Education and nature trails

This circular route starts from the car park at the recycling centre in Wildermieming and leads through sparse forests near Wildermieming and the Gerhardhof campsite. Along the way, 10 impressive display boards show the connection between environmental factors and adaptations in the forest. They also provide information about how glaciation, which ended 10,000 years ago, shaped the mountain forest habitat and compare the rich life found in a natural stream with the reduced diversity of a controlled waterway.

Starting from the car park at the forest swimming pool in Barwies, this circular hike leads through the Gschwent moss and larch meadows. At the beginning, the trail runs along wide paths around the Moosalmmoor moor, before returning to the starting point through extensive meadow and forest sections. The nature trail along the route provides interesting insights into the sensitive ecosystem: information on the inhabitants of the reed moor, the crayfish in the ‘Krebsbach’ and their way of life as well as the importance of the Lärchenwiesen nature reserve round off the nature experience.

The hiking trail to the Maria Locherboden pilgrimage church leads through the Inn floodplain nature reserve, which provides a habitat for strictly protected plant and animal species. Along the way, information boards provide an insight into the special conditions of the sunny south-facing limestone slopes on the Fiechter Köpfl. On the dry slope below the Locherboden, for example, the rare feather grass grows - a plant that is otherwise found mainly in the Mediterranean region and in Asian steppes. The return journey follows the same route.

From the Kurpark spa gardens in Igls, walk south along the east side of Congresspark Igls and continue through the forest following signs for "Archäologiepfad Goldbichl" (the Goldbichl archaeology trail). Around 4,000 years ago, the Goldbichl was a powerful sanctuary and a place of widespread importance. Today, a forest hiking trail leads from the Kurpark spa gardens in Igls to the prehistoric ritual site once used for burning offerings. Illustrated information boards reveal more about the various aspects of daily life and religious rites. Experience the magic of the place.  You can learn more about this topic and admire the most significant Bronze and Iron Age artefacts found on the Goldbichl at the museum in the "Haus des Gastes" (Hilberstraße 15, 6080 Igls).

The contemplation trail begins and ends at the over 500-year-old parish church of St. Magnus in Ranggen. Parking at and below the parish church, free of charge. Follow the yellow signs below the parish church and turn right onto a side path through the village, past the hamlets of Riedpuite and Viescheide, a short distance on asphalt to the first station of the contemplation trail a little above Ranggen. From there on, you enter soft forest soil. An ascending path leads through shady forest to the chapel, where seven stations invite you to contemplate, back along the forest path to the parish church.  

Bee nature trail at the Sistrans mill pond - an informative walk The hike to the bee nature trail starts at the Tigls car park near the primary school in Sistrans. From here, head eastwards towards the village until you follow the sign to the mill pond. Once you arrive at the mill pond, the actual bee trail begins. The trail leads along 20 information boards, which provide fascinating information about the life of bees and clearly explain how honey and wax are produced. The boards provide interesting information about the important role of bees in the ecosystem and show how they contribute to the pollination of plants and the maintenance of biodiversity. The trail continues by crossing the stream and finally heading south back to the village centre of Sistrans. An educational and relaxing walk that offers fascinating insights into the life of bees and their importance for nature.

Walk in our ancestors' footsteps! The "Hohe Birga" in Birgitz is the only open-air archaeological site in the immediate vicinity of Innsbruck. This excavation site of a pre-Christian Raeti settlement is located about 500 metres as the crow flies from the centre of Birgitz and is quick and easy to reach. The tour starts from the Rätermuseum (Raetic Museum) in Birgitz and initially leads along a relatively flat path past beautiful and well-maintained farmhouses and gardens before continuing slightly downhill along a paved road to the Hohe Birga excavations. The climb up the excavation hill and the route back up to the starting point in Birgitz are a little steeper. Before or after the hike, it is well worth visiting the Rätermuseum (Raetic Museum) located in the village hall on the village square in Birgitz. There isn't anywhere to stop for refreshments along the way so it's very important to take enough to drink with you. A small rest area is located directly at the archaeological site.

