The Imst Climbing Center is one of the highest climbing gyms in Austria and is located in the center of the small town in the Tyrolean Oberland. And all around it, a biotope of opportunities has developed on this fertile breeding ground, allowing climbing to flourish in all its facets: Well-secured sport climbing routes, alpine multi-pitch climbing, tough bouldering moves or idyllic via ferratas. Around Imst, you can find pretty much everything the vertical world has to offer.
The only thing is that with over 3,000 routes of all levels of difficulty in the portfolio, the biggest challenge is probably deciding where to go. Of course, this is almost impossible for us too, but we would like to offer you a little guidance here. But one thing can be said in advance: Everyone who likes to feel rock under their fingertips will be happy in the vacation region.
Imst: Best of sport climbing 1st Imst / Reithle
Climbing in Reithle, photo: Imst Tourismus
"Gem" is a pretty good description of Reithle. The area is hidden in the dense forest below the Untermarkter Alm, the conglomerate blocks are a good 15 meters high. Whether you want to hang out on one of the more than 60 sport climbing routes or simply do a few boulder traverses, anything goes here. The area is also well suited for families with children due to its comfortable wall base. However, you should head here in warm temperatures, as there is not much sun here!
Approach & topo: Imst / Reithle
2. climbing crags near Nassereith
Overview of the sectors in the Nassereith climbing garden, photo: Climbers Paradise
AlthoughNassereith is a good distance from Imst, it is still part of the vacation region. In 2007 in particular, the walls that tower above the village were extensively developed. The protection is correspondingly good and there is now even a sign on the edge of the village saying "Kletterer- und Seendorf Nassereith". The walls here have a correspondingly high status, with well over 100 routes to choose from, from very easy four-pitch routes to 35 m endurance hammers in the upper levels of difficulty. The walls of Nassereith are south-facing, and fall and often even a sunny winter day promise ideal conditions.
Angela Eiter can often be found on the Götterwandl, here in Zerirs (8c+), photo: Bernie Ruech
With the exception of the Götterwandl: the shady, heavily overhanging wall is home to the Adonis deities, routes up to difficulty level 9a+ can be worshipped here. Heaven help!
Approach & topos: Nassereith
3rd Imst / Hahntennjoch
Rough high mountain limestone and panoramic views at their best: climbing high up on the Hahntennjoch. Photo: Climbers Paradise
A climbing garden with high mountain flair in the middle of the Lechtal Alps: the Hahntennjoch leads from Imst into the Lechtal valley, right at the top of the pass at over 2000 meters above sea level is this fantastic, south-facing climbing garden in bombproof rock, which can be reached in just 30 minutes. And for all those who like it harder, there is also the inviting Psychowandl below the road with primarily hard routes, even at the exposed base of the wall good nerves are required here!
Approach & topos: Imst / Hahntennjoch
Imst: Best of multi-pitch routes Imst / Muttekopfhütte
Climbing with a view in the Muttekopfhütte area high above Imst, photo: Michael Meisl
The Muttekopfhütte is something like the ABS ("advanced basecamp") of the Imst vertical disciples, a climbing area straight out of a picture book. The Alpine Club hut, situated at almost 2000 meters, offers just about everything you need for happy days on the rock in the immediate vicinity: "The climbing up here offers something for everyone. Whether sport climbing, multi-pitch or via ferrata, the Imst rock kitchen serves up a varied buffet here," says legendary Imst climbing world champion Angy Eiter, herself a frequent guest at the hut. And the buffet at the hut itself is also rich in variety, because an old mountaineering rule always proves true: if you want to climb well, you have to eat well! And you can be sure of that at the Muttekopfhütte, the cuisine is renowned beyond the borders of the Lechtal Alps.
Angy Eiter in her "home territory" around the Muttekopfhütte, photo: Michael Meisl
Once your stomachs are full, you're ready to go: Off to the rewarding crack routes on the Engelkarturm, to the Genuss-Henkeln on the east side of the Guggerköpfl. Or to the Hintere Platteinspitze, where the "Plattenzauber" even manages a whopping 18 pitches of climbing enjoyment.
If you are simply overwhelmed by all the options around the hut, here are two tips: Firstly, pick up the new climbing guide for the Muttekopf area by Alfred Flür, available at the hut. And secondly, just stay up there for a few days!
Approach & topos: Imst / Muttekopfhütte Blog: "Ski & Climb" in the Muttekopfhütte area Imst: Best of bouldering
Bouldering in the Schwammerlwald forest high above Imst, photo: Simon Schöpf
After so much alpine flair, it's good to ground yourself: in the Imst area, you can also stay close to the ground and comfortably approach with a crash pad. Either in the aforementioned Reithle or below the Untermarkter Alm, where numerous boulders in rough high mountain limestone have been developed in recent years. If you decide to take the cable car, you can even take a comfortable walk downhill to the boulder problems!
Approach & topos: Bouldering Hualig Almeck Blog: Bouldering with a view in Hoch-Imst
