Walk on the Nordkette to Pfeishütte

0.00km - TURN RIGHT as you leave the Hafelekar mountain station building (2,269m). A few metres up you’ll see a passage through a low wall leading to your RIGHT. This is where the Goetheweg trail begins. A signpost for Pfeisshütte Lodge will make it easier to get your bearings - stick to this trail and always follow STRAIGHT AHEAD. The Goetheweg trail is relatively flat, well-developed and runs along the southern slopes of Hafelekarspitze (2,334m) and Gleirschspitze (2,317m).

1.00km - After Gleirschköfeln (2,266m), the path descends a few metres to Gleirschjöchl (2,210m). Here, you can make a 30-minute detour to Gleirschspitze Mountain, if you wish. Continue STRAIGHT AHEAD on the southern slopes of Gleirschspitze to Mühlkarscharte (2,243m).

1.70km - There’s a short ascent to Mühlkarscharte. You’ll now switch to the northern side of Innsbruck’s Nordkette mountain range. The Goetheweg trail now leads over some rocky terrain and screes to the north towards the so-called Zugspitzblick. From this lookout point, in good weather you’ll be able to see Zugspitze mountain peak, as the name might suggest. Now our trail bends to the right and leads up the slopes of Mandlspitze (2,366m) to Mandlscharte.

3.00km - You’ll find yourself on Mandlscharte, the highest point of your hike today. To the north you’ll see Gleirschtaler Brandjoch (2,372m) and Mandlspitze to the south. Pfeishütte Lodge is now entirely downhill from here. You’ll descend into the wide basin via a number of sharp bends, always following the signs for Pfeishütte Lodge and ignoring any paths leading off to the sides. At first the terrain is barren and rocky, but the mountain pine trees become denser and greener the lower you descend.

4.90km - You will reach Pfeishütte Lodge.

4.90km - Take the same route back to Haferlekar mountain station.

The last cable car descent off the mountain is normally 16:30.