Get active! 5 guided hiking and e-bike tours to take this summer

The summer activity program in the Innsbruck region features several excellent hiking and e-bike tours. Trained guides accompany participants on forays through nature whilst imparting their passion for the mountains.

Here five guides describe five tours you can take this summer. Happy hiking and biking!

„Out of the city, into the mountains“ is the theme of this hike, guided by Christian „Gigi“ Ahrer, a certified mountain hiking guide for over eight years. The hike starts at the heart of the pulsating old town and concludes on the alpine meadows of the nearby Hungerburg. The tour first runs along the river Inn, then up through forest trails to Hungerburg and finally to the nearby Arzler Alm, a well known Innsbruck guesthouse. „My guests are not usually typical hikers,“ says the Innsbruck-native. „It’s more that they are curious and want to combine their stay in Innsbruck with something active. The main thing is that they enjoy it,“ he states.

For Gigi, the motivation lies in seeing the happy faces of his fellow hikers. „Within just a few hours, they experience both the city and the mountains and are able to take a piece of the alpine-urban lifestyle home with them,“ he says.

The meeting point for the „Three Lakes Tour“ with Christine Misslinger is over 2,000 metres above sea level in the village of Kühtai, around 35 kilometres from Innsbruck. As the hike does not ascend many metres due to the high starting altitude, it’s fairly easy and thus suitable for families. „Kühtai is so laid-back,“ says Christine. „Glistening mountain lakes, impressive mountain landscapes and beautiful flora – there’s something for everyone.“

Misslinger knows the place so well, having worked as a guide in the area for several years. „Of course, Kühtai is in great demand in winter, thanks to the snow-filled slopes,“ she explains. But early summer, when the alpine roses are in bloom, is a magical time to take the circular three lakes tour (Hirschebensee, Mittlerer Plenderlesee and Finstertal reservoir). The views of the surrounding peaks are breathtaking.

Born in Upper Austria, Matthias Mair is now happily settled in Tirol, more precisely in Oberperfuss (around 15 kilometres from central Innsbruck) at the foot of the mighty Rangger Köpfl mountain. This is where he spreads the joy he feels for his adopted home by taking people to the top of his local peak. „There really is a lot to discover here,“ says Mair. „Whether it’s the many stations for children or the incredible views – this hike is always inspiring.“ It’s a moderately difficult hike to the 2,195 metre high „Köpfl“, but one that’s well worth it for the views and photo-opportunities. In addition to the great view of the Inn Valley, you can also see several 3.000 metre-plus peaks in the Stubai valley.

If that all sounds a bit intimidating, don’t worry, you don’t have to climb the whole thing! You can take a cable car to the top station. From there, there is still another 600 metres to hike before reaching the summit.

By the way: The trip with the Oberperfuss mountain railway is included in the free Welcome Card for the Innsbruck region for stays of three nights or more.

Hunter Philipp Stern always has an eye on the local animals in the Lüsens area. All year round there’s a ton of stuff to do. Philipp’s varied tasks range from feeding in the winter to building stands for hunting. „I actually travel here virtually every day. I can’t leave the animals on their own for too long,“ he says. The meeting point for the approximately two-hour, easy-to-manage hike is at the Gasthof (Guesthouse) Lüsens, around 30 kilometres from Innsbruck. On this hike, you’ll hear plenty about Philipp’s passion for hunting, at the same time learning about the care and maintenance of the majestic wildlife in the area. „And who knows, maybe you will spot one or two animals yourself,“ he says.

This e-bike tour with Robert Marthe takes you on predominantly flat paths through meadows and fields and past beautiful forests, from Obsteig via Mieming to Wildermieming and back. You always have a view of the surrounding mountains on the Mieming plateau, an area famous for its long hours of sunshine. It’s around 35 kilometres from Innsbruck.

Robert responds individually to the wishes of the group, provides background information about his homeland and shows the guests where they can pick up a snack or, if they’d prefer, schnapps. But his focus is always on his enthusiasm for cycling: „The most rewarding way to ‚experience‘ a landscape is probably to move at a speed that allows your eyes and mind to travel with you!“ states the website of his charming guesthouse in Obsteig. You also can rent e-bikes there.

The free Welcome Card guest card is required to take part in the summer activity program, which includes all of the tours featured here and numerous others. Guests in the Innsbruck region receive these for stays of two nights or more at selected partner hotels and accommodation providers. 

For more information go to the Innsbruck summer activity program.

Photo credits: © Innsbruck Tourismus / Kathrin Baumann, Innsbruck Tourismus / Daniel Zangerl, EARLA OG (2), Robert Marthe