Here Comes the Sun! Top Mountains in Tirol to Watch the Sun Rise

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1 Here Comes the Sun! Top Mountains in Tirol to Watch the Sun Rise Sunrise hike to the top of the Serles mountain, Tirol Werbung/Emanuel Kaser There are few experiences like watching the sun rise over Tirol from one of the region's most beautiful mountains. Bask in the magical atmosphere as the first rays of the morning fill the air with their warming glow wether without a guide, with a cable car or with a guide. Serles (2,717 metres)

2 The early-morning hike up to the top of the majestic Serles between the Stubai Valley and the Wipptal Valley is certainly not the easiest way to start the day, but the fabulous sight of the sun rising over Innsbruck, the Inn Valley, the Karwendel Mountains, the Stubai Alps and the Tux Alps is a fine reward for all that hard work. The quickest route to the top of the Serles starts at the Maria Waldrast monastery and takes around 3 hours. The ZAMG (Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik) weather centre provides an overview of the sunrise times for Innsbruck and the surrounding area. Nockspitze (2,404 metres)

3 The Nockspitze, also known as Saile, is a very popular mountain near Innsbruck which attracts a large number of hikers during the daytime. It overlooks the Inn Valley, the Wipptal Valley and the Stubaital Valley. The ascent to its summit leads along a well-maintained trail and is not particularly difficult, making it ideal for those still a little bleary-eyed from getting up so early. The reward for all that hard work is a spectacular view of Innsbruck and the three valleys as the sun comes up accompanied, if you are lucky, by nobody but a herd of sheep. The hike onto the Nockspitze mountain starts in the car park of the Axamer Lizum ski resort. The hike itself takes around 2.5 hours and climbs roughly 1,000 vertical metres. The ZAMG (Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik) weather centre provides an overview of sunrise times for the region around Innsbruck. Kellerjoch (2,344 metres)

4 Its exposed position at the heart of the Tux Alps means that the Kellerjoch, also known to locals as the "Kellner", offers outstanding views of the surrounding area. High above the town of Schwaz, early risers can look forward to a majestic panorama stretching from the Kitzbühel Alps and the Großvenediger to the Zillertal Alps (including the Olperer) and the Stubai Alps as far as the Karwendel Mountains on the other side of the Inn Valley. Around 100 vertical metres below the summit is the Kellerjochhütte, where hikers can enjoy breakfast once the sun has risen. There are several routes up onto the mountain from the Inn Valley and the Zillertal Valley. One of the most popular starts in the village of Hochpillberg near Schwaz. It takes around 2.5 hours and climbs roughly 1,000 vertical metres. The ZAMG (Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik) provides an overview of sunrise times in the region around Innsbruck. Gratlspitz (1,899 metres)

5 The summit of the Gratlspitze mountain overlooking Alpbach can be reached via a hiking trail of intermediate difficulty leading up to almost 1,900 metres above sea level. The views of the Karwendel Mountains, Kitzbühel Alps and Hohe Tauern are spectacular. The hike to the summit of the Gratlspitze starts at the car park next to the Holzalm in Brixlegg. It takes around 1 hour 25 minutes to complete the 440 vertical metres to the top. For information on sunrise times for the area around Innsbruck please check with the local weather office ZAMG (Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik). Kitzbüheler Horn (1,996 metres)

6 During the summer months the Kitzbüheler Hornbahn cable car transports early risers up onto this iconic mountain from 4:30 in the morning. From the top of the cable car it is just a ten-minute hike to the summit of the Kitzbüheler Horn, where a stunning sunrise accompanied by traditional music awaits. Visitors can look forward to a spectacular panorama stretching from the Wilder Kaiser Mountains to the Leogang Rocky Mountains and the Hohe Tauern Massif with some of the highest mountains in Austria. After sunrise there is a healthy and hearty breakfast in the Horngipfel-Haus with plenty of regional delicacies. Those who wish to can also take part in a guided hike through the beautiful alpine flower garden nearby. Dates: Every Sunday between July and September 2018 from 4:30; transport via the Kitzbüheler Hornbahn cable car Ticket: 39 incl. ascent and descent as well as breakfast and guided hike. Please register by 17:00 the day before by calling or sending an to hornbahn@kitzski.at Zugspitze (2,962 metres)

7 The Tiroler Zugspitzbahn cable car offers early-morning ascents in late summer and autumn, giving those who manage to get up early enough the chance to experience sunrise atop Germany's highest mountain. There is also the option of breakfast in the restaurant at the top of the mountain, but be sure to book early: places are often sold out at the start of the year. Dates: Every Sunday between 9 September and 21 October 2018 Ticket: 45 for ascent and descent, 20 for breakfast. Book early for breakfast: or welcome@zugspitzeresort.at Wiedersbergerhorn (2,127 metres)

8 From late July until early September the Wiedersbergerhornbahn cable car runs a special early-morning sunrise service every two weeks. The six-man gondola takes bleary-eyed visitors up to 1,850 metres above sea level, from where they must walk around 45 minutes to the summit of the Wiedersbergerhorn mountain at 2,127 metres. The path is suitable for families. As they make their way towards the peak, hikers will see the sun slowly rise behind the craggy mountain ridges an unforgettable experience. Sturdy footwear and a headlamp are required. Once back at the top of the cable car, a hearty breakfast awaits at the Berggasthof Hornboden. Dates: Every second Sunday between 28 June and 6 September 2018 Ticket: 10 in advance (ascent & descent), 15 on the day. Advance tickets can be purchased up to one day in advance from all the branches of the Alpbachtal Seenland Tourism Board. Telephone: Sechszeiger Pitztal (2,392 metres)

