Children’s playgrounds along the mountain railroads near Innsbruck

The children's playgrounds in the middle of the Innsbruck mountains offer the perfect way to cool off in the hot summer months as well as a fantastic view. All the cable cars and excursion destinations listed can be used free of charge or at a reduced price with the Welcome Card (and the Freizeitticket Tirol) can be used free of charge or at a reduced rate. So you can combine a short trip to the mountains with a highlight for the little ones. Here are my recommendations.

If you are traveling with the Hungerburgbahn on the way to Seegrube, it is worth making a stop at Judenbühel. You can reach the beautiful forest playground by getting off at the Hungerburgbahn stop Alpenzoo and following the road east for about five minutes. The path is wide and easily accessible by baby carriage or bike. On a hill, well hidden in the forest, you will find the spacious forest playground. There is a sandpit including a water feature, a skills course, a slide with a playhouse, swings and seesaws. The special highlight is the large green area, which is ideal for a picnic. The view over Innsbruck invites you to relax with the whole family.

If you continue from Alpenzoo/Hungerburg towards Seegrube with your Welcome Card, the next playground invites you to linger. There is a small but nice playground right next to the terrace of the Seegrube restaurant, from where you have an ideal view of the kids.

The first children's paradise is located directly at the Patscherkofelbahn valley station. A large playhouse surrounded by small pebbles invites children to play. There is also a sandpit, seesaw animals and green areas. The terrace of the restaurant"Das Hausberg" provides a good view of the playground, so you can relax and enjoy your coffee. Afterwards, take the Patscherkofelbahn to the mountain station. The second playground is already waiting right next to the "Das Kofel" restaurant. It's quite small, but well-placed so that mom and dad can also enjoy the magnificent panorama from the Patscherkofel.

The "Kofele's Quiz Hiking Tour" starts from the mountain station and provides additional hiking fun. The ten puzzles up to the summit provide excitement and at the end, the correct answers provide the solution word. In the restaurant"Die Gipfelstube" directly at the summit or in"Das Kofel" at the mountain station, every child with the correct answer will receive a surprise. Incidentally, the entire route to the Patscherkofel summit is suitable for children's scales.

The Mutterer Alm is a true paradise for children. A treasure hunt, magic water, adventure playground, ball track and a descent with the Mountain Cart will make children's hearts beat faster.

The magic water offers great refreshment, especially in the summer months. There is a water park for children in the middle of the forest. Here, little explorers can dam up the water and open it up again. Follow the water along the wooden channels and watch as it continues to flow through water wheels and ends in small ponds. At the end of the water is a large sand playhouse. This is the lowest point of the scavenger hunt and you walk uphill for about ten minutes to the next playground.

A playhouse with various games, a chill-out area, a slide, seesaws and a climbing frame. There is something for everyone here. Then it's off along a forest path suitable for children's scales towards the reservoir. There is a long and fun ball track on this path.

The balls can be bought directly on site from the vending machine. Above the ball track is the reservoir where there are also several swings. There are also seven scavenger hunt stations along the entire route. The first station is still at the valley station. Once all the stations have been punched out correctly, a surprise can be collected at the valley station. The stamp pass for the scavenger hunt is also available at the valley station. The entire scavenger hunt can be completed with a baby carriage. The only exception is the magic water, but this can be bypassed.

Another very cool children's playground can be found in beautiful Kühtai. This is located at the Drei Seen Hütte in the middle of the mountains. With its large "Trojan cow", which is a small climbing paradise inside, this playground leaves nothing to be desired. Curious to find out more? Then take a look at Elisabeth de Koekkoek's blog " The new Küh playground - family fun in Kühtai".

The cable cars are easy to reach both by car and by public transport. There is a charge for parking on site (included with the Freizeitticket Tirol).

Photos by Markus Mair photography.

• Summer report in the Innsbruck region
• Mutteralm
• Patscherfofelbahn
• Nordkettenbahn
• Innsbruck public transportation
• Welcome Card
• Tyrol Leisure Ticket