Cycling the Alpine splendour: A leisurely tour from Innsbruck
Active relaxation can be enjoyed anywhere, but with their beauty and favourable conditions, certain places can inspire even the most dedicated sunbathers to get active. The Alpine regions around Innsbruck are certainly among these places, appearing even more stunning in person than in the glossy brochure photos.
For fans of skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities, the area surrounding Innsbruck is already a well-known haven. It is truly a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. Two years ago, I found myself skiing in the region, reminiscing after over two decades about how not to topple over on skis. Although initially intimidated by the sight of the local bunny slopes, which seem deserving of the title 'nearly extreme downhill trails', after a few days on the slopes, I started to believe the local instructors who claimed that learning to ski in the high mountains is indeed worthwhile.
On a bike in the land of skiers
This time, I opted for a bike ride—a mode of transport somewhat more familiar, though not particularly close, to me. The hilly terrain posed a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, my group in Innsbruck wasn't seeking extreme cycling experiences, so we chose a less demanding but picturesque route across the Mieming Plateau.
You can reach Mieming, where we hired bikes, within half an hour of Innsbruck via either a private car or public transport. If you have an Innsbruck Card, you won't need to purchase a ticket for the journey.
The route we selected was marked as "easy." Indeed, I believe it's manageable for anyone, especially if you, like us and the vast majority of cyclists we encountered along the way, choose an electric bike. Without one, the tallest climbs, which exceed 1300 feet, might be quite challenging.
The 22-mile loop from Mieming, through Wildermieming, Untermieming, Obsteig, and back to Mieming is estimated at three hours of riding. However, it's entirely up to us how much time we spend relishing the views along the way, and there's certainly no shortage of those. The landscape is so idyllic that pausing and admiring the scenery is constantly tempting.
Nonetheless, the curiosity to discover what's around the next bend keeps you moving forward. There, you'll find another beautiful forest, another meadow dotted with lazily grazing cows or sheep, or a charming little village, all surrounded by majestic Alpine peaks. You might spend half a day on the bikes if you also choose to explore this delightful region through its flavours by sampling local delicacies.
Fortunately, the bike is rented for the entire day (costing 40 euros, approximately 35 pounds), allowing us ample time to explore at our leisure.
We had plans for the afternoon, so we limited our culinary adventure to lunch at the family-run Hotel Stern. There, we enjoyed such a superb feast that it momentarily overshadowed even the charm of the surrounding landscape. As excellent as the food was, the non-alcoholic welcome drink we were offered, made with secret ingredients, including a delightfully sweet homemade juice, can only be described as heavenly.
Of course, the list of attractions in the region is much longer. We can embark on one of the dozens, if not hundreds, of trails, whether on horseback, on foot, by bike, or with walking sticks. Many routes start directly in Innsbruck, and the sight of people in sportswear with walking poles or skis in hand surprises no one.
Magical bergisel and city walks
With a population of 130,000, Innsbruck is not very large, yet it boasts plenty of places that entice you to explore early. One such place is the famous Bergisel ski jump, which many of us have admired hundreds of times on TV while celebrating the triumphs of Polish ski jumpers. The jump is not only a marvel to behold but can also be toured, and there is even a restaurant at its pinnacle.
You can walk up the steps or use the funicular to reach the top. If you choose the former, you can certainly consider this attraction a form of "very active leisure"! A ticket to the ski jump costs 11 euros (approximately 10 pounds).
During our visit, the plastic matting on the landing was being replaced, preventing us from watching ski jumpers practising. However, an amiable athlete who was giving us a tour of the facility prepared a special treat for us. Anyone interested could sit in the bar. For safety reasons, though, we were secured in harnesses, preventing us from experiencing the leap from the bar and the subsequent descent, or rather, running down (since we weren't wearing skis) the in-run track.
The view from the top is breathtaking, and my deep admiration for those who dare to push off from the bar and descend increased dramatically.
In Innsbruck, attractions related to skiing and mountains are around every corner. Hop on the Nordkette cable railway (there's no additional cost with the city card), which first climbs on tracks before transforming into a cable car. This transports you into the world of mountain hiking, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, paragliding, and numerous other mountain activities.
Even within the city, situated in a valley, we can ascend, for instance, the city tower (Stadtturm) on Herzog-Friedrich-Straße. For just under 5 pounds (or free with the Innsbruck Card), we can climb the narrow, winding staircases to a height of 184 feet and view the city from an entirely different perspective. The views are breathtakingly beautiful.
Upon descending, we can either rest or wander through the streets we admired from above. Innsbruck is compact enough that no special plans are needed—it's ideal for spontaneous walks, letting your feet guide you. The key is to keep your eyes open, or you might miss countless wonderful gems, perhaps hidden on the walls of local tenements, or collide with a tram navigating between them.
Finally, a practical tip. The best and most economical way to explore the city and its surroundings is to obtain the Innsbruck Card I mentioned earlier. The card grants you access to free public transport within and beyond the city and includes the Nordkette mountain rail to Seegrube. It also provides access to dozens of attractions in Innsbruck and the surrounding areas—from zoos and exhibitions to museums, castles, and palaces, including a visit to the famous Bergisel ski jump and the extraordinary crystal museum. The cost of the city card varies depending on the period you choose. The 24-hour card costs 53 euros (about 46 pounds), the 48-hour card is 63 euros (about 54 pounds), and the 72-hour card is 73 euros (about 63 pounds).
