The Hafelekar above Innsbruck – from the city straight into the high mountains
- Florian
- Nov 14
- 5 min read
Few cities in the world offer as much contrast as Innsbruck: urban life down in the valley, and just minutes later you're standing in the middle of the high mountains. The
Nordkettenbahn takes you directly from the city center up to the Hafelekar (2,334 m) with incredible views.
Insider tips for the Hafelekar
Combine your city break in Innsbruck with a gondola ride up the Hafelekar – in just 30 minutes, you can travel from the city center to an altitude of 2,334 meters in the heart of the high mountains.
Magical morning light: Early in the morning, when the sun rises over the Inn Valley and the city is still shrouded in fog, a special light appears – perfect for photos. It's worth getting up early: the first gondola leaves Hungerburg at 8:30 a.m. At this time, it is usually not very busy – after that, it can get very crowded, especially on nice days.
Chill moment on the Seegrube: after a hike, the deck chairs on the Seegrube invite you to relax and soak up the sun – with a spectacular view over Innsbruck.
Hiking tip: If you want to enjoy the Innsbruck alpine pastures, you can either hike from top to bottom or from bottom to top (if you're in good shape!). From Hungerburg to Seegrube, there is a steep climb of around 1,000 meters. Highly recommended: the chocolate cake and dumplings at the Höttinger Alm.
A little moment of pleasure: a slice of apple strudel in the Hafelekar restaurant with a view over Innsbruck – almost unchanged since 1928 – is a classic that should not be missed.
Event tip: The “Seegrube Sundays” with DJ and brunch are a popular highlight.
Fantastic hike: An absolute highlight is the tour from Hafelekar via the Goetheweg trail to the Pfeishütte hut – a spectacular high-altitude hike along the Karwendel ridge. You can stay overnight at the Pfeishütte hut; the return route leads via Scharnitz, from where you can easily take the train back to Innsbruck.
Winter tip: It's also worth a visit in winter: the Nordkette is a small but beautiful ski area with one of the steepest runs in the world – a special experience for experienced skiers.
Equipment: Even in summer, you should bring a windbreaker – it's always a few degrees cooler at the top than in the valley.
The Nordkettenbahn – architecture and Alpine flair since 1928
The trip up to the Hafelekar is an experience in itself. Since 1928, the Nordkettenbahn has been taking visitors in three stages – via Hungerburg and Seegrube – directly into the high Alpine and spectacular world of the Karwendel Mountains.
The railway was designed by the renowned Tyrolean architect Franz Baumann, a pioneer of modern Alpine architecture. Even today, the combination of clean lines, functionality, and mountain aesthetics is unique.
Hafelekar A panorama in all directions
To the north, the view extends to the mighty Karwendel Mountains, part of Austria's largest nature park. To the south, the Inn Valley spreads out – with Innsbruck at your feet, the Wipp Valley behind it, and on clear days you can even see as far as the Italian Alps.
Countless mountain peaks can be seen – a sight that inspires awe every time. Up here, you can feel the special magic of Innsbruck: the feeling of being part of both the city and the mountains.
Where physics history was made
The Hafelekar is not only a destination for hikers and day trippers, but also a place with significant scientific history. It was here that Austrian physicist Victor Franz Hess conducted his groundbreaking experiments on cosmic radiation in the 1930s. His discovery that high-energy particles from space strike the Earth earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1936. The research station where Hess worked still stands today—a quiet place of great historical significance, where research and nature come together in a unique way.
Stop off at the Hafelekar restaurant
The small Hafelekar restaurant is almost a piece of Tyrolean contemporary history. Opened in 1928, it was closed for a long time and only reopened a few years ago.
Today, it is rustic, cozy, and wonderfully authentic—not haute cuisine, but genuine Tyrolean tavern culture with a view. Apple strudel, coffee, or tea taste twice as good here, especially when the wind is whistling outside..
Hiking around the Hafelekar
Those who prefer to travel on foot will find numerous alpine pastures along the way to the Hafelekar.
Höttinger Alm – cozy, with a view over Innsbruck
Umbrüggler Alm – ideal for families
Arzler Alm – classic meeting place for Innsbruck residents
Bodensteiner Alm – quiet and scenic
From the Hafelekar mountain station, the famous Goetheweg trail continues to the Pfeishütte hut – one of the most beautiful high-altitude hikes in Tyrol with a 360° panorama.
The tour is not technically difficult, but it is high alpine and relatively long. Good footwear, water, sun protection, orientation, and sure-footedness should not be underestimated. A head for heights is also required.
The hut is an excellent place to stay overnight and hike north to Scharitz the next day. From there, you can take the Mittenwaldbahn railway back to Innsbruck.
Seegrube – Sun, Sound & Atmosphere
Just below the Hafelekar lies the Seegrube (1,905 m), a meeting place for locals and visitors alike. On the large sun terrace, you can enjoy not only the view over Innsbruck, but also live DJs, brunches, and events such as the popular Seegrube Sundays.
Our moment on the mountain
Just below the Seegrube, there are small wooden platforms where you can enjoy your own breakfast – with a beautiful view over Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains. Just the wind, the rocks, and the view all the way to Italy – we always enjoy moments like these.
Practical tips
Getting there: Take the Nordkettenbahn from Congress Innsbruck via Hungerburg & Seegrube to Hafelekar (approx. 20 min).
Opening hours: Seasonal, updated daily on the Nordkettenbahn websiteTickets: The Innsbruck–Hafelekar combination ticket is worthwhile (all sections of the railway included).
Weather: Often windy at the top – don't forget your jacket.
Best time: Early in the morning or at sunset for the best light conditions.
Conclusion – The Hafelekar: Innsbruck's gateway to heaven
The Hafelekar is more than just a viewpoint. It is the place where the city and the high mountains merge, where history, research, nature, and Tyrolean hospitality come together.
Whether you take the train up, hike the Goetheweg trail, or simply enjoy the view, once you've been to the Hafelekar, you'll understand why this place is so special: here, Innsbruck literally lies at your feet.
