Stubai Valley region
Holidays in the Stubai Valley
Five villages, four cable car areas and a glacier at the head of the valley: waterfalls, mountain lakes, family destinations and alpine pastures all lie within short distances of one another here – and Innsbruck is less than half an hour away.
Briefly explained
What can you do in the Stubai Valley?
The Stubai Valley is a side valley about 35 kilometres long, running south-west from Innsbruck. Five places lie along it – Schönberg, Mieders, Telfes, Fulpmes and Neustift – and at the head of the valley the glacier. Four cable car areas open up the mountains on both sides.
Water and mountains shape the valley: the Grawa waterfall, the WildeWasserWeg, nine mountain lakes, and for rainy or family days the birds of prey park, the StuBay leisure pool and around ten toboggan runs in winter. Each destination below has a link to the official provider and a route planner.
Nature & water
Outside there is enough for many days
Four destinations along the water and high above it – with an honest note on who they suit.
Grawa waterfall
One of the widest waterfalls in the Eastern Alps drops over a broad rock face in the rear Stubai valley. A short water trail and a wooden platform lead close to the spray – on warm days the coolest spot in the valley, and reachable without a long walk.
WildeWasserWeg
Three stages lead from the glacier down past gorges, waterfalls and moorland into the valley. Each stage can be walked on its own; the section past the Grawa waterfall is the most popular and the easiest.
The Stubai mountain lakes
Nine mountain lakes lie in the side valleys and high basins of the Stubai. Some can be reached in an hour from a cable car station, others are a full day tour for experienced walkers – the tourist board lists all of them with times.
Stubaier Höhenweg
Around eight days from hut to hut, high above the valley on both sides – one of the best known long-distance routes in Tyrol. Single sections work well as day hikes from the cable cars if you do not want the whole tour.
Family & culture
Days that also work in bad weather
Four destinations for children, rainy afternoons and anyone who wants to know more about the valley.
Birds of prey park in Telfes
Eagles, owls and vultures at close range, with flight demonstrations during the season. Reached from Telfes on foot or with the Stubaitalbahn – a classic when the peaks are in cloud.
StuBay leisure pool in Telfes
Indoor and outdoor pools, slides, a children’s area and a sauna world. The reliable answer to a wet week – and after a long descent it is not the worst idea either.
Forging tradition in Fulpmes
Fulpmes lived from iron for centuries; tools and climbing gear from the valley are still known far beyond it. The local museum and the historic forge sites tell that story – opening times are seasonal, so check before you go.
Climbing and high ropes
Rope courses, climbing gardens and via ferratas of very different levels lie spread across the valley. For children a course with graded routes is the safer start – the tourist board lists the current providers and difficulty grades.
Summits & cable cars
Four cable car areas, one valley
Each of them has its own character – from the glacier at the head of the valley to the small sun mountain at its entrance.
Stubai Glacier
At the head of the valley the cable cars run up to around 3.200 metres. The viewing platform, the ice grotto and the high-altitude trails are open in summer too – take a warm layer, it is a different season up there.
Elfer in Neustift
The sunny side above Neustift: panorama trails, a playground at the middle station and in winter one of the longest natural toboggan runs in the area. Good for a half day when you do not want a long approach.
Schlick 2000 above Fulpmes
Theme trails, a mountain playground and the Kalkkögel as a backdrop – those jagged peaks are why the range is called the Dolomites of the North. In winter a compact ski area that suits families well.
Serlesbahnen in Mieders
The smallest of the four areas, right at the entrance of the valley. Up top a water playground, gentle pasture paths and a view across to the Serles – the mountain Goethe is said to have called the high altar of Tyrol.
Bike & winter
Active in summer and in snow
The valley works in both seasons – here is what is possible when the days get longer, and what when they get short.
Mountain biking
Marked mountain bike routes lead up to the alpine pastures on both sides of the valley, and the cable cars take bikes in season. Gradients are honest here – the valley is steep, and the descents are the reward.
The valley cycle path
Along the Ruetz from Neustift down to Schönberg runs a mostly gentle path, largely away from the road. Downhill it is easy with children – and the Stubaitalbahn brings you back up.
Skiing
Four ski areas from the glacier down to the small sun mountain, and one ski pass for all of them. The glacier usually opens earliest in the year and closes latest.
Tobogganing
Around ten natural toboggan runs are prepared in the valley, several of them lit in the evening. Sledges can be hired at most of the starting points – the run from the Elfer is the long one.
Cross country skiing
Tracks run along the valley floor between Neustift and Fulpmes, classic and skating. Flat, quiet and a good alternative on days when the slopes are full.
Snowshoe walking
Signposted snowshoe routes lead up to the alpine pastures away from the pistes. Please stay on the marked lines – wildlife needs its rest zones in winter, and avalanche risk is real.
Food & regional shopping
Shop first, then arrive
If you are staying in a hut with a kitchen, you do not need a supermarket on the first evening – you need a good farm.
Stubai farmers market in Neustift
The market at the music pavilion in Neustift is the best way into the valley: cheese, bacon, bread, schnapps, all from farms nearby. It does not take place every day – the dates are listed by the tourist board.
s’Gadile in Fulpmes
The farm shop in Fulpmes brings together what the farms in the valley produce, and it is open even when no market is on. Handy if you want to pick something up halfway to your accommodation.
Straight from the farm
In all five villages farms sell directly: milk, eggs, potatoes, meat, often from a vending machine outside opening hours too. Ask at your accommodation – the nearest one is usually a few minutes away.
Where to shop from where
The Stubai Valley is narrow. From Neustift the farms in the rear valley are closest; from Fulpmes and Telfes the shops on the middle valley floor. For every accommodation we tell you where the nearest shopping is.
Please always check current opening times with the business itself
Eating out in the Stubai Valley
We do not yet have our own tested list of inns for the Stubai Valley – we are working on it. Until then the two directories of the tourist board are the most reliable way on.
In between
Today we simply stay at the hut.
That too is a good day in the Stubai Valley: stove on, book open, Jause on the table. If you are still looking for a place like that – here are our accommodations in the region.
Staying in the region
Here you can stay in the Stubai Valley
The region is the inspiration – the accommodation turns it into your holiday. We know every one of these houses personally.
Getting here
How to get to the Stubai Valley
By trainTo Innsbruck main station, then the Stubaitalbahn tram up to Fulpmes and bus 590 on through the valley to the Mutterbergalm at the glacier. Whether the last stretch to your specific hut works without a car is stated honestly right at the accommodation.
On site with the Stubai Super CardThe card includes the cable cars and the buses in the valley – with it a car stays parked for most days.
By carA13 Brenner motorway, exit Schönberg, then into the valley. From Innsbruck about 20 minutes, from Munich around 2 hours.
All travel information at the tourist board ↗
For dreaming on
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Together for the region
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