Hiking where the sheep spend their summer: the Goethe Trail

Today is a bright, hot summer day, and we want to head up to the cool mountains, where the sheep spend their summer vacation: near the Goetheweg on the Nordkette. We’ll start at the Hungerburg, take the Nordkettenbahn up to the Seegrube, and immediately board the Hafelekargondola, since our starting point today is all the way up at the Hafelekarstation. 

Once we reach the top, we acclimate and visit the physics research station at the Hafelekar, located at 2,269 meters above sea level. The historic measuring station, designed for the continuous measurement and recording of cosmic radiation at high altitudes, was founded in 1931 by Viktor Franz Hess , who is considered the discoverer of cosmic rays.

The Marietta Blau Quantum Optics Ground Station opened in May 2026 and is directly connected to the University of Innsbruck via fiber optics. The location is perfectly suited for secure, satellite-based quantum communication. You can read more about Marietta Blau in Susanne’s post. 

We start east of the mountain station on the marked Goetheweg signs pointing toward the Pfeishütte. The narrow mountain trail requires concentration. We stop frequently to enjoy the beautiful views. To the right, the Inn Valley opens up, offering an incredible view of Innsbruck. Fun Fact: Although we’re at over 2,000 meters above sea level, we’re still within the city limits of Innsbruck!

The trail is well marked, and where it gets steeper, there are steel cables serving as handrails for safety. It’s easy to walk on, but sure-footedness is a must. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a great view to the south, including the Patscherkofel, the southern local mountain of Innsbruck, which rises to 2,246 meters.  

We enjoy beautiful, breathtaking views to the north, deep into the Karwendel. The view of the Inn Valley also leaves us in awe and makes us breathe a sigh of relief.

After about 35 minutes of walking, we reach the Gleirschsattel and are delighted to spot the first sheep. One of the sheep even comes over to us. Does it want some of our snack? Not quite—it just wants to cuddle and enjoys our gentle strokes.  

If you’d like to climb one more peak and leave your mark in the summit logbook, you can hike up to the Gleirschspitze from here in about 25 minutes and share your snack with the jackdaws. 

The next summit cross along the Goetheweg toward the Pfeishütte is the Mandlspitze, which also offers a wonderful view and a sweeping panorama of the Karwendel.

The sheep feel right at homeon the beautiful, grassy Gleirschsattel. We understand why. It’s a magical place to relax and recharge. So today, we’re staying here too and enjoying an hour with the sheep.  

If you'd like, you can include the Hafelekarspitze on the way back; just turn off onto the Goetheweg at the sign pointing uphill, and from there you'll return to the Hafelekar train station.

Today we're heading back along the Goetheweg and enjoying the peace and quiet and the fabulous evening light.

If you look closely, you'll discover interesting minerals and fossils in the rock. 

We head back down toward the valley and take the gondola to Seegrube, at just over 1,900 meters above sea level. Here, you can relax in a lounge chair on the sun terrace and enjoy a cool drink while taking in the view of Innsbruck. There are often events or sundowners with a DJ to enjoy as well.

Today, the laid-back sounds of a private party drift down from the Seegrube. We’re enjoying the atmosphere and the last rays of sunshine for the day. The sheep in the nearby meadow aren’t bothered by it at all; they seem completely relaxed.

We’re taking the cable car back down to the Hungerburg. It’s still significantly warmer here than up on the Hafelekar. Our trip to the sheep’s summer pasture was really lovely. With the warm temperatures, it was a real treat for both body and soul.

Here are a few more links for you: 

Hike to the Hafelekar and GleirschspitzePeaks 

Hike from Hafelekar to Mandlspitze