Hafelekar Mountain (Hafelekarspitze)

The journey to the top of the Hafelekarspitze is all part of the experience, starting with a funicular ride from Innsbruck up to Hungerburg station. From there, cable cars soar up the mountainside, stopping at Seegrube station at 6,250 feet (1,905 meters) and Hafelekar at 7,444 feet (2,269 meters).

Awe-inspiring overlooks can be found at every stop, but the most impressive views are from the Top of Innsbruck vista point, the highest view on Hafelekar at 7,546 feet (2,300 meters). From Hafelekar station, it’s a 10- to 15-minute walk to the summit, from which 360-degree views span Innsbruck and the Austrian Alps to the south and Karwendel Nature Park to the north.

• Plan a minimum of two hours for a round-trip visit to Hafelekarspitze, but you could easily spend a full day on the mountain.

• There are viewing points, restaurants, and restrooms at the Hungerburg, Seegrube, and Hafelekar stations.

• Bring warm clothes and sunscreen—the high altitude means it will be chilly on the mountaintop even in summer, while the sun can be strong even in winter.

• The funicular and cable cars are wheelchair-accessible.

Hafelekarspitze is located just north of Innsbruck in western Austria, close to the German border. From Innsbruck, ride the Hungerburg Funicular to Hungerburg station, then switch to the Nordkette Cable Car to reach the top station of Hafelekar (via Seegrube station) and walk about 10 minutes to the summit. It’s also possible to drive up to the Hungerburg cable car station, where parking is available.

It’s possible to visit Hafelekarspitze all year round, although the cable cars are occasionally closed for maintenance in low season. The most popular times to visit are the summer months of July and August and the winter holidays during December and January, when the funicular and cable cars operate every 15 minutes.

On the way up to the summit, hop off at the Alpenzoo to spot lynx, bears, and wolves, then visit the futuristic, Zaha Hadid–designed cable car museum at Hungerburg station. Winter visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at the Seegrube snowpark or tackle the notorious Hafelekar Run, one of the steepest in Europe. Summer visitors can explore hiking routes, mountain bike trails, and a fixed-rope climbing route. The mountain is also a popular destination for hang-gliders and paragliders.