Visiting the peak: beyond Innsbruck
Exploring the Austrian mountains with the HONOR View 20.
National Geographic Photographer Robbie Shone is no stranger to the tranquil beauty of the mountains during winter. In his previous foray around his adopted home of Innsbruck, Austria, Shone toured the city and showed off the wonderful sights that could be visited there.
For those wanting to aim higher, exploration lies in the mountains surrounding Innsbruck and the beautiful natural areas that open up to you. In his latest assignment, Shone travelled around the slopes surrounding his home to share a taste of the awe-inspiring vistas that you can discover.
“Getting out of Innsbruck is the key,” said Shone. “While there are plenty of historical buildings to visit within the city limits, there’s nothing quite like the mountains. If you take the time to get high up and see the Alps, I guarantee that you will be rewarded with an unforgettable experience.”
Aiming High
The Karwendel mountain range stands in close proximity to Innsbruck, and one of its more interesting characteristics comes from its status as a physical border between Austria and Germany.
“The Karwendel range isn’t particularly big,” says Shone. “Germany is actually only 20-30 miles away. When you visit certain vantage points, you can actually see the nearby mountains that are already part of German territory.”
Among the most famous of these vantage points is Hafelekar Peak. Nestled 2,300 meters above ground, the peak is accessible through a short walk from Hafelekar station. The 10- to 15-minute amble is more than worth your time, because you’re soon treated to a full 360-degree panorama overlooking Innsbruck and the surrounding elevations.
When travelling around the slopes, you may also be interested in stopping by the mountain huts. Built to provide shelter to hikers and other travelers, most mountain huts are closed during the winter. This is due to walking trails and roads becoming covered in snow, rendering many huts inaccessible.
However, a small number, like Mountain Hut Dohlennest, are actually only open during the winter. Located on the women’s Olympic downhill slope, this particular hut is a great place for both travelers and winter athletes to congregate and relax before continuing on with other activities.
As the day draws to a close, and people begin to make their way back to the city, a quiet peace begins to envelope the area, providing a great opportunity to enjoy the mountain hut and secluded surroundings.
A Word About Safety
Though the mountains are ripe for exploration, Shone cautions that visitors should err on the side of caution when traveling around the area.
“You should always make sure that you’re aware of your surroundings,” said Shone. “Many footpaths are covered by snowfall during the winter, and you’ll need the right equipment to hike through the deep snow. The mountains are beautiful in the evening, but it’s best that beginners only explore the area when there is sunlight.”
Shone also adds that the cold can play tricks on certain smartphones and cause them not to work – which is the last thing you want to deal with when in unfamiliar territory.
“One of my phones simply wouldn’t work in the sub-zero temperatures,” shared Shone. “Fortunately for me, this wasn’t an issue with the HONOR View 20. I was able to wander around, use the phone, and take photographs with no issues.”
This is the last of a three-part series. Visit the ‘See the Unseen’ HONOR Gallery to get a close look at the other areas that Robbie explored. The sharp details shown in the photo were made possible by the 48MP camera’s AI Ultra Clarity mode on the HONOR View 20.
