Innsbruck, Austria – One of the Most Naturally Beautiful Places I’ve Been

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Hafelekar, Innsbruck, Austria

Readers always ask me where is my favorite travel destination, but the answer depends on what your looking for in a destination. I want different things at different times, but if you like winter sports and natural, alpine beauty, it would be difficult to top Innsbruck, Austria. Three times host to the Winter Olympics, Innsbruck has nine ski areas for alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Their winter sports menu also includes tobogganing, ice skating, alpine-style curling and even a ride in an Olympic bobsleigh. Today, I toured many of the ski areas as well as the city center and was left wide-eyed, mouth agape at every stop. Here are a few photos from my day. 

Hafelekar 

Hafekekarrinne, Innsbruck

Hafekekarrinne, Innsbruck

One of the best viewing spots in Innsbruck is at the top of the Hafelekar, 7,402 feet. The Hafekekarrinne ski run is one of the steepest in Europe. With a grade of 70%, this run is reserved for real experts. Regardless if your skiing skills are up to par or not, Hafekekarrinne is an unbelievable sight. I’m not an expert skier, but I rode the cable car to the top for the sights. At only 20 minutes from the city center, it was worth every second.

Every stop along the way to Hafelekar offers sports for varied levels. At Seegrube, I chatted with a mother of two who was tobogganing with her young children. Since the lifts are accessible for everyone, including parents with strollers, she was able to play with her kids at 6,250 feet. This would be the best spot to enjoy the outdoors with a family. It was more my ski level, a long way down from Hafelekar, and provided a panoramic view of the city and beyond. There was a place to eat, rest, and possibly even sun tan.

I went to Hafelekar for the views but I could have stayed at Seegrube all day.

Nordkette Mountain Range

Cable Lift on Nordkette, Innsbruck

Seegrube, Innsbruck

Seegrube, Innsbruck

Still River Bridge from Old Town

Innsbruck Bridge

Innsbruck lies at the intersection of two important traffic routes, between Germany and Italy and between Vienna and Switzerland. The bridge into Old Town was once the only way into the city. I had heard that the scenery there was postcard perfect so I went for a short walk to find out for myself. When I came out of the narrow streets, this is what I saw. I think it speaks for itself.

Bergisel Ski Jump

Bergisel Ski Jump, Innsbruck

Bergisel Ski Jump, Innsbruck

Bergisel Ski Jump Stadium, Innsbruck

Breathtaking views of Innsbruck as well as a fascinating ski jump venue with an Olympic past can be found at Bergisel Ski Jump Stadium. Standing at the top of the Bergisel Ski Jump made Hafelekar look tame. While the views of the city blew me away, my really amazement was with the capabilities of skiers who’ve mastered this jump.

 One of the Most Naturally Beautiful Places I’ve Been

To be honest, I though Innsbruck would be at the bottom of my list of places in Austria yet it has come out on top. Nowhere else in the world is the dividing line between an urban area and rugged mountain terrain so thin. I could get use to a life in Innsbruck.

52 thoughts on “Innsbruck, Austria – One of the Most Naturally Beautiful Places I’ve Been”

  1. The mountains in Europe can be so breathtaking can’t they. You should put Lake Brienz in Switzerland on your list. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been!

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  2. I spent a wonderful Christmas in Innsbruck in 2012. Would love to go back–it’s a beautiful city and being surrounded by the Alps…amazing. No matter where you look, you see their majesty.

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  5. Awesome, yes Swiss wood be good, I am here at this momment. Geneva, one foot in Swiss and other in France. Austria is heavenly beautiful for ski. Whole Alps area is great. I watched ski jumping 2 times, that is really spectacular. Wish you to have amazing time 🙂

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  8. one of my favorite places too! Skied Stubai glacier years ago, loved taking the tram to Innsbruck past the ski jump. Lovely city.

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  9. I was there in 2012 just for a day. I love how the Alps are right there in people’s back yards. That was the most striking thing for me.

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  11. Definitely a great city…we have fond memories of making snowballs there in August. Interesting way to loo at Innsbruck; the thin line between rugged nature and urban life-very insightful, never thought of it that way. Have a great trip.

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  14. Just beautiful! When I lived in Italy, I went to Austria once with my son. Just thinking about it makes goosebumps pop up all over my skin. I have been so many different places, but I have to say that Austria is definitely one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. These were beautiful pictures and just reinforces my memories of the beauty of Austria!

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  24. I have only been through Innsbruck briefly on a pass-through to Italy (14 years ago, with my host family from Germany where I was living). I remember feeling so tiny in the shadows of those mountains!

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  28. Pingback: My Article Read (3-29-2014) (3-31-2914) | My Daily Musing

  31. Hi,
    very very nice article!!! Thank you for writing about Innsbruck. I am from Innsbruck tourism board and would like to ask you if we can make a teaser on our blog blog.innsbruck.info to your article?
    Have a nice day and keep in touch 🙂
    Renate

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  35. Pingback: Innsbruck - a bucket list destination - blog.innsbruck

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  38. You’ve captured the essence of this truly stunning landscape! I went there once and despite being a non-skier, I was still in awe of this resort 🙂 Thanks for visiting and liking my post “Radiate Love”.

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  40. HEY ! 😮 And Innsbruck is even CLOSER to my home place, Sonthofen ! =D Only about 100 or 120 km straight line ! ^_^

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  50. Great read … I studied in Innsbruck and it is an amazing place to live, too.

    One minor remark: Innsbruck hosted the Olympics twice (1964 and 1976) not three times.

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