If Innsbruck is the capital of the Alps, then the Nordkette mountain is the jewel of the Alps. With the Innsbruck cable car, you can stand on one of its peaks within an hour from leaving the city centre. Nordkette literally means the north chain, referring to the range of mountains just north of Innsbruck.
The mountain range makes a powerful and lasting first impression no matter how you arrive in Innsbruck. The Nordkette is part of Austria's largest nature park and its presence is what ultimately defines the city. The breathtaking 360° view from the top of the mountain leaves you speechless - I was lucky to spend an entire day here basking in its wonderful location.
The Innsbruck cable car trip that takes you from the city centre to the Hafelekar (€36.50) on top of the Nordkette is broken up into 3 stages. There are manned ticket offices at the Congress and Hungerburg stations. The other 2 stations have ticket machines where you can only pay by credit or debit card. The Lowenhaus station (on the banks of the Inn River) and the Alpenzoo (Europe’s highest-lying zoo) are the two stops before the cable car reaches Hungerburg, which marks the end of stage 1.
The Alpine glaciers are the inspiration behind the modern design of all the four bottom stations, which stand out amidst the trees and buildings. As I was roaming around in the city centre, I decided to take the cable car from Congress station, just down the road from the Imperial palace. The Hungerburg funicular leaves every 15 minutes. For the best views, try to get room in the front compartment (the furthest away from the tunnel when you leave the Congress station).
The cable car leaving for Seegrube is in a different building (stage 2) from where you disembark when arriving in Hungerburg from Innsbruck. You have time for a few quick photos of the views before waiting in line for the next stage of your Innsbruck cable car trip. If you have time to explore the Hungerburg, the Small Cable Railway Museum (free entry) & the Theresien Church are worth a visit.
Stepping out of the Innsbruck cable car at the Seegrube station, you can either go left towards the restaurant and enjoy the views from the terrace or go right to continue your journey to Hafelekar (stage 3). If you do decide to pause before leaving for Hafelekar, you can either sit and relax with a hot cuppa or cold something (depending on the weather and your taste!) at the Seegrube restaurant. Or you can do the the short and easy walk to a huge rock which the locals call a “relax zone”.
The final destination is Hafelekarspitze. The cable car takes you all the way to 2256 metres above sea level and the final 80 metres to the summit has be done using your legs. It only takes 15 minutes and the fact that you are climbing a summit in the Alps is motivation enough. A picture at the summit cross is a must for every tourist. The 360° view will let you see all the way to Italy in the south and Germany to the north.
At all times of the year, Nordkette is a popular Alpine playground for Innsbruck locals and visitors alike. In the summer months, you can see mountain bikers taking on one of the most difficult trails of its kind in Europe, while rock climbers scale the area’s faces and cliffs. The Hafelekar is also the start of several summer hikes. In the winters, it is a heaven for expert skiers and boarders. The “Cloud 9” Igloo Bar at Seegrube is also the highest nightclub in the Alps during the winter months and I could well imagine the adventure seekers partying hard in this club after a long day out in the mountains.
It is advisable to keep an eye on the weather forecast. It would be disappointing to travel all the way up the mountain for the views if you are going to be trapped in clouds. And don’t forget to take something warm as temperatures can drop quite dramatically in a short space of time. If there is a breeze on the mountain, you will be happy if you have something to cover your ears. I realized this too late! As I made my way to the summit, I really wished I had something warmer to get me through the day.
The Nordkette mountain range thrives on breathtaking contrasts and this is one reason why the region is so popular. The barren landscape behind the Hafelekar station is in stark contrast to the fertile Inn Valley and green mountain slopes to the front. In autumn, the Seegrube dazzles with a bright array of colours. I could not believe my luck when I saw a first sprinkling of snow on the summit. Standing here, I was truly lost for words as I appreciated the beauty of the Alps in all its glory.
The Alpine Zoo, at the foot of the mountains, is home to rare wild animals such as lynx, eagles and marmots. If you're lucky, you might even be able to discover some of these animals roaming free out in the wild.
One of the cable car operators mentioned about the group of alpine ibex that regularly visits the entrance area of the mountain lift station. In the evenings, a fox is known to visit the station every now and again. In the winter, the station provides the animals with shelter from the cold and in the summer, it offers shade from the sun. I was not lucky to spot these animals, but I was more than willing to take the word of the employees who have been working here for years.
I spent a long time walking in the mountains and finding spots where I could just sit and take in the surroundings. There were some beautiful spots which were too good to be true and I didn't feel like leaving this place at all. But, as evening fell and temperatures dropped significantly, I found myself shivering - the howling winds didn't help one bit. Very reluctantly, I made my way back to the Hafelekar station to make the return trip to Innsbruck.
As I reached the city centre and walked towards my hostel, I could not help but look back at this panoramic view with wistful eyes. While reflecting on the time I had in the mountains, I remembered the words I read on the summit - "You shall not desecrate the mountains through record crazes; you shall find their peace and soul (Luis Trenker)". It had been one hell of a day, which I will remember for a long long time.
Comments