About Nordkettenbahnen
Nordkettenbahnen is Innsbruck's signature cable car system, connecting the city centre directly to the high-alpine terrain of the Nordkette mountain range in a matter of minutes. The journey begins at the architecturally striking Hungerburgbahn station designed by Zaha Hadid, sweeps up through the Hungerburg neighbourhood, and continues via two aerial gondola stages to the Hafelekar summit at 2,334 metres. It is one of the only cable car systems in the world that runs from a major city centre to genuine alpine terrain without a car journey in between.
In winter, the Nordkette Skyline Park offers freeride and freestyle terrain for experienced skiers and snowboarders, with natural off-piste lines that rival anything in the Tyrol. The compact ski area at Seegrube is ideal for a quick afternoon session — you can be on the slopes within 20 minutes of leaving central Innsbruck. In summer, the upper stations serve as the starting point for hiking trails across the Karwendel Nature Park, one of the largest protected alpine areas in Europe. Paragliding launches, via ferrata routes, and mountain running trails all begin from the Seegrube and Hafelekar stations.
The Nordkettenbahnen experience is as much about architecture and views as it is about sport. Zaha Hadid's four futuristic stations are landmarks in their own right, blending flowing organic forms with glass and concrete against the mountain backdrop. The panoramic terrace at Seegrube offers what many consider the best view of Innsbruck, the Inn Valley, and the distant Stubai Alps. Whether you are riding up for a ski session, a summit hike, or simply a coffee with a view, the Nordkette is the defining Innsbruck mountain experience.
