Tracking Wild Animals in the Lüsen Valley

Sometimes it doesn’t take much to get people of all ages excited about things close to home, like nature: a marmot basking in the sun, fresh animal tracks along the trail, or exciting stories about the mountain’s inhabitants. That’s exactly what we experienced on the wildlife hike in the Lüsen Valley—a special offering from Innsbruck Tourism’s adventure program. Together with my children, I set out on Corpus Christi through the beautiful Lüsen Valley. We were accompanied by Philipp, the local gamekeeper from Lüsens, who expertly opened our eyes to the local flora and fauna.

It became clear right from the very first steps: This hike is much more than a typical nature tour. Philipp really knows his way around here. He spoke enthusiastically about how the valley was formed, the glaciers that have shaped the landscape over millennia, and the plants that thrive despite the harsh conditions in the mountains.

For the children, the hike quickly turned into an exciting search for clues. Which tracks belong to which inhabitants of the valley? Where and what do the animals eat? Which animal did the bone we found come from? Time and again, our small group stopped to observe, ask questions, and marvel.

The marmots were a special highlight. Normally—as Philipp says—you can spot a few of these charming Alpine inhabitants basking in the sun or darting across rocks and meadows—but today, through our spotting scope, we saw only one, letting the morning sun shine on its fur.

In the distance, we also saw roe deer disappearing among the trees. Using the tracks in the mud, Philipp explained the difference between roe deer and red deer—a distinction that many hikers often confuse. He demonstrated clearly and understandably how to distinguish between the different species of deer. He involved my 9-year-old son and my 6-year-old daughter in his explanations and patiently answered their questions.

I found the insights into the flora and fauna of the Lüsen Valley particularly fascinating. In addition to roe deer, red deer, and marmots, foxes, badgers, martens, polecats, ermine, and many other wild animals also live here. Birds of prey such as the golden eagle and the vulture can also be spotted here as they circle high above the mountain slopes. In recent years, Philipp told us, even a wolf and a lynx have roamed through the valley.

During the hike, we also got to talking about Philip’s job. He has been a district gamekeeper in Lüsens since 2022. Before that, he completed his apprenticeship as a gamekeeper here. Before changing careers, he worked in the restaurant industry for many years. Today, he manages a hunting territory of about 43 square kilometers. His responsibilities are varied—ranging from monitoring game populations and managing the population to feeding the animals during the winter months, and much more.

I find it interesting just how much responsibility this job entails. Here, hunting means far more than what many people initially associate with it. It’s about nature conservation, observation, stewardship, and maintaining a healthy balance between wildlife and their habitat.
Philipp lives with his wife and their two sons, ages three and five, in a rustic cabin in Lüsens. At the same time, the family is building a new home in Gries im Sellrain. You can feel his deep connection to the region and nature with every step.

If you’d like to experience the Lüsen Valley from a whole new perspective, I highly recommend this tour. For my children, the hike was a real adventure. For me, it was above all a wonderful opportunity to become more aware of nature and learn more about the animals and plants in this area.

The wildlife hike is part of Innsbruck Tourism’s diverse program of activities and can be booked through the ErlebnisShop. Thereyou’ll find many other experiences, such as a culinary tour of the Markthalle, a farm tour in Mutters, an alpaca hike in Oberperfuss, or a creative getaway in the heart of Innsbruck. I’ll definitely be trying out a few more of these activities during summer vacation. Vacationers with the free Welcome Card also benefit from discounts on these offers.