This hike is particularly popular with children. The ideal starting point: the bottom lift station of the Bergbahnen Oberperfuss gondola. From there, you can take the gondola up to an altitude of over 1,500 metres above sea level. Once at the top of the gondola, walk downhill for a few minutes until you reach an idyllic reservoir. If you walk around the reservoir to the south, you'll come to a forest road. Take the road and then turn left to continue down to the junction for Restaurant Sulzstich.  At this point, you'll see the first of the "tree beards", which are upside down spruces with carved faces. At the push of a button, these trees tell authentic stories by students from the primary schools in Oberperfuss. Some of the "tree beards" pose puzzles instead of telling stories. If you can solve the puzzles, you will be rewarded with magic & power stones when you get back to the bottom lift station. You'll also be given a booklet with all of the stories and puzzles to enjoy reading after your walk.  This trail is the ultimate family highlight. Hikers are accompanied by excited children's voices, storytelling and lovely walks from puzzle to puzzle. Along the way, a slide, a rest area and a barefoot trail provide even more variety. After a good one and a half kilometres, the trail comes to Stiglreith where children can play on the slide in front of the panoramic restaurant.   If the gondola is not running, you can drive to the starting point at Stiglreith car park, which is located at an altitude of 1,383 metres above sea level. Fees apply to park in the car park. It can be reached via the panoramic road that branches off to the right from Oberperfuss Berg. From that approach, the hike past the talking tree beards leads from the Stiglreith mountain lift station to the reservoir at Sulzstich and back along the road to the starting point. Fees apply to park in the car park at Stiglreith. The road to Stiglreith is closed to cars from 1 November until 31 March.

Up until 40 years ago, local farmers drove the cattle that weren't grazing in alpine pastures along the Hohlweg to the Obsteiger Fraktion area and the Ochsenlede (west of the location) twice a week. Today, the path is used for recreation and serves as a reminder of how important agriculture is for the preservation of our local habitats. At the upper end of the trail, a small drinking trough was created on the edge of a wetland, an artificial reservoir now offers dragonflies and other aquatic insects a valuable secondary habitat.

The Miners' Trail leads hikers on the trail of historic mining in the Wörgetal valley. From the Dortmunder Hütte in Kühtai, you hike through a breathtaking high mountain landscape past the Längental reservoir and the Mittergrathütte to the Hochötz ski area. On the way, you will reach the faithfully reconstructed miners' house at the entrance to the Wörgetal valley at the Pochersee lake. Photos show the mining past of the region. You can also learn more about the history of the mountain pastures along the way. After the Knappenhaus, the trail continues via the Balbachalm to Hochötz. From there, take the mountain railway down to Ochsengarten and then change to bus 4196 back to Kühtai.

From the "Naturpark Karwendel" car park, it is about a 15-minute walk to the "7 Weg" (7 trail) intersection. When you reach the intersection, turn right towards the Garzanhof. After walking for another ten minutes, you'll reach the area where the Rum nature trail was set up in 1995. Numerous signs describe the botanical features in the region.

This route starts at the end of the car park in Praxmar (fees apply) and leads south towards Lüsens. The first section of the route passes display boards with information about flora and fauna in the Sellrain Valley. Particular focus is placed on endangered amphibians. The second section, which leads further south from Lüsens to "Fernerboden" on the valley floor, gives a fascinating insight into the development of the glaciers up to today. A natural viewing platform provides magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.

The Larchsteig is a short circular hike on the edge of the village of Obsteig. If you take your time, you can discover lots of interesting information about the larch itself, as well the history of the larch forests, how they are managed and their inhabitants. The highlights include glacial erratics, which are large boulders from the Ice Age, and a large stone with a circle on it, known as the "Kreisstein", which still remains a mystery. The duration of the route depends entirely on who is doing it: runners only need 15 minutes, hikers can complete it in 45 minutes, interested hikers may need two hours and anyone who really wants to savour it should allow half a day.

In Inzing, a themed trail provides interested walkers with extensive information about the geography, geology and history of the region. Display boards along the route describe, for example, how the landscape was formed by the power of glaciers and water. Another interesting topic covered is the region's history of cartography. Local mapmakers Peter Anich and Blasius Huber were pioneers in this field and their achievements are wonderfully presented along the way. Our tip: the wetlands and bird reserve in Gaisau.

A wonderful forest trail that leads uphill through mixed woods and alpine meadows to Hochzirl (route no. 15). Various display boards line the route and provide information about indigenous birds. From the train station in Hochzirl, take route no. 51 towards the Ehnbachklamm gorge and then follow the Ehnbach stream through the romantic wilderness of the gorge (route no. 3). The route continues past a war memorial (route no. 1a) and then heads back to the starting point. It is also possible to walk the route in the other direction. The strange rock formations and diverse flora and fauna make a hike in the Karwendel mountains an unforgettable experience for every walker. Even on hot summer days, this hike along the cool babbling stream ensures relaxation for mind and soul. The area also contains a collection of orchids, which is unique within Tyrol. The narrow trail is well secured with footbridges and steps, as well as wire ropes.

The trail starts at the parking lot of the Sonnbergalm, located between St. Sigmund and Haggen, behind the Krainhof. The path steadily climbs through a sunny forest, providing a pleasant and moderate hike. Along the way, several stations highlight natural wonders, such as the impressive ibex populations of the Alps and the age of the surrounding spruce forests. Additionally, the rich wildlife and plant life in the area are worth noting. The Sonnbergalm itself offers not only a stunning view of the surrounding mountains but also excellent home-cooked meals, making it a popular stop for hikers.To get back to the starting point, hike back along the same route.