Hafelekar, Innsbruck

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The final stage of the Nordkettebahnen, the Hafelekarbahn, takes you by cable car from Seegrube to Hafelekar station which is just 15 to 20 minutes walk from the summit of Hafelekarspitze. The summit is 2269m above sea level and the path from the station to the summit is well defined and you are unlikely to be alone as this is a very popular destination for visitors.

Despite the numbers you still won't feel crowded up here as everything feels so open, clean and free. It's a breathtaking view and an experience that I won't forget. It allows those of us who don't have the physical strength or fitness to usually get to a summit to get that 'summit experience' with relatively little difficulty.

A little surprise was the herd (if herd is the right collective noun?) of mountain goats that came running through the people. I just love these goats!

There is a little restaurant/cafeteria at the Hafelekar station which is basic in terms of decor and comfort but the food is tasty (if simple) and the views down over Innsbruck are unbeatable.

The pictures I took up here are amongst some of my favourites ever beacuse of the memories I have of being here so I've put them in a number of travelogues.

You can't go to Innsbruck without going up the Hafelekar. From the peak, which is 2,334 metres high, you have awe-inspring views of the Alps (and of what now seems tiny Innsbruck).

To go up there you must take the Hungerburgbahn and Nordkettenbahn cable cars. (While going up, I saw some people hiking up the mountain. Now there's a challenge!)

Once you get off the Nordkettenbahn, you must climb a bit higher on foot to reach the peak of the mountain. There is a cross in front of which you will probably want be photographed to prove you made it to the top.

Visit the Hafelekar Mountain (2300 meters). A nice view of the city of Innsbruck and the Alps can be seen from there.