Innsbruck

Wednesday, 6th July 2011

 

Walk: Kreith to Fulpmes
Start Point: Kreith tram station Distance: 5 miles
Ascent: 480 feet Descent: 600 feet
Time: 2 hours    
Weather: Hot and sunny all day
Comments:

Free day

As it was raining when I went to Innsbruck last week I decided to make another visit and to walk part of the way back. When I arrived at the bus stop there was a large group of teenagers waiting, along with a few other people. It didn't help that when the bus arrived it was almost full! It didn't seem to matter how many more people wanted to get on at each stop, we were just squashed further onto the bus.
Alighting the bus on the edges of Innsbruck I was able to make my way to some of the places visited previously, but this time in the sun. The imperial Gardens were well worth a visit, and very relaxing after the bus journey. It was pleasant just wandering around the streets of the Old Town but the Botanic Gardens were rather disappointing - probably the wrong time of year to see them at their best.
For the return journey I caught the Fulpmes tram to disembark at Kreith and walk back. After being close to a very noisy group on the tram the peace and quiet of the small hamlet of Kreith was delightful. There were good views across the valley, including Serles which was yet to come, and down to Elferspitze which we climbed yesterday.

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

The Triumphal Arch, built by Empress Maria Theresia who was so unhappy about the death of her husband, she gave the order to build a monument on the main artery of Innsbruck's south end.
 

Many of the buildings have these bay windows which are beautifully decorated

 

The City Tower . . .

 

and the Golden Roof, now in the sun

 

A very ornate hotel graces The Square in the Old Town

 

Archduke Leopold V was the ruler of Tirol from 1619 to 1632

 

Transport - old and new

 

At the entrance to the Imperial Gardens . . .

 

we are told about a special stone . . .

 

that sits within the gardens . . .

 

surrounded by grass and trees

 

Flower display in the Imperial Gardens . . .

 

and a nearby pond

 

Looking across the Inn River to the surrounding mountains

 

A typical street in Innsbruck

 

A lizard in the Botanic Gardens . . .

 

where this flower display caught my eye

 

Back in the Old Town . . .

 

there are lots of places to eat 'al fresco'

 

I was the only one to leave the train at Kreith . . .

 

which has a different spelling to that on the maps

 

Walking on my own gives time to . . .

 

play around with . . .

 

photos of flowers . . .

 

even if they are quite common

 

A very tidy woodpile - using the trees for support

 

Looking across the valley

 

An unusual flag pole holder

 

Fulpmes with Elferspitze behind

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