Sunrise hike to the top of a mountain, © Tirol Werbung/Jannis Braun
Sunrise hike to the top of a mountain, © Tirol Werbung/Jannis Braun

Here Comes the Sun! Top Mountains in Tirol to Watch the Sun Rise

There are few experiences like watching the sun rise over Tirol from one of the region's most beautiful mountains. Bask in the magical atmosphere as the first rays of the morning fill the air with their warming glow - whether without a guide, with a cable car or with a guide.

SUNRISE HIKES WITHOUT A GUIDE

Tirol's majestic mountains provide plenty of action-packed adventures during the day, but at night they become unique vantage points where early risers can see the sun come up over some of the region's most beautiful peaks. Sunrise hikes are popular among locals and tourists, with the Serles and the Nockspitze near Innsbruck as well as the Kellerjoch mountain near Schwaz among the most visited summits for these unique alpine experiences.

Nockspitze (2,404 metres)

Sunrise at the Nockspitze, © Innsbruck Tourismus / Helga Andreatta

The Nockspitze, also known as Saile, is a very popular mountain near Innsbruck which attracts a large number of hikers during the daytime. It overlooks the Inn Valley, the Wipptal Valley and the Stubaital Valley. The ascent to its summit leads along a well-maintained trail and is not particularly difficult, making it ideal for those still a little bleary-eyed from getting up so early. The reward for all that hard work is a spectacular view of Innsbruck and the three valleys as the sun comes up – accompanied, if you are lucky, by nobody but a herd of sheep.

The hike onto the Nockspitze mountain starts in the car park of the Axamer Lizum ski resort. The hike itself takes around 2.5  hours and climbs roughly 1,000 vertical metres. The ZAMG (Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik) weather centre provides an overview of sunrise times for the region around Innsbruck.

The Nockspitze, also known as Saile, is a very popular mountain near Innsbruck which attracts a large number of hikers during the daytime. It…

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Kellerjoch (2,344 metres)

Sunrise at the Kellerjoch, © Silberregion Schwaz

Its exposed position at the heart of the Tux Alps means that the Kellerjoch, also known to locals as the "Kellner", offers outstanding views of the surrounding area. High above the town of Schwaz, early risers can look forward to a majestic panorama stretching from the Kitzbühel Alps and the Großvenediger to the Zillertal Alps (including the Olperer) and the Stubai Alps as far as the Karwendel Mountains on the other side of the Inn Valley. Around 100 vertical metres below the summit is the Kellerjochhütte, where hikers can enjoy breakfast once the sun has risen.

There are several routes up onto the mountain from the Inn Valley and the Zillertal Valley. One of the most popular starts in the village of Hochpillberg near Schwaz. It takes around 2.5 hours and climbs roughly 1,000 vertical metres. The ZAMG (Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik) provides an overview of sunrise times in the region around Innsbruck.

Its exposed position at the heart of the Tux Alps means that the Kellerjoch, also known to locals as the "Kellner", offers outstanding views of the…

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SUNRISE HIKES WITH CABLE CARS

Those who don't fancy getting up quite so early and would rather take the cable car to the top than walk up themselves will find plenty of mountains in Tirol with gondolas operating early in the morning. During the summer months there are a number of resorts which offer cable car ascents as early as 4:30, taking guests to the top of the mountain early enough to see the sun rise. Many nearby huts offer a hearty breakfast after sunrise.

GUIDED SUNRISE WALKS

Many places in Tirol offer guided sunrise walks for visitors keen to experience an unforgettable early-morning adventure in the mountains. Once the sun has risen, nearby huts offer a hearty breakfast to start the day.

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