Patscherkofel

Overview

geographical classification: Eastern Alps > Tux Alps > Patscherkofel


Patscherkofel is one of the home mountains of the city of Innsbruck. It is neither high nor pretty (more in the contrary because an ugly broadcasting station covers the very summit).
Geographically Patscherkofel is the first mountain of the Tux Alps that fills the area between the higher Zillertal Alps and the Inn valley from Innsbruck downstream and the Wipptal valley from Innsbruck towards Brenner pass.

Cablecars and ski lifts make the climb an easy, perhaps a little expensive, one in all seasons esp. in winter time. Hiking up there in the seasons without snow is also possible. Hardly ever you will be alone here, but meet training sportsmen, hikers, mountain bikers, alpine skiers...

The ski runs of Patscherkofel are famous because of the Olympic Winter Games in 1964 and 1976, when austrian legend Franz Klammer had gained his gold medal in the downhill competition.

Getting There

You can access Igls or Patsch by public transport from Innsbruck or you take your own car - it's not that difficult to find and since there is a ski-resort there're a lot of parking places.

hiking

There are some trails to the mountain from Igls.
I recommend the one from Igls starting at the cablecar station (893 m) via the church and restaurant Heiligenwasser (1234 m), then through the forest to Lanzer Alm (1720 m), from there through larch trees to Patscherkofel hut (1964 m) where you enter the skiing facilities and have reached the top of the cable car. Climbing the summit from there is possible on a steep direct or a boring long route along a scree road.

Most popular is the "Zirbenweg" that starts at Patscherkofel hut. This is a gentle, even walk along the northern slopes of Patscherkofel. It can be exeeded until the Tulfein Alm (2035 m) where another chairlift brings you down to Tulfes and the bus back to Innsbruck

If you want to eat something on you hiking trip at Patschkofel I can recommend two alpine pastures that serve good food and drinks:
- Lanser Alm (1720 m) north of the mountain, in the forest
- Patscher Alm (1694 m), west of the mountains, near the ski run in winter, but with a very nice view to the Stubai valley

a recommendation for a long day in the mountains in summer is:
- taking the cablecar in the morning for an early start at 2000 m. Then first on the Zirbenweg, later on route Nr. 46 to Viggarspitze, and Glungezer hut. From there crossing the ridge and traversing Glungezer (2678 m) to Kreuzspitze (2746 m): marked, some easy rocks. Descending on route 32 to Meißner Haus hut (1720 m) and down in the valley to St. Peter (1010 m, bus station) or climbing back to Boscheben and the Zirbenweg trail back to the cablecar. This would be a long and exhausting day, which I intend to do some time.

Red Tape

as long as you don't want to take the lift it's free of charge - but you won't be alone.

When To Climb

during the whole year as long as there is no snow. Otherwise skiing is possible.

Camping

more information about accomodation:
www.innsbruck-tourismus.com/patsch

Webcams / Weather

You'll find a webcam at
www.patscherkofelbahnen.at

or for another weatherforecast visit
www.alpenverein.at/wetter

A webcam with a view from Nordkette above Innsbruck to Patschkofel on the other side of the Inn valley can be seen
here.

history

Patscherkofel is a mountain with rich history: the lower slopes near Innsbruck are called "Berg Isel". This is where famous tirolean freedom fighter Andreas Hofer lead and won a battle against french troops of Napoleon I in 1809.

modern history means history of sports:
The ski runs of Patscherkofel are famous because of the Olympic Winter Games in 1964 and 1976, when austrian legend Franz Klammer had gained his gold medal in the downhill competition.
near the historic Berg Isel is the stadium for ski jumping - each year at January 3rd part of the famous 4-hill-tournament. And the nearby bob and sleigh run of Igls is also a well-known world class sport facility.

External Links

• official tourism webpage Patsch / Austria
  
  

Images

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