Innsbruck was an opportunity for mountains close up, albeit a tourist town. It was also a convenient stop to break up a long train ride to Munich.
The weather was ideal when we arrived so the first activity was to take the Nordkette Klettersteig. This combination of a cog train and two cable cars lifted us to the 7,400 foot altitude Hafelkar point. From here many short hikes are possible as well as the long one back down to Innsbruck. The girls hiked up one trail but soon left Russ behind while Barb decided that 7400 feet was quite enough.
A visit to the Alpenzoo was a highlight. This zoo, billed as the highest in Europe, is home to over 2000 birds and animals, all of which are native to the Alps.
Our hotel looked down on the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dach), which is “ground zero” for tourist groups to the city. It is 2,657 gilded copper tiles built by Emperor Maxmilian in 1494.
