Into nature

Imst: Lead me to the source

Imst: When the church towers compete with the mountain peaks(Bild: T. Wenzel)

The region around the Tyrolean district town of Imst is rich in water and history. A cultural landscape spreads out between deep gorges and high mountains, in which there are numerous enchanting beauties to discover.

We are standing in front of St. John's Church. In the middle of the town. A hiking trail with a special touch begins here. The Rosengarten Gorge leads directly from the center of Imst into the middle of the mountains. Along a rushing mountain stream, you walk one and a half kilometers on a well-secured path. A natural spectacle for the whole family. It took millions of years for the Schinderbach stream to carve its way 250 meters deep through the rocky ridges of Imst's low mountain terraces. Constant dripping hollowed out the stone and created a wonderful excursion destination.

Water - this is a central element here in the region around the Oberland district town of Imst, which, with around 11,000 inhabitants and a sunny hillside location nestled between the Fernpass in the north and the Pitztal in the south, is an ideal starting point for hikers, rafters, climbers and other nature lovers. "Imscht" - with a broad SCH, as the Tyroleans say - is also the name of the water. Linguists translate the original meaning as "gushing spring".

Surrounding canyoning and rafting routes(Bild: Christof Nendwich)

It is also fitting that the region has a particularly large number of attractive canyoning routes - including some that can be tackled with children. This form of gorge hiking brings adventurers very close to the springs. For those who first need to familiarize themselves with such water courses, we recommend "Area 47" at the entrance to the Ötztal valley - not far from Imst. The leisure park is the ideal playground to test your fitness for heights and water resistance.

The path through the Rosengarten Gorge is an experience.(Bild: Rudi Wyhlidal)

(Bild: Rudi Wyhlidal)

Back to the Rosengarten Gorge. There, too, children can gain their first canyoning experience on guided tours. An experience, especially when the alpine roses bloom on the rocky slopes in June and July - the alpine beauties that gave the gorge its name. They are of course also at home in the mountains.

INFO

General information about the Imst region with a calendar of events and accommodation at: www.imst.at

• Starkenberger brewery in Tarrenz with award-winning beer specialties and daily guided tours (May-October): www.starkenberger.at
• Information on Austria's largest outdoor leisure park: www.area47.at
• "TschirgArt" festival program (1-11 May 2024): www.artclubimst.at

Imst is surrounded by the Lechtal Alps in the north and the Ötztal and Stubai Alps in the south. Endless possibilities for ambitious climbers and leisurely hikers. The via ferratas are a special experience: well-prepared routes that even beginners with a head for heights can tackle with a mountain guide.

A hike to Fernstein Castle is well worthwhile.(Bild: © West Werbeagentur GmbH)

For those who prefer to conquer the mountain without a climbing rope, there are also plenty of options in the region. One example is the Drei-Hütten hike, where the Hoch Imst cable cars act as a climbing aid. Take the gondola up, enjoy the beautiful view - and off you go! From the Muttekopf via the Latschenhütte and then along the Jägersteig to the Untermarkter Alm. An enjoyable tour, also suitable for children. The reward at the end is a ride on the "Alpine Coaster" summer toboggan run. According to the operators, this is the longest roller coaster in the Alps.

Book a brewery tour at the Starkenberger brewery with award-winning beer(Bild: Mathias Brabetz Photography)

The region has no shortage of natural treasures. But there are also exciting cultural trails to explore here - or to cycle along. The famous Via Claudia Augusta runs past here. It was once one of the most important Roman roads and today runs as a cycle path from Germany to the Adriatic. Award-winning beer specialties can be tasted at the Starkenberger brewery and their origins can be explored on guided tours. Beer has been brewed at Neustarkenberg Castle since 1810. The pretty brewery in Tarrenz can of course be reached via hiking trails. The same goes for the crystal-clear Fernsteinsee - a diver's paradise.

Helge Schneider comes to "TschirgArt".(Bild: Art Club Imst)

The fact that the region has contemporary art to offer alongside historical treasures is guaranteed not least by the Art Club Imst. Even the Rolling Stones have rocked a field here. Today, the Art Club puts on smaller stages, for example at the "TschirgArt" festival in May with exciting crossover. A harmonious soundtrack for a diverse region.