Amid golden larch trees and photo stops: Fall in Arzkasten

There are mornings when just a quick glance at the forecast is enough to decide the day’s plans. Sunny today, then a few days of bad weather. The message seems crystal clear to me: the things I need to do can wait, but the golden larch trees—perhaps not.

I text my friends, and the idea is quickly approved: a leisurely walk, plenty of chatting, and all the time we need to enjoy the fall colors. We choose a loop hike starting from Arzkasten, near Obsteig, which will take us through the woods and meadows of Holzleiten and Weisland.
It’s also a wonderful idea for families with children: there’s plenty to discover along the way, and a surprise awaits among the trees that makes the walk even more inviting. This year, summer seemed to drag on, and the larch trees took their time before changing color. But now that they’ve decided to don their golden hues, I have no intention of missing them.

We leave Arzkasten and venture into a sparse pine forest. Light filters through the branches, and we begin to walk at that relaxed pace that allows us to talk, look around, and stop without having to justify every pause. Then the forest opens up onto meadows, and the conversation stops of its own accord. Before us, the larch trees display every shade of autumn: lemon yellow, honey, gold, and a few coppery strokes. Some still retain a bit of green, while others seem to have agreed to put their best foot forward today. The sun streams through the canopy and sets the needles aglow, while the mountains in the background complete the scene. 

It really feels like walking inside a painting. Except here, we can step right into the landscape, feel the fresh air on our faces, and choose which corner to explore next.
That’s what I love about this trail: the beauty isn’t confined to a single viewpoint. It accompanies us, shifts with the light, and reappears every time the trees give way to a new vista. All you have to do is turn around to see the same meadow in different colors.

At some point, I realize I’ve fallen behind. My friends are moving on, and I’m searching for the perfect shot of a group of larch trees backlit by the sun. “I’m coming! I’m just taking one picture.” I take it, put my phone away, and after a few steps, I take it out again. Because, of course, from there, the view is even more beautiful. Or so it seems to me.
Luckily, no one’s in a hurry today. Photo stops become part of the walk, and it often happens that, while I’m waiting for the others, they’re the ones who’ve stopped to admire another view. 

This time I took more photos than usual: choosing which ones to post turned out to be much more challenging than the walk itself! Every now and then, though, my phone stays in my pocket. I stop to watch the light filtering through the branches, without trying to capture it right away in a photograph. I want to remember the fresh air, my friends’ voices, and the joy of being here, too.

Then another larch tree appears, perfectly lit, and my good intentions end right there.

The Weisland adventure playground is one of those places that can change your priorities for the day. The larch trees may be beautiful, but for a child, a swing shaped like a chairlift is a pretty compelling attraction.

Among the trees are climbing structures, figures carved from wood, and games to discover. Even older children will find something to enjoy, while the benches invite you to sit down and break out a snack.
It’s a stop worth taking your time with. The little ones can make up stories and test their limits; adults can enjoy the woods and finish that conversation that was interrupted a few photos ago.

I imagine the hardest part is leaving. “Just five more minutes” might become the refrain of the afternoon. And after all my “just one more photo” requests, I’d have very little grounds to complain.
It’s precisely this combination that makes the walk so wonderful for families: a landscape that invites you to walk and a space where you can stop and really play.

A stop at Gasthaus Arzkasten would be the perfect way to round out the day. This cozy Tyrolean inn, with its traditional dining rooms—the typical “Stuben”—and sunny terrace, invites you to linger and enjoy the afterglow of your walk. The cuisine highlights regional ingredients and farm-fresh produce, featuring Tyrolean specialties and homemade cakes—excellent reasons to stop by, even with the kids.

This time, however, our tasty break has been postponed. At the time of our visit, the inn was closed for vacation, with reopening tentatively scheduled for mid-December.
This year, thanks to a summer that seemed to go on forever, the larch trees reached their peak splendor right during the Gasthaus’s seasonal break. For now, we’ll soak up the golden hues; we’ll gladly return for a slice of cake. One more reason to put Arzkasten back on our itinerary.

On the way back, I keep looking back. The light falls differently on the meadows, and some trees seem even more vibrant. I recognize scenes I’ve already photographed, but I still feel the urge to stop. I’m glad I sent that message to my friends. It would have been easy to put it off; instead, we treated ourselves to a few hours together, just when the landscape had something special to show.

I’m coming back with lots of memories, a few laughs, and that pleasant feeling you get after a day outdoors. The plan was simple, and maybe that’s part of why we enjoyed it so much.
If you’re looking for an autumn walk to share with the kids in the Innsbruck region, this spot is worth discovering. Make time for stops, games, and little curiosities.
And free up some storage space on your phone: when the larch trees turn golden, one photo is never enough.