Panoramaweg Pleisen Trail

The trail begins at the top station of the Patscherkofelbahn (1,965 m), where you’ll head south past the restaurant and follow signs for the “Panoramaweg.” The path curves gently across the slope, cutting through sections of open hillside and light forest. Then, after about 20–30 minutes, you’ll reach a small rest area with benches. From here, the trail bends back toward the lift, looping in a wide arc.

Continue past a short ridge and along a gravel path that remains mostly level. Here, the views will shift from the Stubai Valley to the Nordkette mountains. You’ll finish by joining a wide path that leads back to the cable car station. There are no steep climbs or exposed sections. Innsbruck is great about having clear signage throughout, and the side trails are well-marked.

To return, you can either hike the same route back to the cable car, or there are two other options. The first is to follow the trail downhill below the life station. The second option is to hike down the (sometimes very steep!) “Axamer Skiabfahrt” ski run to the village of Azams. This will take 1.5-1.75 hours to descend. Enjoy!

The best time of year to hike the Panoramaweg Pleisen Trail is between June and September. While the hike itself doesn’t take you up too many altimeters, Innsbruck itself already sits at 1883 meters. With the highest point of the hike, Hoadl, being at 2340 meters, this means that it can get quite snowy and icy in the later months. If you’re hiking in the shoulder season, make sure to bring microspikes, as these can be helpful. The Innsbruck tourism website also has webcams that will allow you to see the trail conditions before you set out.

Preparing for the Panoramaweg Pleisen Trail can be as easy as throwing some layers and snacks in a bag, or you can take more care to curate your gear for the trail specifically. However, a short day hike like this doesn’t require too much extra gear other than layers and a good pair of shoes.

Additionally, it’s great to bring extra snacks and water for the hike to be prepared. If you’re feeling extra cautious, you can also pack a miniature first aid kit or medication for allergies.

The Panoramaweg Pleisen Trail is rated as medium difficulty for its sustained uphill climb. You’ll be hiking up to the Hoadl for 240 meters, which can demand endurance from you as a hiker. On the other side, you’ll then need to descend for 240 meters, which can also be a bit tough on the joints. Make sure you stretch beforehand, and you should be okay.

If you decide that you want to train for this and other hikes, it can be helpful to work on strengthening your muscles in addition to cardio. Take walks with weighted backpacks or try walking on uneven ground instead of paved walkways. Finding ways to train your balance and endurance in your everyday life is very doable and important if you want to sustain a healthy hiking habit!