Easy Zirbenweg Trekking Route - Best Photo Opportunities in Innsbruck

Panoramic Trail near Innsbruck: The Zirb Trail – Best Photo Opportunities in Innsbruck

A great view equals a great hike! This panoramic trail near Innsbruck has it all: The Zirb Trail is an easy hike near Innsbruck and easyly reachable – all infos for this great hike with map in this post.

Is Zirbenweg the most picturesque hiking trail in Innsbruck? Many who backpack down this route think so, and we have a hunch the surrounding pine forest and pretty alpine roses have something to do with this. The best thing is – the journey is not very demanding, which gives even the less-experienced nature lovers the opportunity to join Mountain Moments in this adventure. Find out all the important details, and the hiking map, below.

Uphill and downhill is by cable car on the Patscherkofel and in the ski area Glungezer, round trip from/to Innsbruck is made carefree by bus.
Wide panoramic view over the Inn Valley and Innsbruck open up as soon as you are high up on Zirben Trail. Tip: Uphill and downhill is by cable car on the Patscherkofel and in the ski area Glungezer, round trip from/to Innsbruck is made carefree by bus

From the local mountain Patscherkofel it goes through alpine meadows and sparse mountain forests to the ski resort Glungezer. Deep views down to Innsbruck and the massive rocky flanks of the Karwendel are just as impressive as the still intact mountain nature.  

The leisurely alpine hike leads through primeval pine forests, mountain glaciers, and glacial boulder fields with only a few meters of altitude and hardly any difficult passages.

Uphill and downhill is by cable car on the Patscherkofel and in the ski area Glungezer, round trip from/to Innsbruck is made carefree by bus

Directions! This is how your Zirben trail hike looks like on a map

The Zirbenweg ticket includes all transfers and cable car transportation. Buy it already in town (for example at the Tourist Information) to save the bus journey.
Panoramic Trail near Innsbruck: The Zirb Trail on a map. The “Zirbenweg ticket” includes all transfers and cable car transportation. Buy it already in town (for example at the Tourist Information) to save the bus journey

From the Patscherkofel valley station, take the gondola to the top station. After getting off on the other side of the leveled square, the Zirbenweg trail begins slightly to the left through a gate. The path is well signposted (direction Zirbenweg, Glungezer, Boscheben) and leads through mountain pine slopes with great panoramic views slightly ascending to the Boschebenhütte (approx. 2.5km). 

After a rest, you follow the Zirbenweg further in the direction of Glungezer and after another 5km through picturesque mountain forest you reach the Tulfein Alm. From here about 200m along the ski slope to the top station of the Glungezer lifts. By lift to the valley and back to Innsbruck main station by bus (bus stop is located a few meters below at the car parking lot). 

Photo tips that will make your Instagram pop – Zirb Trail, Grünbichl vantage point and Nordkette

The Zirbenweg offers many opportunities to photograph the protected alpine meadow world, such as alpine roses.  

Zirb Trail has the views – especially in autumn the colours here are very photogenic with great contrasts to the valley.

The most beautiful vantage points and photo spots are at Grünbichl the picturesque hut just west of the Patscherkofel mountain station. In addition, the view to the south with the Boscheben hut and the picturesque Tulfein Alm with a view of the Karwendel are recommended. 

Nevertheless, the top photo spot is generally the view of Innsbruck and the majestic Nordkette, which can be photographed from almost everywhere. 

Refreshments stops (all with a great view) are Tulfein Alm, Boschebenhütte, Patscherkofel Gipfelstube, Patscherkofel Schutzhaus and Patscherkofel Restaurant Bergstation 

Tip: Boscheben and Tulfein Alm are our all time favourites on this trail as they are run by locals and a lot of the products are locally produced.

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.

More information about your adventure in the Austrian Alps

How to get there by car: Park in Innsbruck and take bus J (“Peak to Peak” bus) towards Patscherkofel.

How to get there by public transport: From Innsbruck, take bus J (“Peak to Peak”) in the direction of Patscherkofel to the terminus. Return by bus from Glungezer valley station to Innsbruck main station (the yellow bus stops a few meters below the valley station at the parking lot).

Hike difficulty: easy 

Duration/distance: 2.5h/ 8km  

Ascent/descent: 200m/110m  

Highest/lowest point: 2060m/1963m 

Refreshments: Tulfein Alm, Boschebenhütte, Patscherkofel Gipfelstube, Patscherkofel Schutzhaus, Patscherkofel Restaurant Bergstation. 

Start/finish: Patscherkofel valley station

Best time: June-September

Tips: Book Zirbenweg ticket already in town (e.g. Tourist Information).

The best Summer Adventures in and around Innsbruck – Hiking, Mountainbiking, Trekking, Climbing and more

Fancy more Summer Adventures in Tyrol and around Innsbruck? We got you covered! The best outdoor sports activities for Summer Enthusiasts as eBook: Innsbruck Summer Outdoor Guide.

Here we have compiled the most beautiful locations and photo opportunities. 30 activities with numerous photo spots are selected and described in such a way that you can easily experience these wonderful adventures around Innsbruck for yourself – including track infos, and maps and all other information that you need.

You can take a closer look at the Innsbruck travel guide ebook here – why not share it with your adventure partner?

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