Surrounded by nature in summer

Full of energy, climb onto the funicular in the centre of the city and leave the valley floor behind. The lifts whisk you up to over 2,000 metres above sea level, effortlessly and without any sporting requirement, so you can enjoy the endless views and breathtaking mountain backdrops from up on the Nordkette mountain range. Just a few minutes after being down in the city, you can lie back on a sun lounger high up in the mountains and let your gaze wander down over the rooftops below. If you are wearing sturdy footwear, you can enjoy a short hike to get even closer to nature and then treat yourself to a traditional snack platter or enticing coffee and cake as a reward for your efforts. The Nordkette mountain range is also home to one of the highest zoos in Europe, Innsbruck's Alpine Zoo. This is the perfect opportunity to swing by and wonder at the many wild animals and diverse plant life on display. 

After another panoramic ride, you can get off the funicular at the stop for the Alpine Zoo and rub shoulders with ibex, lynx and wood grouse. A trip to Innsbruck's Alpine Zoo doesn't just wow children, it is well worth a visit for people of all ages. And by the way, there are also plenty of stunning views to admire while strolling around this high altitude animal kingdom. 

If you share our weakness for shaggy llamas, you can take part in a llama hike – surrounded by unique panoramic views and adorable llama sounds. 

Next, you set out on a path to healing and flavourful meadow herbs: many plants ranging from stinging nettles to mountain violets often grow unnoticed in this alpine environment. Take part in the Alpine Herb Days on the Mieming Plateau and get to know nature better with a herbalist before transforming the treasures you find into delicious herbal dishes.

Or discover the unique flora and fauna in Axamer Lizum by joining an exciting nature tour. Accompanied by experts, you learn about the flowers growing in alpine meadows – from medicinal to poisonous or simply just beautiful – and discover interesting facts about butterflies, grasshoppers and co. And the best part: the nature tours are free of charge for guests with a free Welcome Card.

Discover a whole new side to hiking holidays in the Innsbruck region: follow one of the many easy, well-marked routes through forests and meadows – either alone or with a guide. Exhausting tours are a thing of the past, because after all, it's all about enjoyment really. True to the motto "The journey is the goal", you will pass many idyllic benches where you can sit back and relax. If you want to really take in the fragrant mountain air, you should be sure to make a few stops along the way to give you the chance to enjoy nature to the full. 
Have you ever experienced how fascinating a glacier is up close? If not, this is the perfect opportunity: in the pristine Lüsens Valley – a small tributary valley leading off the Sellrain Valley – you can hike along a 2.2-kilometre-long educational glacier trail and learn interesting facts about the glacier from the 19 display boards located along the way. The route runs along a wide forest road and is mostly flat with a very slight uphill trend. The Lüsens Valley is characterised by its glacial landscape but is also known for its gentle alpine meadows, fragrant mountain forests and high peaks.