9 In summer the cable cars leaving from the village of Jerzens in the Pitztal Valley run early-morning ascents up onto the Sechszeiger mountain, whose summit can be reached in around 15 minutes via a gondola and a two-man chairlift. Early riders can then enjoy a hearty breakfast in the Zeiger-Restaurant at the mid-way station before returning into the valley. Dates: 25 August 2018 and every Thursday from 30 August until 20 September 2018 Ticket: 26 for ascent, descent and breakfast. Please register the day before by 17:00 with the Pitztal Tourist Board by calling or mailing info@pitztal.com Ahornplateau Mayrhofen (1,980 metres)

10 Between 5:00 and 6:00, before the sun has risen, participants on this hike take the largest gondola in Austria, the Ahornbahn, up onto the Ahornplateau, where they can enjoy the sunrise over a hot cup of tea. A hearty breakfast is then served at an on-mountain restaurant. Dates: Every Thursday in July and August 2018 Ticket: 32,80 incl. ascent, descent and breakfast. Please register by 14:00 the day before with the Mayrhofner Bergbahnen by calling or by sending an to info@mayrhofner-bergbahnen.com "StubaiBlick" Viewing Platform (2,160 metres)

11 Early in the morning, at 5:30 to be precise, the Kreuzjochbahn cable car in the Schlick2000 ski resort in Fulpmes transports hikers up to the Kreuzjoch ridge and its "StubaiBlick" viewing platform, where they can watch the sun rise over the peaks of the Stubai Alps. Dates: 11, 18 and 25 August 2018 from approx. 5:30 Kraftalm Itter (1,355 metres)

12 Accompanied by guide Elke, this two-hour sunrise hike starts in Itter and leads through forests and meadows, past old farmsteads and up to the Kraftalm church of pilgrimage constructed in As the first rays of sunshine fall on the church, early risers can look forward to a magnificent panorama stretching from the craggy Wilder Kaiser Mountains to the Inn Valley and the many side valleys branching off to the north and south. After sunrise there is an early morning prayer service in the church followed by a hearty breakfast at the Alpengasthof Kraftalm. Date: 5 August 2018 Details: Meeting point is on the village square in Itter at 4:00. Please register by sending the Hohe Salve Tourist Board an itter@hohe-salve.com Rangger Köpfl (1,939 metres)

13 Rangger Köpfl is a popular mountain near Innsbruck offering fabulous views of the regional capital and the Inn Valley. The local tourism office in Oberperfuss organises guided sunrise hikes during the summer months. Early birds can look forward to a fabulous panorama of Innsbruck, the Inn Valley and the surrounding mountains as the sun slowly comes up. Dates: June until September (dates for 2018 still TBA) Ticket: Free for guestcard holders. Please register one day in advance with the tourism office in Oberperfuss by calling or sending an to oberperfuss@innsbruck.info Torseen Lakes in the Tuxer Tal Valley (2,258 metres)

14 Definitely one for early risers! This seven-hour adventure (total walking time: 4.5 hours) at the end of the Zillertal Valley begins at 4:15 in the morning, when all those who have managed to make it out of bed in time are picked up by a minibus and taken to the Nasse Tux Alm hut. From there, the hike to the Torseen lakes is of intermediate difficulty but offers spectacular views of the sun rising over the mountains. Hikers then continue to the Ramsjoch (2,508 metres) and the Grüblspitze (2,395 metres) before walking down to the Eggalmbahn cable car, which transports them back down to the village of Lanersbach. Dates: Still TBA for 2018 Steinplatte Waidring (1,869 metres)

15 In the summer months there is a guided sunrise hike to the Steinplatte Waidring mountain in the Pillerseetal Valley every Monday. Leaving from the centre of the village, the hike takes around three hours and gives participants the chance to see the run rise atop one of the most iconic mountains in the north-east of Tirol. Dates: Every Monday from 1 May until 30 October 2018 Details: Meeting point by the tourism office in Waidring at 5:30. Please register the day before the hike by calling or sending an to info@wandern-pillerseetal.at Ticket: from 25 Hintere Goinger Halt (2,192 metres)

16 The Hintere Goinger Halt offers some of the most spectacular views in the Wilder Kaiser Mountains. It is also considered one of the most accessible peaks in the region around the Ellmauer Tor. Once a week there is a guided sunrise hike for experienced walkers leaving from St. Johann. Total hiking time is around 6.5 hours. Among the many mountains visible from the peak of the Hintere Goinger Halt are the Fleischbank, Christaturm, Totenkirchl and Predigtstuhl. Dates: Every Tuesday from 4 July to 10 October 2018 Details: Meeting point is at the Koasa Boulder climbing centre in St. Johann (meeting time depends on time of sunrise), please register by 12:00 the day before with the tourist office in St. Johann by calling Ticket: 50 with St. Johann Card ( 65 without guestcard) Astenau Alpe (1,482 metres)

17 The Astenau Alpe by Lake Achensee is a popular and easy-to-reach destination in the Rofan Mountains offering fabulous views of the Kaiser Mountains all the way to the Zillertal Alps, the Inn Valley, the Stubai Glacier and the Karwendel Mountains. One of the best ways to enjoy the view is at sunrise. The hike from the valley to the summit takes around 4 hours. Dates: 7 June and then every second Thursday from 14 June to 18 October 2017 Details: Meeting time (depending on sunrise time) beween 4:0 and 8:30 in the morning at the carpark Eben in Maurach. Please register one day in advance by 20:00 by calling or sending a mail to wanderprogramm@achensee.com