Innsbruck Rock Climbing Guide – Gardens and Boulder Spots close to the City Center
Innsbruck is one of the major citys worldwide for excellent rock climbing and bouldering. See the main spots for climbing and bouldering close to the city center in this Innsbruck Rock Climbing Guide.
Do you have a good grip on rock climbing, or are you a beginner with love and admiration for this challenging and rewarding physical activity? In Innsbruck, there are thousands of hiking and climbing routes, as Climbers’ City offers a variety of vertical opportunities for all skill levels. Within minutes, you can walk from the city center to via ferratas, climbing gardens, and climbing centers, and before you even make it down, you will have a story to tell. Mountain Moments will show you how to get there, and what to look out for climbing and photography-wise on this adventure.
The main climbing areas are on one hand on the mighty Kalkalpen (Chalk Alps) in the north and on the other hand on the almost innumerable high alpine peaks on the main ridge.
The classic climbing areas around Innsbruck, such as the Ehnbachklamm (Ehn gorge) or the Martinswand (Martin’s wall) each have more than 100 maintained routes and attract both beginners and experienced climbers again and again. In addition, the possibilities in the neighboring regions and valleys add up to a climbable route potpourri that probably no one can manage all in his earthly life.
Sport climbing areas – map, details, difficulty levels and tips
Climbing at Ehnbachklamm
The large sports climbing area in the Ehnbachklamm gorge above Zirl promises climbing pleasure in all degrees of difficulty. The more than 100 routes, divided into several sectors, offer enough choice in the lower difficulty ranges for beginners, but also tricky tours for ambitious climbers and are regularly maintained. The gorge is easily accessible by train from the station Hochzirl and yet very quiet and natural. On hot summer days, the cold mountain stream can be wonderful for refreshing athletes.
Place: Ehnbachklamm (Coord. 47.276161,11.251727)
Hike difficulty level: easy-medium (2)
The illusive Martinswand (several)
The Eldorado for outdoor climbers par excellence: countless routes on the Martinswand provide climbing pleasure in a class of its own. Due to the south-facing orientation, climbing is even possible on dry winter days. From the history-steeped Dschungelbuch climbing garden to the gallery, the Schleicherplatte and the Grottenwegwand – beginners and pros alike will be happy here.
Climbing has also been going on here for many decades, first the crack lines through the main wall and later increasingly the climbing gardens at the base of the wall. Jungle Book, Wonderful World or Sun Gallery – the routes here get a lot sun. On warm summer days, it might be better to choose the morning hours. The climbing is mostly rather technical, good footwear is an advantage. Via ferrata, easy plaisier multi-pitch or high-end sport climbing routes, the Martinswand is a Tyrolean climbing institution.
Location: Martinswand (Coord. 47.267975,11.278646)
Hike difficulty level: medium (3)
Tips: Mostly climbable year-round. Better to avoid on hot, sunny summer days.
The city mountain climb at Nordkette (several)
An adventurous hanging climber suspended high above a city vista? An advertising image that Innsbruck has been using purposefully and skillfully for decades. Whether at the fabled Sonnendeck (near Höttinger Alm), the 2018 climbing arena at Seegrube or the many steep cliffs on the Nordkette, climbers get their money’s worth here – and the view comes free.
Location: Nordkette (Coord. 47.310387,11.375742)
Hike difficulty level: medium (3)
Tips: On hot, summer sunny days, tend to avoid midday.
Bouldering
Just a cappucino distance away: Höttinger Quarry (Bouldering)
There is probably no sports climber in and around Innsbruck who has not visited the Höttinger Steinbruch at least once. Here you climb on the reddish rock breccia. The central location, virtually directly on the road and not far from a bus stop, and the large selection of routes in the lower and medium difficulty levels ensure a high frequency of outdoor climbers. The rock is accordingly worn and polished on the most popular routes.
Location: Höttinger Quarry (Coord. 47.282038,11.394335)
Hike difficulty level: easy-medium (2)
Espresso distance from the city center for bouldering: Mühlau
Above the district of Mühlau there are, not quite obvious and not always easy to reach, some boulder spots on the right and left side of the Klammbach.
Location: Climbing center (Coord. 47.291667,11.415643)
Hike difficulty level: medium (3)
The climbers meeting point: Climbing Center Innsbruck
Of course, in a city surrounded by mountains and rocks, you can’t miss a climbing center and climbing hall. In the new climbing center Innsbruck, built only in 2017, not only every man and every woman train, but also one or more world star of climbing prepares here for competitions and expeditions. Reini Scherer, alpinist, first climber of many hundreds of alpine routes in the Tyrol area and managing director of the climbing center, trains here the climbing specialists and those who want to become one. On the rare rainy days or just for a quick sport session or socializing, the “KI” is the center of the climbing world in the Northern Alps.
Location: Climbing Center (47.276405,11.413025)
Hike difficulty level: easy (1)
Photo tips for climbing
Capture the details 
Use a foreground as a frame 
nobody is perfect and the pain is part of the game in climbing 
Capture the mood of your climbing buddys 
Use depth of field for making dull every day moments special 
Shoot from above – and focus on the safety of you, your climbing buddies and your equipment. 
did we mention: go close? yes? maybe for a reason. 
Combine depth of field and the action that is happening as it is
Getting close and taking pictures from above is often the most interesting thing to do when climbing. The subject of belaying is important. We recommend to secure the photographer separately and to additionally secure the important equipment against falling down.
Mountain Moments Photo Workshops provide Photo Tours for everybody, Alpine Experience for beginners and intermediate-level photographers with 3 to 6-hour routes, as well as Summit Experience for more advanced photographers and hikers. We have private workshops and group classes.
Information – books that might be useful before Innsbruck trip
Book recommendations: “Sportklettern Innsbruck” by Günter Durner and Werner Gürtler and “Tirol – Sportklettern in Nordtirol” by Michael Meisl.
The most beautiful photo spots and hikes in the Alps – experience this hiking tour and 29 other exceptional regions now.
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Of course, you will find all the information about this hike in the ebook. After registering, you will also receive the GPS track, so you are on the safe side and won’t get lost and will find all photo locations easily.
More adventures near this location
- Dazzling Daybreak! Catch the Gorgeous Sunrise Aura on Nockspitze Hike
When you have a date with a sunset, just like with a regular meeting, the best bet is to be there before the agreed time – every photographer knows that. With the right aperture and shutter speed, make the best of your subject matter on an incredible and very accessible Nockspitze hike in the Austrian Alps (Tyrol). Learn more about this backpacking route, grab your equipment and join us. - Family+Photo-Friendly Nordkette Hike – Alpine Pastures and Tyrolean Delicacies at Arzler Hut + Umbrüggler Hut above InnsbruckHiking adventure, no matter how small, is a one-day reservation at least, so it’s essential to carry with you some fuel in a form of food and water. But on this Nordkette stroll through breathtaking pastures, you will find out the benefits of huts that give their part to your local experience – in a form of views, shelter and cuisine. Located not far above the city and at the foot of the Nordkette, Innsbruck’s alpine pastures are a popular destination for the whole family and can often be reached on foot in winter. So wait no longer, find out everything you need to know about this trip and join Mountain Moments in this family and photo-friendly thrill-hike.
Hi, i am Marius, i love exploring the mountains and nature. Friends say, i know the mountains better than most locals, but actually i get lost all the time while photographing ;). Read more about the Mountain Moments Team.
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