The Wipptal Valley begins just a few kilometres south of Innsbruck and extends all the way to the Brenner Pass. It has many side valleys of its own, flanked by the peaks of the Stubai Alps and the Tux Alps.
The Wipptal Valley runs south from the regional capital Innsbruck as far as the Brenner pass, where Austria joins Italy. This 33km valley is flanked by the Stubai Alps and the Tux Alps as it gently rises towards the border crossing and then gently descends as far as the town of Brixen/Bressanone on the Italian side. Its relatively low altitude has made it a busy north-south trading route for many centuries. The main valley and its many side valleys with their traditional villages and untouched landscapes are popular with hikers in summer. Two settlements, Vals and St. Jodok im Valsertal, are designated hiking villages and the starting point for challenging hikes near the main ridge of the Tux Alps, including up to the mighty Olperer at 3,476m.
Ski tours at the Sattelberg mountain and hikes through a sea of alpine flowers
In winter it is Steinach am Brenner, the largest town in the Wipptal Valley, which serves as the starting point for skiers and snowboarders wishing to explore the Bergeralm, a small but perfectly formed ski area with slopes for all abilities. Cross-country skiers will also find plenty of trails in the valley, while at high altitudes there are plenty of options for fans of ski touring. One such option is the Sattelberg mountain near Gries, where skiers can cross over the border into Italy. The mountain is located at the entrance to the Obernbergtal Valley, popular in summer with mountain bikers and hikers thanks to its idyllic lake at the end of the valley. Slightly to the north lies the steeper-sided Gschnitztal Valley with its Rhaetian villages and craggy peaks. From the valley it is easy to access the famous Blaser, famous for having more alpine flowers than any other mountain in Tirol.
The Wipptal Valley runs south from the regional capital Innsbruck as far as the Brenner pass, where Austria joins Italy. This 33km valley is flanked…
