Achensee and the Steam Cog Railway

Achensee is the largest lake in Tyrol, lying about 45 km east of Innsbruck in the Austrian Alps between the Karwendel and Rofan mountain ranges. The usual gateway is Jenbach, reached by train from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof in about 25-30 minutes for roughly EUR 8-10, with departures about every 30 minutes. From the Achenseebahn station at Jenbach, the Achensee steam cog railway climbs to Seespitz at the southern tip of the lake, where lake boats connect to Pertisau and Achenkirch. A regional bus to Pertisau, hourly in season, is the alternative. Door to door the trip takes about one hour 15 minutes.

The cog railway is the oldest steam cog railway of its kind in Austria and is a sight in its own right, with a seasonal timetable and fares set by the Achenseebahn. On the water, passenger boats run between Seespitz, Pertisau and Achenkirch. Pertisau offers lakeside promenades, a swimming area and the walk toward the Gaisalm hiking area, while the clear, deep-blue water draws swimmers, paddlers and sailors in summer. Lakeside paths allow easy walks of one to two hours.

A practical itinerary is to take a morning train to Jenbach and ride the steam train to Seespitz, then board a boat to Pertisau for a lakeside walk and lunch. The afternoon can be a swim or a gentle walk before taking the bus or boat and train back to Innsbruck in the late afternoon. Lakeside inns and cafes in Pertisau and Achenkirch serve Tyrolean dishes and fresh fish.

May to October is the season for boats and swimming, with July and August the warmest and busiest. In December a lakeside Christmas market adds a winter option. Because the steam railway and boats run on seasonal timetables, checking achensee.com and achenseebahn.at before travelling is advisable. Arriving early on summer weekends helps with parking at the lakeside and seats on popular departures. The overall exertion is light, and the day suits families and visitors who want scenery without a strenuous hike.