Enjoy a feelgood family holiday in the Innsbruck region this summer

Getting youngsters excited about going on a hike can be a challenge, but Oberperfuss offers something a little different that might help stir their enthusiasm: on the Sagenweg trail (“Legend trail”), there are “tree beards” ready to tell fantastic stories to young explorers at the touch of a button and give them puzzles to solve. If they get the answers right, they will receive a reward when they head back to the cable car. Yet children often love the challenge of going on a proper trek to a mountain summit too. The route that leads up from the Patscherkofelbahnen mountain station to the striking transmitter mast and the summit cross at 2,248 metres above sea level is not too difficult and even reasonably fit grandmas and grandpas can easily manage it. The wide path with a gentle uphill gradient is also suitable for larger-wheeled pushchairs. Another highlight for families here on Innsbruck’s home mountain is Kofele’s educational bee trail, where information boards offer fascinating facts about these hard-working insects and there is a challenge to work out the mystery word on your way to the Hochmahdalm mountain inn – where there is also a little surprise in store for younger hikers who get it right.

If you prefer adventures in the animal world, then a llama trek at the Aschlandhof on the Mieming Plateau would be ideal for you. These gentle creatures will guide you through the landscape at a leisurely pace. Llamas may be curious by nature, but they will maintain a respectful distance to begin with, so these trips are also perfectly suitable for children as long as they are careful. For a chance to see some local farm animals up close, head to the Wirtshaus Natterer Boden inn, where you will find goats, pigs and donkeys, along with ponies for little visitors to ride. And you can also treat yourself to some tasty refreshments while you’re there. Another unmissable family-friendly destination for animal lovers is Innsbruck’s Alpine Zoo, where you can see ibex, bears, lynxes, amphibians and all kinds of bird and fish species that hail from the Alpine region. The zoo is perched on the mountainside high above the city’s rooftops, but you can easily reach it by taking the Hungerburgbahn funicular, just a short walk from Innsbruck’s old town. 

What the Innsbruck region does best is fun-filled adventures in spectacular natural settings – such as a hike to the Drei-Seen-Hütte mountain inn in Kühtai, at an altitude of 2,000 metres. On your way you will pass sparkling turquoise mountain lakes surrounded by imposing peaks before you eventually reach an oversized wooden cow, which younger hikers will love: standing at 6.5 metres tall, this feature has a tube slide and plenty of space to hide in, so little ones will have a great time playing on it. Another place where families are sure to find plenty of fun is the Abenteuerberg Muttereralm, an adventure playground featuring a varied range of inviting play areas, well-designed interactive stations with water wheels and a ball run. While the kids are busy climbing, balancing and exploring, their grown-ups can take a moment to pause and admire the views of the surrounding mountainscape. Meanwhile, older children might enjoy the challenge of riding on mountain carts or working on their cycling skills in the beginners’ area at the Bikepark. 

The Innsbruck region offers plenty of camping options with space to play, relax in the fresh air and enjoy the mountain panorama. One example is the Gerhardhof campsite in Wildermieming, which boasts deluxe glamping tents and yurts as well as traditional camping pitches. Another popular place for families to stay is the Ferienparadies Natterer See resort, with its campsite right next to a bathing lake, a range of sports and watersports activities for all ages and a multilingual entertainment programme for children and teenagers. The Judenstein campsite in Rinn has a different vibe, but is just as scenic – and ideally located for those who want to stay close to the city but still want to camp out among the forests and meadows. And if you prefer to have a more solid roof over your head, we recommend the Landgasthof Stern in Obsteig: along with modern rooms with larchwood decor, a sauna, an eco-friendly indoor pool and locally inspired cuisine, this country hotel offers a woodland playground, a tipi and an outdoor children’s programme for babies and older age groups right on the doorstep.

With the Welcome Card, you can enjoy even more variety on your holiday in Innsbruck and the surrounding area while helping the environment too. This free card is available for guests staying at partner accommodation providers for at least two nights and serves as both an advantage card with free or discounted entry to various sights and attractions and a ticket for bus and train travel throughout the region.