The most beautiful sunrise hikes

“The young day’s gaze still flees the misty gray peaks of the mountains, and already, with a measured beat, the first crow escapes from its top.”

Christian Morgenstern
The air is clear and cool, slowly the contours of the environment become clearer, the moon gives way and a soft glow appears at the end of the sky. Sunrises have something magical about them and have fascinated us since time immemorial. In the mountains they are even more beautiful, when the fresh daylight, second by second, makes more mountain landscape shine in color, the wind freshens a little and the animal and plant life awakens.

There is no better reason to get up early than a beautiful sunrise in the mountains.

Around Innsbruck there are several places where the sunrise can be observed particularly well. Whether with a preceding morning hike, an overnight stay at one of the huts or in a tent is up to everyone. The best time of the year is the beginning of autumn, on clear days you can see infinitely far and the yellow of the sun appears even more saturated. But also in spring and summer the sunrise is an impressive experience. Sometimes even despite clouds and fog.

Four sunrises over Innsbruck:

Pfriemeswand – doable for everyone

Comfortably end the evening on the Birgitzköpfelhaus.

The easiest way to see the sunrise over Innsbruck is to take the chairlift from the Axamer Lizum parking lot to the Birgitzköpflhaus in the afternoon. Here you can enjoy the view of the mountains and the sunset from the terrace with a cool Radler. The overnight stay costs 22 €. In the morning you get up about 30-40 minutes before sunrise and hike with a few meters difference in altitude to the Pfriemeswand, where a kind of bench under the cross is already waiting for sun worshippers. The way back is either the same way or down to Mutters via the reservoir.

Sun, summit cross and a place to sit. In the background: the summit of the Nockspitze.

Nockspitze – short, crisp ascent

The Saile, as the Nockspitze is actually called, is the perfect mountain near town for night hikers. The circa 1000 meters in altitude are overcome in 2 ½ hours, the path is well paved. At the summit cross, with a little luck, a flock of sheep await visitors. Starting point is also the parking lot Axamer Lizum. Descent either on the same path or for safe hikers via the Ost-Steig with a magnificent view of Innsbruck. Those who want to spare their knees can take the chairlift from the Birgitzköpflhaus from 8:00. Here, of course, you can also spend the night, then it is only about 50 minutes to the summit of the Nockspitze.

The sheep join us for a piece of the hike.

Rocky descent over the Pfriemeswand.

On the way down from the summit, the warming rays of sunlight bathe the mountain in a yellow hue.

Serles – the classic

The somewhat more challenging classic for a sunrise hike from Innsbruck. From Maria Waldrast it is about 2.5 – 3 hours to the summit. On nice weekends you are rarely alone, but during the week you can have the mountain to yourself in the morning.

Sunrises can also be beautiful when there is fog.

Nordkette – above the roofs of the city

Closer than here you can not be above the city. Photographer Christoph Malin captured his overnight stay here beautifully. In his“Adventures after dark” video you get an even better impression of how such a night in winter over the city probably looks. For the time being, we’d rather recommend summer adventures..

Sunrise from the long saddle, Nordkette.

Have you ever enjoyed a sunrise with a view of Innsbruck?

If not, with these great offers you can certainly experience one or the other unforgettable moment on the mountains around Innsbruck and its vacation villages.

All photos, unless otherwise indicated: Lea Hajner