Zirbenweg Trail

The easy/intermediate Zirbenweg Trail is a classic among the high-alpine hikes in Tirol. It provides a quick and simple route to amazing panoramas of the Inntal Valley below and offers great views of 400 craggy peaks in the Alps, including many within the Karwendel Massif. Rolling along high above Tirol’s capital Innsbruck and Hall in Tirol, this trail is lined by Europe’s largest and oldest stone pine populations (“Zirbe” in German, giving the trail its name). Some of the trees are several hundred years old. The Ampass Basin is home to what is considered the oldest tree anywhere in Tirol, a more than 700-year-old stone pine. Though much of the trail is under the old pine forest canopy, there are enough openings and clearings to keep the mountains and valleys frequently in view. From May onwards visitors can also look forward to seeing numerous alpine roses lining the trail. To get back down into the valley take the Glungezerbahn cable car and then the bus (540 or 530). Please note that there is a combined ticket available including use of the bus from Innsbruck (route J) as well as use of the cable car up and the cable car back down.
In Igls, take the Patscherkofelbahn cable car up to 1,964 metres above sea level. Follow the signs for "Zirbenweg" (trail 350) leading up above the mountain refuge along a wide path heading east to the somewhat hidden Boscheben Hütte hut at 2,035 metres. Most of the trail is flat and stays at around 2,000 metres above sea level. At the end of the hike, the route leads downhill to the Tulfeinalm hut, then up to the Halsmarterlift. The final downhill section is completed with the Glungezerbahn I+II cable car back down to Tulfes, where hikers can then take a bus back to Igls.