Mountain Hike
Hafelekar Innsbruck - Goetheweg - Pfeishütte

This ten-kilometre-long day hike along Goetheweg trail is arguably one of the best hikes in the environs of Tirol’s capital Innsbruck. The trek is of moderate difficulty and introduces walkers to the rugged terrain of the Karwendel Mountains and to its softer sides, its verdant, flower-studded meadows and lush dwarf pine fields. Destination end of this hike is the Pfeishütte, a rustic lodge with quaint parlors and an ample, sunny outdoor patio at an elevation of 1,950 metres. A truly special experience is to spend the night at the Pfeihütte: watch the sun set behind the mountains in the evening and see it rise again the next morning. Memories that will stay with you forever!

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Starting point

Innsbruck – Hafelekar (top terminal)

Hike to

Pfeishütte

Finishing point

Innsbruck – Hafelekar (top terminal)

Mountain chain

Karwendel Mountains

Length

10.5 km

Total hiking time

5h

Features

Wheelchair-accessible Hiking Route
Circular hike

Difficulty rating

intermediate (red mountain trails)

Altitude

2,314m 1,922m

Elevation uphill 720m
Vertical metres downhill 720m

Fitness level

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.

Public transport

Accessible using public transport

Bus routes 504, 505, J, get off at stop Nordkettenbahn. Railway station Innsbruck

Parking

Car park at bottom of Nordkettenbahn cable car

Places serving food and drink

Pfeishütte (June until October)
Arzler Alm (April until November)
Restaurant Seegrube at Nordkettenbahn cable car (Seegrube station)
Café Penison Alpina at Nordkettenbahn cable car (Innsbruck-Hungerburg station)
Many locations in the centre of Innsbruck

Downloads

GPS data: Hafelekar Innsbruck - Goetheweg - Pfeishütte (gpx)

Trail description

The Goetheweg trail begins at the top terminal (Hafelekar) of the Nordkettenbahn cable cars and meanders eastwards. Close to the ridgetop, the trail undulates up and down (always follow signage to “Pfeishütte”), climbs the Gleierschjöchl col and eventually crosses the ridge at Mühlkarscharte. The route continues along the northern side of the Nordkette Mountains and below the Mannlspitze peak. A short, brisk climb takes you atop the Mannlscharte ridge, the highest elevation on this walk, topping out at 2,314 metres. On the other side of the notch, a short descent takes you down to wide open meadows and dwarf pine fields which you have to traverse on your way down to the Pfeishütte. Once replete and replenished, retrace your steps to the top terminal of Hafelekar. Ride the Nordkettenbahn gondola and space-age Nordkette funicular down to the heart of Tirol’s lively capital Innsbruck.

An alternate route is to walk downhill to the top terminal of the Nordkette funicular at Hungerburg along trail 217. Beginning at the Pfeihütte, this downhill route traverses the Arzler Scharte ridge, visits the beautiful Arzler Alm hut and takes roughly 3½ hours to complete. Most of the trail is on rough talus slopes which require careful footing and experience.

Recommended: Take some time to get an eagle's eye view of the mountains using the Eagle Views at the Seegrube and Hafelekar stations high above Innsbruck. These special sightseeing telescopes viewers offer breathtaking 360° views of the surrounding ranges.