Hiking Tip: Sonnenzeit Panoramic Trail on the Elfer

Panoramic hiking right on our doorstep: high above Neustift in the Stubai Valley

Published on 9/30/26

As a specialized hiking hotel in the heart of Neustift and a leading expert in hiking vacations in Tyrol, we’ve put together another hiking route for you in this article. For us, it’s one of the most beautiful hikes in the valley… and of course, we’ll support you—as always—with plenty of hiking extras right here at the hotel to make your hiking experience unforgettable.

If you’d like to start your day of hiking right from the hotel, this tour is perfect for you. From the Berg Genuss Hotel Augarten, it’s only about a five-minute walk to the Elferbahnen valley station. Just cross the street in front of the hotel and walk about 400 meters to the valley station. From there, take the gondola for a comfortable ride up to the Elfer mountain station. The gondola ride is free for our guests with the Stubai.Super.Card.

• Starting point: Elferbahnen mountain station
• Starting point of the Sonnenzeitweg trail: Sundial at the Elfer
• Best time of year: June through October
• Type: scenic themed and panoramic hike
• Places to stop for refreshments, depending on the route: Elferhütte, Karalm, Pinnisalm

Our Tip for Your Hiking Vacation in Neustift

The Sonnenzeit Panorama Trail is one of the hikes we particularly love to recommend to our guests. The tour can be tailored to suit your fitness level and preferences. If you’d like to take it easy, combine the Sonnenzeit Trail with a stop at the Elferhütte. If you’re planning a longer day of hiking, follow the Panoramaweg further toward Karalm and Pinnisalm

It’s precisely this choice that makes the hike so interesting. It’s best not to decide all the way down in the valley—instead, see how you’re feeling along the way and how much you like the view. We’d be happy to help you choose the right route before you set out with personalized advice from an expert.

1. Start of the hike: From the sundial to the Sonnenzeitweg trail

Shortly after the ascent, the first highlight awaits: the large, walk-through sundial on the Elfer. The wooden timepiece, with an inner diameter of eight meters, is hard to miss. Feel free to take a few minutes here, as a magnificent view of the Stubai Valley already opens up from up here.

• From the sundial, you’ll first walk a short distance toward Pinnistal. After a few meters, the Sonnenzeitweg branches off to the right and heads uphill.
• This is where the actual themed trail begins. Through various stations, it explores time, the sun, and how sundials work. The trail climbs gently through small wooded areas and across alpine meadows. It’s always worth stopping to look back.
• The view across to the opposite side of the valley is particularly beautiful. As the trail leads southward high above the Pinnistal, the striking rock faces and peaks on the other side of the valley seem almost close enough to touch.
• At the upper fork, you have a choice: take the easier route to the Elferhütte, or continue on the Panoramaweg for a more challenging hike.

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Option 2: “Leisurely”—Back to the mountain station via the Elferhütte:

We recommend this route to anyone looking for a manageable loop hike with a nice place to stop for a break.

• At the fork, keep to the right and hike on relatively flat terrain toward the Elferhütte.
• At 2,080 meters, you’ll finally reach the Elferhütte. It’s worth taking a break on the terrace here. On a clear day, the view stretches far across the Stubai Valley and the surrounding mountains. What’s especially nice is that you can watch the many paragliders taking off just above the alpine hut.
• After your break, an easy-to-walk trail winds its way down in switchbacks (somewhat steeper) back to the Elferbahnen mountain station. You should plan on spending about 30 to 45 minutes on this final section.

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3. “Active” Route: Take the Panoramaweg toward Karalm in the Pinnistal

Want to extend your hike? Then turn left at the fork and follow the Elfer Panoramic Trail toward Karalm.

• Now the Elfer reveals yet another side of itself. The trail winds along the mountain slopes, repeatedly offering views deep into the Pinnistal valley. Across the way, steep rock faces tower overhead, while the valley floor lies far below. For us, this section is one of the most scenic parts of the hike.
• Before the trail descends more steeply toward Karalm, you should briefly decide how far you’d like to go today.
• Option 1: Turn back on the Panorama Trail
  If you don’t like walking steeply downhill, simply turn around and hike back along the same Panorama Trail. This is by no means just a last resort: the landscape looks completely different when viewed from the opposite direction, and you can enjoy the view a second time. You’ll eventually reach the mountain station again via the familiar turnoff.
• Option 2: Descend to the Karalm and continue through the Pinnistal
  For the full loop, continue descending to the Karalm at 1,747 meters. This is the perfect spot for a leisurely break.
  The hike then continues through the Pinnistal. The character of the tour now changes significantly: After enjoying the panoramic view high above the valley, you’re suddenly right in the middle of it. The Pinnisbach stream, alpine meadows, and the mighty mountain slopes accompany you on this section.
  Following the forest trail, you continue to the Pinnisalm at 1,560 meters and from there back to the mountain station.

Important: Save some energy for the end. From the Pinnisalm, a long, signposted uphill stretch leads back up to the Elferbahnen mountain station. This final section should not be underestimated when planning the tour.

4. Our personal tip:

Don’t plan every minute of this hike in advance. Especially on the Elfer, it’s worth just stopping for a moment now and then—maybe at the sundial, maybe on the Panorama Trail with a view of the Pinnistal Valley, or later when you stop for a break.

And if you’re still not sure in the morning which of the two options is right for you, just ask us at the front desk. Together, we’ll find the tour that suits you, your fitness level, and the weather that day.

You can find another great hike in the Stubai Valley in this blog post.

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Hiking Extras at the Hotel—Everything You Need for Your Hiking Vacation:

As a specialized hiking hotel for active travelers in Neustift in the Stubai Valley, we want to make hiking as hassle-free as possible for you. That’s why our service doesn’t just start at the trailhead:

• You can borrow hiking poles for free, subject to availability, and hiking backpacks are also available at no cost.
• Your hiking boots are in good hands after your hike in our on-site hiking room, which features a boot dryer.
• With the free STUBAI.SUPER.CARD, you can use the mountain railways for free, and the hiking bus will also take you comfortably to many starting points in the valley. The bus stop is just 50 meters from the hotel.
• Plus, our central location right in the hiking area means many beautiful trails start practically right outside our front door.
• Personalized advice is especially important to us. Hotel manager Stefan knows the Stubai Valley and its hiking trails firsthand and will be happy to help you find a hike that suits your fitness level, your preferences, and the current conditions on the mountain.
• Every morning, you’ll also find hiking and excursion tips in our morning newsletter.
• Once a week, Stefan takes you on a virtual tour during his talk on the “Hikeable Stubai Valley” and shares a few of his personal favorite spots along the way.
• If you enjoy being active with others, you can join a guided hike once a week for free from June through September.
• Early risers can also join hotel manager Helga once a week: Her morning run starts at 7:00 a.m. and lasts about 45 minutes.

And because relaxation is an essential part of a successful day of hiking, we start the morning with a energizing breakfast for hikers. After the hike, your legs can finally get some rest: soothing warmth and peaceful moments await you at the Augartl Spa.

This is exactly what we mean by our “all-inclusive, worry-free” hiking package: good gear, short distances, practical extras, and—above all—personalized hiking tips from locals who love exploring the mountains around Neustift themselves.

“We at the Berg Genuss Hotel wish you a fantastic panoramic hike and an unforgettable hiking vacation with us in Neustift in the Stubai Valley!”

For more hiking tips, check out our Augarten Magazine:
HERE

Helga & Stefan
from the Berg Genuss Hotel in Neustift in the Stubai Valley

Source:
https://www.stubai.at/interaktive-karte/tour/elfer-sonnenzeit/