Nostalgic to the Achensee

Lake Achensee, Tyrol's largest lake, is a real Tyrolean jewel. Framed by the Karwendel and Rofan mountains, the turquoise-green, crystal-clear mountain lake offers a beautiful natural idyll.

I'll show you how you can enjoy a very varied dream day from Innsbruck with hiking, a boat trip and a round with the nostalgia train. And everything is environmentally friendly, without a car.

The Achensee Railway was opened in 1889 and is a narrow-gauge rack railroad operated by steam locomotives. It was put back into service at the end of April 2022 after a few financially bumpy years. Before that, extensive investments were made and the infrastructure was renewed

On its way from Jenbach to Achensee, the railroad overcomes a distance of 6.79 kilometers and a difference in altitude of 440 meters with a gauge of 1,000 millimeters.

Jenbach station is also the only station in Austria with three different gauges: Achenseebahn 1,000mm - Zillertalbahn 760mm and the standard gauge of the Austrian Federal Railways with 1,435mm.

Just take the train from Innsbruck: You can arrive very comfortably with the S-Bahn. You can take the S4 and S5 lines either at the main station, at the new Messe station or at the Westbahnhof station. The faster trains Rex and Cityjet also stop in Jenbach, so that you sometimes have a 15-minute interval from Innsbruck

Jenbach is the starting point for the day trip and therefore very fast and easy to reach.

Once in Jenbach, follow the signs to the Achenseebahn, which will take us further towards Achensee.

Tickets are available at the ticket office. I recommend a combination ticket : This includes a round trip on the rack railroad and a day ticket for the Achensee boat trip.

The terminus of the Achenseebahn in Seespitz is also the docking point for the ship

The travel times are coordinated.

The price for the combination ticket is 49 euros in summer 2022.

You can find more prices here

The train ride up to the Achensee is pure nostalgia. The steam of the locomotive, the mountains all around, the ancient wagons and the whistle signal. For sure an experience that you will not forget for a long time

The train consists of one closed and one open wagon. For photos I clearly recommend the open carriage.

Uphill, the train is pushed by the locomotive from behind. At the highest point of the line, at the station in Eben, the locomotive is harnessed. From there to the final stop at the lake, the train is pulled.

Directly at the terminus, the "City of Innsbruck" is already waiting for passengers at the landing stage. The ship crosses the Achensee and lets the area appear from a completely new perspective.

By the way, passenger ships in regular service have been in operation on Tyrol's largest lake since 1887 and enjoy great popularity.

We will take the boat to the north shore to the Scholastika station in Achenkirch to start our hike.

The view into the Karwendel and the Rofan from the ship is breathtakingly beautiful. During a coffee here you can enjoy the scenery both inside through large windows and on outside decks.

From Achenkirch our hike leads us to the Gaisalm. The Gaisalm can only be reached by boat or with a hike.

Follow the well-signposted path from the Scholastika boat landing stage in a westerly direction. After about 15 minutes you will reach the entrance to the Mariensteig, which leads over some beautiful summer meadows a bit away from the lake.

This leads in about an hour over some short ascents and descents and a relatively narrow path above the lake in the direction of the Gaisalm. The view of the lake and its turquoise water does not need many words. A really beautiful sight!

The route is four kilometers long and you overcome 150 meters of altitude uphill and 150 downhill.

Since the weather was visibly improving, we decided to hike further from the Gaisalm to Pertisau. If you prefer to take it easy, you can also take the boat.

The way from the Gaisalm to Pertisau is another 8.8 kilometers long and you should plan about two hours for it.

The last ride of this late afternoon takes you back to Jenbach. The ride is a great way to unwind, slow down and reflect on the wonderful day.

A last photo of the steam locomotive at the station in Jenbach and already it goes with the ÖBB briskly back to Innsbruck.

• Information Achenseebahn
• Information Achenseeschifffahrt
• Timetable information Scotty ÖBB

All photos © Danijel Jovanovic Photography - www.djphotography.at
Instagram: @danijeljovanovicphotography
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• in one sentence: A day that will be remembered.
• All without a car, without stress and with so many experiences.
• Due to the super clocking of the S-Bahn from Innsbruck you reach Jenbach quickly and without stress. The trip with the Achensee Railway does not need many words. A highlight not only for railroad fans.
• The boat trip on the Achensee is relaxing and decelerating.
• The hike along the beautiful paths on the western shore of Lake Achensee and the visit to the Gaisalm - a dream. The views of the clear, turquoise lake make the cameras and cell phones glow.
• Great is the timing of Achenseebahn and Achenseeschifffahrt, as well as the combi-ticket.
• A clear recommendation for all who want to visit Tyrol's largest lake without stress. An ideal excursion for families with children, but also a hit for railroad nostalgics and nature lovers!