Opening hours:Open today
Place:
Absam
:
Alpine pasture / hut / mountain restaurant
This stage of the Eagle Walk is where you get the best of both worlds – the urban sophistication of an historic city and remote mountain wilderness. Follow the track towards the Lafatscherjoch ridge, continue onto the Wilde-Bande-Steig trail towards the Stempeljoch ridge and then make a steep ascent to Stempeljoch saddle before you gently descend to the Pfeishütte hut. On a gentle upward path, proceed towards the Arzler Scharte col, where the Goetheweg trail starts. From there on out, a steep climb leads up to Mandlscharte and then on to the Mühlkar. Make your way uphill between Gleirschspitze summit and Mandlspitze summit, where the view extends over the Inn Valley and the surrounding mountain ranges such as the Tux Alps and the Stubai Alps. Continue hiking on the Goetheweg trail towering high above the glistening Inn river in the valley below. From Hafelekar, you can take the Nordkette Gondola down to Innsbruck, the lively capital city of Tirol. Architectural gems lurk around every corner in the oldtown. Stroll around the quaint streets of this magical town, where you will find a host of exciting sights and attractions.
It's time to grit your teeth and push through – the city feeling of Innsbruck awaits at the stage finish. But before the cool glass of Aperol Spritz in Maria-Theresia-Straße, there is one more challenging stage of the day – with names such as Lafatscher Joch, Stempeljoch, Pfeishütte and Hafelekar. Here we float down to the city centre with the cable cars and funicular railway of the Nordkettenbahn.
trail description: From Hallerangerhaus Lodge follow the footpath towards “Lafatscher Joch”. The path takes you through a scree and talus field that is getting steeper and narrower as you walk along. The trail will then lead to the so-called “Durchschlag” (here the old mule-track was built into the rock) and you will pass a cross before reaching a plateau (where you will find a turnoff towards Speckkarspitze Peak). Walk across the plateau to the north and you will soon reach Lafatscherjoch Saddle. At the saddle, follow signage to “Pfeishütte”. This trail is a gentle downhill stroll. Follow signage to “Pfeishütte” and/or “Pfeishütte über Wilde-Bande-Steig”. The pristine Wilde-Bande-Steig Trail is a gentle ascent taking you along dwarf pines and across gullies until you reach the entrance to the cirque below Stempeljoch Saddle. Follow signage to “Stempeljoch” and/or “Pfeishütte”. You have to master steps made of planks and ropes. The trail is getting steeper, while the unstable scree ground will be easier further uphill. Turn right at the saddle and stroll down along meadows and Alpine pastures towards Pfeis Hut.
The way-marked Goetheweg Trail (No. 219) has its trailhead at the hut. The trail is a gentle ascent to the basin south of the shelter. Follow the next turnoff towards “Mandlscharte” and/or “Hafelekar Bergstation”, then take the right fork (to the left the trail branches off towards Arzler Scharte) and a wide loop will take you uphill crossing a scree and talus slope to gain Mandlscharte Notch. The descent on the backside leads through talus before merging into a well-maintained and rather broad path that evenly crosses the talus beneath rock faces. This section offers a scenic view of the backside of lofty Nordkette Range. After a short climb, the trail changes to the side of the Inntal Valley, where a few switchbacks will take you downhill. This is followed by a gentle ascent along an excellent path on the grassy southern flank of Nordkette towards the west until you reach Hafelekar Top Terminal. Always follow signage to “Hafelekar Bergstation” and/or “Goetheweg”. This final section of the trail meanders from the north to the south side of the ridge time and again.
You’ll make your way around and up the cliffs along Goetheweg Trail assisted by a fixed anchoring system of cables.
Ride Nordkettenbahn Gondola and space-age Nordkette Funicular down to the heart of Tirol’s lively capital Innsbruck. An alternative route is to walk downhill, and visit the Alpine Zoo on your way down.
