Discover active relaxation in Innsbruck alpine paradise

Winter sports enthusiasts need no introduction to the area around Innsbruck. It's a true paradise for winter sports fans. Two years ago, I was skiing in the area, or rather trying to recall how not to fall on skis after more than twenty years. Although I was initially terrified by the sight of the local bunny slopes, which, in my opinion, deserve the title of almost extreme downhill tracks, after a few days, I was convinced by the local instructors that learning to ski in the high mountains is indeed worthwhile.

This time, I decided to ride a bike—a more familiar vehicle, but not particularly close to me either. The mountainous terrain posed some challenges as well. Fortunately, the group I was with in Innsbruck wasn't aiming for extreme cycling experiences, so we chose a less demanding but scenic route on the Mieming Plateau.

By car or public transportation, you can reach Mieming, where we rented bicycles, in about half an hour from Innsbruck. What's more, if you have the Innsbruck Card, you don't need to purchase a ticket for the ride.

The route we selected was described as "easy." Indeed, I believe anyone can complete it if they choose an electric bike like we did. Otherwise, the climbs, the highest of which is over 1,300 feet in elevation, might prove quite challenging.

The 22-mile loop from Mieming, through Wildermieming, Untermieming, Obsteig, and back to Mieming is estimated at three hours of riding. However, it's entirely up to us how much time we spend enjoying the views along the way. And there is certainly no shortage of them. The scenery is so idyllic that there's a constant temptation to stop and contemplate the views.

Yet the desire to see what's around the next bend pushes you forward. And there, another beautiful forest, another meadow filled with lazily grazing cows or sheep, or a charming little village—all surrounded by majestic alpine peaks. And if you decide to explore this wonderful region through your sense of taste by trying local delicacies, you might find yourself spending half a day on the bikes.

Fortunately, we rented the bike for the entire day (paying 40 euros or about $42 for the privilege), so we didn't need to worry about time.

We had plans for the afternoon, so we limited our culinary indulgences to lunch at the family-run Hotel Stern, where we enjoyed such a feast that for a moment, it completely overshadowed the charm of the surrounding nature. While the food was excellent, the non-alcoholic drink we received upon arrival (made with secret ingredients, including a homemade juice exuding sweetness) can only be described with one word—heavenly.

The list of attractions in the region is, of course, much longer. You can hit the trail, or rather one of dozens, if not hundreds, of trails, on horseback, walking, by bike, or with poles. Many trails start directly in Innsbruck, and the sight of people in sportswear with poles or skis doesn't surprise anyone.

With a population of 130,000, Innsbruck is relatively small, yet it hides many places that encourage you to get up in the morning and just set off. One of these is the famous Bergisel ski jump, which we've admired countless times on TV, celebrating the successes of Polish jumpers. You can not only watch the ski jump but also visit it and even have dinner in the restaurant at its top.

You can go up by stairs or take a funicular. If you choose the first option, like us, you can confidently categorize this attraction as "very active relaxation"! A ticket to the ski jump costs 11 euros (about $12).

During our visit, the artificial grass in the landing area was being replaced, so we couldn't watch the jumpers train. Instead, the friendly athlete showed us around the facility and prepared a special surprise for us. Anyone who wanted could sit on the beam. For safety, they put us in a harness and clipped us in so we couldn't find out what it was like to push off the beam, slide, or run (since we didn’t have skis) down the inrun.

The view from the top is breathtaking, and I have increased my immense admiration for the people who decide to leave the beam and head down.

Innsbruck offers attractions related to skiing and the mountains at every turn. Just take the Nordkette funicular (also free with the city card), which first climbs on tracks and then turns into a cable car to reach the world of mountain hiking, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, paragliding, and dozens of other mountain activities.

But you can also climb in the valley town, perhaps up the city tower (Stadtturm) on Herzog-Friedrich-Straße. For just under $5 (or free with the Innsbruck Card), you can climb the narrow, winding stairs to a height of 184 feet and see the city from a completely different perspective. I won't mention the views being beautiful because that's obvious.

We can rest or stroll the streets we've admired from above when we descend. Innsbruck is compact enough to wander without a specific plan—it's perfect for "wherever your feet take you" walks. Keep your eyes open, or you might miss many wonderful gems hidden, for example, on the walls of local tenement houses or walk into a tram traveling between them.

In conclusion, a practical tip: The best and cheapest way to explore the city and its surroundings is with the Innsbruck Card mentioned earlier. The card includes public transportation and the Nordkette funicular ride to Seegrube, even outside the city. It also allows you to see dozens of attractions in Innsbruck and the surrounding area—from the zoo to exhibitions, museums, castles, and palaces to a visit to the famous Bergisel ski jump and the extraordinary crystal museum. The cost of the city card varies based on duration. A 24-hour card costs 53 euros (about $56), a 48-hour card costs 63 euros (about $66), and a 72-hour card costs 73 euros (about $77).