With a huge range of rock climbing routes, the region around the small town of Imst is one of the top climbing locations in Tirol.
Experienced climbers will enjoy the high-alpine terrain on the Hahntennjoch mountain with its challenging "Psychowandl" rockface or the more than 2,700-metre-high Hintere Platteinspitze, while beginners and families will find plenty of easy climbing in areas such as the "Botanischer Garten" near Nassereith and the Klettergarten Walchenbach.
The indoor and outdoor climbing centre in Imst offers no fewer than 200 routes, giving climbing enthusiasts the chance to scale the heights whatever the weather. And, last but not least, tired climbers descending from the rock climbing area next to the Muttekopfhütte or the Latschenturm rockface can take the easy way down on the Alpine Coaster, a summer toboggan run winding its way down the mountain to Hoch-Imst.
Sport climbing in the region around Imst
Climbers with experience in high-alpine terrain should head for the south-facing Hahntennjoch. With more than 130 routes, including some suitable for beginners, the Rote Wand in Karres is also a good tip. However, most of the climbing areas are to be found near the small town of Nassereith. An example is the Klettergarten Sparchet with over 100 routes categorised from 3 to 9 on the international difficulty rating scale.
All sport climbing routes at a glance
Multi-pitch routes in the region around Imst
There are no fewer than ten areas around Imst offering multi-pitch climbing routes. One of the most popular can be found on the Hintere Platteinspitze mountain at almost 2,700 metres above sea level. The rockfaces at the Gamspfeiler near Nassereith also offer challenging but safe climbing. The Engelkarturm is another good tip for those who like long climbs, while the recently created routes on the Muttetürme can be combined with a ski tour in the spring.
All multi-pitch climbing routes at a glance
Via ferrata in the region around Imst
The beautiful Hanauer Klettersteig via ferrata, which includes a long rope bridge, is suitable for both beginners and experts. Climbers wishing to take on the Leite-Klettersteig via ferrata should have good general fitness and strength. Families and beginners will enjoy the relatively short via ferrata near the Muttekopfhütte hut. Nearby but more challenging is the Imster Klettersteig via ferrata at 2,200m, which now has a new descent. It includes some difficult sections (category D).
All via ferrata climbing routes at a glance
Ice climbing in the region around Imst
At up to 80 metres in height, the waterfalls in the Salvesenklamm gorge near Tarrenz are ideal for ice climbing in winter. The gorge is surrounded by majestic scenery. The walk to the waterfalls takes around 30 minutes.
More about climbing in the Savesenklamm gorge
Climbing centres in the region around Imst
With 110 indoor routes, 90 outdoor routes, walls up to 22 metres high, more than 2,200 square metres – the climbing centre in Imst is one of the largest in Austria. Beginners can take climbing lessons. There are also three bouldering centres in Tarrenz, Imst and Karrösten.
All climbing centres at a glance
Climbing for families in Imst
Built just a few years ago with the help of local schoolchildren, the Kofnertal climbing area near Hoch-Imst has excellent safety stadards and is ideal for beginners. A little further below, near a waterfall, is the Putzenwald climbing area with a somewhat larger variety of routes measuring up to 32 metres in length. Families wishing to climb near Nassereith should head for the Botanischer Garten on the edge of the village. There is also a climbing area between Tarrenz and Walchenbach. This has both easy routes for beginners and more challenging routes for advanced and expert climbers.