Nordkette Singletrack Trail in Innsbruck, © Tirol Werbung/Michael Werlberger
Nordkette Singletrack Trail in Innsbruck, © Tirol Werbung/Michael Werlberger

Nordkette Singletrack Trail

Steep, long and very hard work - that is about the best way to describe the Nordkette Singletrail high above Innsbruck. With a total length of 3.2 kilometres, a vertical drop of 1,030 metres and a gradient of up to 36%, it is little wonder that this trail is considered one of the most challenging singletrack trails in Europe. The start is 200 vertical metres below the top station of the Seegrube cable car, where riders can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. Soak it in, because what follows is a long run with lots of banked corners, loose earth, root sections and rock jumps. This legendary trail is rated between S3 and S4, depending on the section.

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Starting point

Top station of Seegrube cable car (1,905m)

Finishing point

Bottom station of Hungerburg cable car (860m)

Mountain chain

Karwendel Mountains

Length

3.2 km

Features

  • Circular route
  • Handicap-accessible
  • Route with e-bike charging station

Difficulty rating

Singletrack diffficult

Altitude

1,900m 870m

Vertical metres downhill 1,000m

Technique

Best time of year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun

Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

* These are approximate values and recommendations. Please take your personal fitness level, technical ability and the current weather conditions into account. Tirol Werbung cannot guarantee that the information provided is correct and accepts no liability.

Parking

Parking available at the bottom of the Hungerburg cable car

Downloads

Trail description

"Alpine meets urban" on this thrilling trail in the mountains to the north of Innsbruck. The best way to access the start is using the Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen cable cars to reach the Seegrube at 1,905 metres. After a short descent of around 200 vertical metres along a gravel road riders will see the clearly marked start of the trail itself. Right from the first few metres this challenging singletrack trail demands full concentration and is only recommended for expert mountainbikers with full proteive equipment and special freeride or downhill bikes. The trail crosses a wide forest road on several occasions, so those who are finding the going too tough do not have to ride it all the way to the bottom.

The most technically challenging part of the trail is just after the start below the bottom of the chairlift. Steep terrain, tight switchbacks, loose earth and big steps are a recipe for fun but seriously tough riding. After a short section in open terrain, the trail heads into the forest. This past is known as "Mischwaldsession" and offers a mix of loose stones and grippy forest floor. The jump over the avalanche strip (which can be avoided) marks the half-way point of the trail. Next up is a forest sectionappropriately named "Wooden Dream". The final part is a combination of roots and forest earth down to the bottom of the cable car at the Hungerburg.

Those who still have enough energy left can ride the cable car back up to the top and do it all again. Alternatively, there is also the option of riding the Hungerburg Trail (S2), which merges into the Arzler Alm Trail (S2), all the way down to the city.  

Tip! Every Friday the cable car remains open until 20:00 for "Extended Play" - a great chance to get in a few quick runs after work.

Place along the route

Arrival date

How to get here by plane, train, bus or car.

Ihr Ziel: Nordkette Singletrack Trail (47.305785919759,11.380881448557)

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