Sunrise hike to the top of a mountain, © Tirol Werbung/Jannis Braun
Sunrise hike to the top of a mountain, © Tirol Werbung/Jannis Braun

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

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 - whether without a guide, with a cable car or with a guide.

SUNRISE HIKES WITHOUT A GUIDE

Tirol's majestic mountains provide plenty of action-packed adventures during the day, but at night they become unique vantage points where early risers can see the sun come up over some of the region's most beautiful peaks. Sunrise hikes are popular among locals and tourists, with the Serles and the Nockspitze near Innsbruck as well as the Kellerjoch mountain near Schwaz among the most visited summits for these unique alpine experiences.

Serles (2,717 metres)

Sunrise at the Serles, © Anne Gabl

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.

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…

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Nockspitze (2,404 metres)

Sunrise at the Nockspitze, © Innsbruck Tourismus / Helga Andreatta

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.

The Nockspitze, also known as Saile, is a very popular mountain near Innsbruck which attracts a large number of hikers during the daytime. It…

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Kellerjoch (2,344 metres)

Sunrise at the Kellerjoch, © Silberregion Schwaz

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.

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…

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Gratlspitz (1,899 metres)

Sunrise from the Gratlspitz mountain in the Alpbachtal Valley, © Alpbachtal Tourismus

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).

The summit of the Gratlspitze mountain overlooking Alpbach can be reached via a hiking trail of intermediate difficulty leading up to almost 1,900…

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Rangger Köpfl (1,939 metres)

Sunrise at Rangger Köpfl, © Innsbruck Tourismus

Rangger Köpfl is a popular mountain 10 kilometres west of Innsbruck offering fabulous views of the regional capital and the Inn Valley. Early birds can look forward to a majestic panorama of Innsbruck, the Inn Valley and the surrounding mountains as the sun slowly comes up.

The quickest way to the summit of Rangger Köpfl is from the car park at Stiglreith. It takes around two hours on foot from the car park to the top of the mountain. The ZAMG (Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik) weather service offers an overview of sunrise times for the area around Innsbruck.

 

Rangger Köpfl is a popular mountain 10 kilometres west of Innsbruck offering fabulous views of the regional capital and the Inn Valley. Early birds…

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SUNRISE HIKES WITH CABLE CARS

Those who don't fancy getting up quite so early and would rather take the cable car to the top than walk up themselves will find plenty of mountains in Tirol with gondolas operating early in the morning. During the summer months there are a number of resorts which offer cable car ascents as early as 4:30, taking guests to the top of the mountain early enough to see the sun rise. Many nearby huts offer a hearty breakfast after sunrise.

GUIDED SUNRISE WALKS

Many places in Tirol offer guided sunrise walks for visitors keen to experience an unforgettable early-morning adventure in the mountains. Once the sun has risen, nearby huts offer a hearty breakfast to start the day.

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