Pertisau
Village on the western shore of Lake Achensee, at the foot of the Karwendel
Inn valley
Igls
Olympic village above Innsbruck with the Patscherkofel as its home mountain.
Igls sits on a plateau south of Innsbruck, about 5 km from the city centre at roughly 870 m. Now a district of Innsbruck, it lies at the foot of the Patscherkofel and makes a quiet base with mountain views.
Igls became internationally known through the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. The artificial-ice track for bobsleigh and luge was here, and the men's Olympic downhill was held on the Patscherkofel. The Patscherkofelbahn cable car takes visitors up to the summit at 2,246 m, with walking and cycling routes in summer and ski runs in winter.
For families staying in Niederau, Igls is a nice mix of Innsbruck and mountains. Visit the city, then ride up by cable car, or take a winter walk along the bobsleigh track. The Tiroler Landesmuseum is in Innsbruck itself, not in Igls. Check current cable car operating times beforehand. Allow enough time, bring warm clothing and a packed lunch, and check the weather forecast beforehand so the trip is worthwhile for everyone.
- Drive from Niederauapprox. 70 min.
- Elevation870 m
- RegionInn valley
- Best forSuits families combining city and mountains, and fans of winter sports history.
What to see and do
- Ride the Patscherkofelbahn up to the summit at 2,246 m.
- Olympic bobsleigh and luge track from 1964 and 1976, which you can see on a walk.
- Winter walk along the bobsleigh track, for example to a hut on the way.
- Mountain bike and walking routes around the Patscherkofel in summer.
- Skiing on the Patscherkofel, Innsbruck's home mountain, in winter.
From Niederau
From Niederau about 1 hour 10 minutes by car, via Wörgl and the Inn valley motorway towards Innsbruck.
Always check times, prices and opening dates with the provider beforehand; they can change.
Frequently asked questions
What is Olympic about Igls?
For the 1964 and 1976 Winter Games the bobsleigh and luge track was here, and the men's downhill was on the Patscherkofel.
How high does the Patscherkofelbahn go?
The cable car starts at the edge of the village and ends on the Patscherkofel at 2,246 m.
More places in Inn valley
Achenkirch
Village at the northern end of Lake Achensee, with lake, mountains and cross-country skiing
Maurach
Village at the southern end of Lake Achensee with steam railway and Rofan cable car
Rotholz
Hamlet near Jenbach with Schloss Rotholz and the Bibelweg to the Rottenburg
Ehrwald
At the foot of the Zugspitze, home of the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn
Leutasch
High valley in the Olympiaregion Seefeld with the Geisterklamm and Gaistal
Kirchbichl
Inn valley village with a warm mud-bottom lake and the prehistoric Grattenbergl hill
Breitenbach am Inn
Sunny Inn valley municipality with the Berglsteinersee and the Blessenberg
Useful guides
Day trips from Niederau: 7 outings with route and programme
Innsbruck, Kitzbühel, Kufstein, Achensee, Zillertal and more, with drive times and day plans.
Getting to Niederau: by car, train, plane and on the spot
Everything about the trip to the Wildschönau and getting around the valley, from motorway to ski bus.
When to visit Niederau: month by month
From ski season to autumn colours: what is open and how busy it gets, period by period.
Stay in Niederau Partner
Hotel Wastlhof, partner of Niederau.nl, is a family-run hotel with an indoor and an outdoor pool, wellness and its own riding stables, right in the village. For more places to stay and information you can also contact the Wildschönau tourist office. Personal recommendation, no payment involved.
To Hotel Wastlhof · Wildschönau tourist office · More about staying in Niederau