ensure a well-deserved night’s rest; design hotels and the famed wellness hotels are stylish places to enjoy your holiday slumbers.
About Innsbruck Tourismus
Innsbruck Tourismus is the official destination management organisation of the Innsbruck region which extends from the Tyrolean capital to more than 40 surrounding towns – from the Inn Valley to the Mieming Plateau, and from Kühtai to the Sellraintal valley. With almost 3.5 million overnight stays and 4 million day trippers in 2019, the Innsbruck region is one of the largest tourist attractions in Austria and a unique symbiosis of vibrant urban space and fascinating mountain world. One moment you’re enjoying sightseeing and the buzz of a diverse city, the next you’re off on your next cycling or hiking tour, or your next skiing or winter hiking experience. The free Welcome Card for visitors is the key that unlocks the region’s endless diversity, granting free use of public transport and making it easy to experience all sorts of wonderful highlights in a sustainable way. Innsbruck Tourismus has a staff of some 90 employees, and visitors are the focus of their every thought and action. Inspired by their passion for this alpine-urban space, they share their knowledge and love of the area with visitors so that they can enjoy an unforgettable holiday experience in harmony with people and nature. With a total of 13 information offices, Innsbruck Tourismus is always close at hand, right at the heart of the action and with its finger on the pulse – a hub and focal point for local characters’ authentic stories and personal impressions which can be found on the popular blog and social channels at #myinnsbruck.
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