Need to cool off? The best places for hot days

In summer, the ideal time to go in search of cool water is before the sun has reached its full strength. There are numerous spots in and around Innsbruck where even high temperatures can be endured. Here are my best places for hot days.

Heat doesn't exactly have a positive effect on personal patience, at least that's the case for me. That's why I got on my bike and went to cool places that are easy, quick and cheap to get to. What you can't do without: sunscreen, plenty of fluids and some planning to avoid the hottest part of the day. You should also check the weather forecast, as staying in gorges and ravines can quickly become uncomfortable or even dangerous, especially in summer when thunderstorms are the order of the day. In the heat, however, they become a pleasant shady spot for summer refreshment.

Three places not only offer relaxing temperatures, but also something for the eye. Let me introduce: the Ehnbachklamm gorge and climbing area, the Sillschlucht gorge and the Mühlauer Klamm gorge.

The Ehnbachklamm gorge is the longest of the options on offer, but has proven to be well suited for a bike trip. It is located just outside Zirl, a village a few kilometers west of Innsbruck. If you don't want to come by bike, you can easily reach Zirl by train or bus. The path through the gorge is well secured and leads along the rushing stream to an impressive barrier wall, where you can marvel at a waterfall. On the left half of the wall there is a series of steps that lead to the highlight of the Ehnbachklamm gorge: the heart of the climbing area. Some of you may have already noticed on the way that there are shiny bolts on the rock faces and climbing enthusiasts shimmying their way up.

Above the barrier wall, the stream bed stretches flat and wide, with numerous meandering side arms. Not only are most of the climbing routes to be found here, but also shady trees, caves in the rocks and shallow water, which you can venture into depending on your tolerance for the cold. If you still haven't had enough, you can follow the path deeper into the gorge and head left to the Kalvarienberg church. It offers an excellent view over the Inn Valley. Conveniently, a path leads from here directly back to the entrance of the gorge.

Read more about refreshing gorge hikes from my fellow blogger Danijel. Or check out what Lea has written about climbing in the Ehnbachklamm gorge.

The Sill Gorge begins just behind the Bergisel and can therefore be easily combined with a visit to the Tirol Panorama including the giant circular painting or the ski jump. It is easy to reach by bike, streetcar or bus and offers, at least in the front section, the most level path in this category.
Turn left past the grim statue of Andreas Hofer, across the parking lot and once up the hill: you are already on the path that leads along the mostly pastel blue Sill. Along the way, there are not only the overgrown rock faces and the play of the water to marvel at, but also easy access points down to the river. If you are particularly hardy, you can even take a few dips in the cold water along a wide section of the riverbed. The path ends quickly on the right, but on the left it leads further and further into the gorge.

Less frequented than Ehnbachklamm and Sillschlucht is Mühlauer Klamm, which lies above the district of Mühlau: It is actually a pretty Tyrolean village that is now part of Innsbruck. It is quite easy to find: a striking rock face with a viewpoint rises up on the right-hand side. There are various ways to get there, but I personally like the one that starts to the left of the cemetery the best. This path (which can be a little muddy depending on the weather) takes you past the Fuchsloch, a wonderful biotope, and the remains of Tyrol's first hydroelectric power station. Keep right along the Mühlau stream until you come to a tarmac road again. Here you switch to the left side of the stream and can enjoy the rooty path through the gorge.

The stream is particularly beautiful in the shallow area below the Teufelskanzel, a huge rock surrounded by water and crowned by a table with benches and an extraordinarily faded Tyrolean flag. Cross the bridge to the left side of the stream again and follow the path to a huge avalanche barrier. A hunting lodge clings to the rock above it on the right. The somewhat bizarre sight is worth the extra walk.

Of course, it doesn't have to be an adventure and a moderately difficult "jungle" in a gorge to cool off. The Tivoli outdoor pool is centrally located and easy to reach by all means of transport. Five swimming pools, a diving tower, a playground and a spacious sunbathing lawn with numerous trees offer cooling, entertainment and relaxation. The Tivoli joins the Baggersee and Lanser See lakes in the range of paid facilities. If you want to spend even more time in the area, there is another playground directly to the south and the nearby Rapoldipark invites you to walk, play and relax by the Sill.

The two bathing lakes in my selection offer cooling off and comfortable sunbathing areas: The Baggersee in Innsbruck and the Lanser See in the south offer plenty of space in the water. Perfect for a swim.

The Quarry pond is located in the east of Innsbruck and is easily accessible by bike and bus. Sunbathing lawns, wooden loungers and jetties invite you to sunbathe. If you prefer to be in the shade, look for a spot under the trees. The water has pleasant temperatures and features a floating island and moored orange buoys: excellent markers if you want to swim a few more lengths.

Near the northern shore, a pile sticks out of the water, with which dozens of others besides me probably have a score to settle. Depending on the water level, it is surprisingly difficult to climb and therefore a welcome challenge. If you haven't exhausted yourself in the water yet, you can keep moving on land: Volleyball courts, a children's playground, a small boccia court or - my favorite - the movement park full of obstacles that require skill and strength. Thanks to the catering outlets, there is plenty to eat and drink, both inside and outside the grounds. The Deck 47 restaurant is right next door, and a few minutes' walk away, Tomaselli sells ice cream to cool off inside. Admission is free from 6 p.m., ideal for balmy summer evenings.

If you like to travel a little by bus, streetcar or bike, you can start from the Lake Lans enjoy the magnificent view of the Patscherkofel. The lush green moorland water is surrounded by sunbathing lawns and wooden loungers, and you can take a break on the floating island in the middle before swimming your laps again. The diving platform and the coveted surfboards provide variety. The Koi Bar and its Japanese fusion cuisine provide the same culinary experience. There are also classic snacks at the kiosk by the lake.

When it comes to cooling off, the Inn is of course a must! It is always a few degrees cooler on its banks than between the houses, even in the busy area around the market square. Due to its power and current, the river should be approached with caution, but there are areas where it is somewhat tamer. There are shallow stretches that invite you to linger, for example at the Rimmelwiese meadow below Kranebitten, on the Inn beach near the airport, on the sandy beach opposite or at the mouth of the Sill. Upstream Surfing has its base near the Inn beach: if you want to get to know Innsbruck's biggest landmark from your surfboard, you have plenty of opportunity to do so here.

Sometimes a quick shower is enough to feel refreshed again. If you don't mind continuing your walk with wet clothes, we recommend the fountain to the left of the Landestheater. This curtain of water is perfect for briefly cooling your forearms or head. If you get your cell phone and other bag contents to safety in time, you can also jump right through it - cooling off could hardly be quicker.

The Inn can be surprisingly busy at times. Several sports take place on the river, from the aforementioned upstream surfing to rafting and paddling. From my own experience, I can say that marveling at the Imst Gorge from a kayak is as impressive as it is nerve-wracking. If things don't go as planned or additional safety measures need to be taken, the Innsbruck Water Rescue Service is on hand and their drills can be observed from time to time.

It's not just people who frolic by the water - an astonishing variety of animals also call the Inn their home. Two of Innsbruck's four beaver families live on the Inn and leave their tracks on the trees along the banks. In the Kranebitter Inn floodplains alone, 92 species of breeding birds nest, and various migratory birds also make a stopover. With a bit of luck, ducks, swans and cormorants can be observed at the mouth of the Sill or near the quarry pond. Below the surface, the population is somewhat sparser, but four different species of fish still call the Inn their home.