Mountain biking at the Rangger Köpfl

Once a year in the fall, the “ Rangger Köpfl ” is a must-attend event for me. Whether it’s hiking, trail running, mountain biking, or simply enjoying the culinary delights at the “ Rosskogelhütte,” this year I’m out on my mountain bike and, once again, fascinated by the incredible combination of the mountain scenery and the view of the city of Innsbruck. Especially in the fall, it’s the warm hues of nature that never fail to amaze me year after year.

Several Tour Options

To cycle to the “ Rangger Köpfl,” you can choose from several route options. Short and sweet, long and challenging, or somewhere in between—there’s something for every cycling enthusiast.

The “I’m in the Mood for a Challenge” Tour

Starting in Innsbruck, the longest route to the “ Rangger Köpfl ” begins. First, you’ll follow the bike path along the Inn River to “ Kematen ”; there, the climb begins toward “ Ranggen ” and then “ Oberperfuss.” Around kilometer 18, you’ll branch off the main road and enter the forest trail. There you’ll also find the first yellow signs pointing toward Rangger Köpfl. This marks the start of the steepest part of the tour, which continues until just before the summit. First, however, you’ll pass the reservoir and the Rosskogelhütte. Shortly before reaching the summit, the terrain flattens out and a beautiful view of the landscape opens up. In summer and early fall, horses, Highland cattle, cows, and sheep are often grazing on these rolling meadows. Once you reach the summit, you can look out over the city and spot the starting point of the tour. For the return trip, I recommend taking the same route.

• Length: 60 km (round trip)
• Elevation gain: 1,470 hm
• Time: approx. 4–5 hours outbound and 2 hours return

Tour link: Rangger Köpfl —a mountain bike tour from Innsbruck Central Station

The “I-Want-to-See-More-of-the-Surroundings” Tour

If you’d rather not start right in Innsbruck but from outside the city, you can begin the tour from the idyllic little village of Grinzens. It’s recommended to take the bus to Grinzens so you can bike back to Innsbruck (or Kematen and continue by train) after the summit tour. From Grinzens, you’ll first ride along the main road to Sellrain and Stiglreith (all paved). The forest trail begins at Stiglreith, passing once again by the reservoir and the Rosskogelhütte. Once you’ve passed the Rosskogelhütte, the most beautiful part of the tour begins, with a constant view of the striking and rugged Rosskogel. Shortly before reaching the summit, the terrain flattens out, and the view opens up over the city of Innsbruck.

• Length: approx. 50 km (round trip)
• Elevation gain: 1,200 hm
• Time: approx. 3–4 hours outbound and 2 hours return (to Innsbruck)

Tour link Rangger Köpfl, take the bus to Grinzens

The “I Don’t Have Much Time But Want to Reach the Summit” Tour

For this option, it’s best to start from Oberperfuss or Stiglreith. You can easily take a bus from Innsbruck’s main train station to at least Oberperfuss. From there, head first toward Ranggen, where you’ll rejoin the forest trail. The route then follows the yellow markers again toward Rangger Köpfl.

Tour link Rangger Köpfl from Oberperfuss

• Length: 26 km (round trip)
• Elevation gain: 1,140 hm
• Time: approx. 3.5 hours outbound and 1 hour return

If you’d like to take the shortest route, you can drive to Stiglreith, park there for a fee of 6 €, and then set off toward Rangger Köpfl.

Tips for all tours: When traveling by bus or train with a bicycle, try to avoid rush hour—especially in the morning before 8:00 a.m., around noon, and in the afternoon between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

You can easily plan your trip using public transportation with the VVT route planner (also available as an app).

Rangger Köpfl Summit

The destination of the various hikes is always the summit cross at the Rangger Köpfl. From there, you have a sweeping view of the lowlands, toward Seefeld, and even as far as the Oberland. Across from you stretch the Kalkkögel, the Axamer Lizum, and the ridge of the Salfeiner Gipfel. The various seating areas around the summit invite you to soak up the sun and linger.

Rosskogelhütte: A Place to Stop for Refreshments  

Hiking enthusiasts and mountain bikers gather at the Rosskogelhütte to enjoy culinary delights. On sunny days, the spacious terrace invites guests to enjoy a cool refreshment or a bite to eat while soaking up the sun. The chefs, who specialize in traditional Tyrolean cuisine, place great emphasis on regional ingredients. Arugula, parsley, and chives, for example, come directly from the raised herb garden in front of the hut.

Because the playground right next door is especially popular with children and the Rosskogelhütte is located near the forest, families in particular love coming here. But it’s not just popular in the summer—winter sports enthusiasts also enjoy a warming soup or a hearty portion of “ Gröstl ” in the dining room after skiing, sledding, or ski touring.

You can find all the information and opening hours on the Rosskogelhüttewebsite.