Reach Brandjochkreuz – Super Steep Hike + Trailrun Above Innsbruck

On a knife’s edge, this mountain run climbs steeply and airily to what is probably the most striking peak of the Nordkette: the Vordere Brandjochspitze. Are you skilled enough, photography and hiking-wise, for this challenging hike? Join Mountain Moments on this trip if the answer is yes.

Adrenaline is its middle name, and danger runs in this family, not to mention the good looks! On a knife’s edge, this mountain run climbs steeply and airily to what is probably the most striking peak of the Nordkette: the Vordere Brandjochspitze. It rises steeply and visually forms the westernmost edge of the part of the Nordkette that can be reached directly from Innsbruck. Are you skilled enough, photography and hiking-wise, for this challenging beauty-to-challenge ratio? Join Mountain Moments on this trip if the answer is yes.

A striking jump, which can only be climbed around with difficulty, gives this tour in combination with the exposure to its special spice and also danger. In winter, some extreme steep wall climbers even go on this tour with skis or snowboard. They have the advantage of not having to walk down.

If you are afraid of the long walk down to the valley after the demanding uphill, you can spare your knee joints by taking the gondola down

Directions! This is how your Brandjochkreuz 2268m-high adventure looks like on a map

The mountain run starts in the city center of Innsbruck. Directly from the start, the course goes uphill to the finish at Vordere Brandjochspitze (2559 m). Through the district of Hötting you reach the small chapel at Höttinger Bild (905 m) (last chance to take in water). Via a sometimes very steep climb, you continue without taking a breather until you reach the picturesquely situated Achselbodenhütte (1645 m).

From here you take the less and less frequented path to the Brandjochkreuz (2268 m). From here starts the delicate part with some climbing passages (absolute surefootedness and freedom from vertigo required – even medium-experienced mountaineers like to take a rope to help here) and a striking jump over steep precipice, before you reach the Vordere Brandjochspitze (2559 m). 

From here, descend east to the Frau Hitt saddle and take the path straight downhill and at the fork left to the Seegrube, or directly via the Schmidhubersteig to the Seegrube station (1905 m).

Photo tips  that will make your Instagram pop – make proper use of your wide-angle lens

The striking jump just before the Vordere Brandjochspitze is the well-known special motif of this tour. In general, the tour is very photogenic with the steep deep view of Innsbruck and later into the Karwendel.

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 difficult hiking journey on the Austrian Alps

How to get there by public transport: You can get back to the center from the Hungerburg station with the Hungerburgbahn or bus J.

Difficulty level: difficult

Duration/distance: 6h /1.5km   

Ascent/descent: 2065m/735m   

Highest/lowest point: 2559m/575m  

Refreshment stop: Seegrube station

Start/finish: Innsbruck Innbrücke (coordinates: geogr. 47.268885,11.390588)  

Best time: July-September

Tips: Downhill with the Nordkettenbahn or, for example, via the Seegrubensteig on foot.

Special dangers: Danger of falling! Climbing equipment recommended for the ascent from Brandjochkreuz (2268m) to Vordere Brandjochspitze (2559m).

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?