Grinzens: Senderstal Valley, Nature and Local History

Grinzens combines natural and mountain attractions with local architectural history and theatrical tradition. When planning your stay, you can choose according to your interests: the Senderstal Valley offers a protected landscape, hiking and climbing, and seasonal tours; the parish church and Moos Chapel invite you to explore the village’s history. Natural attractions also have different conditions: snowmelt and rain affect Lake Salfeinssee.

Senderstal Valley and Natural Attractions

The Senderstal Valley in Grinzens is a protected natural area and a starting point for hikes and climbing tours. The small Lake Salfeinssee lies in the Senderstal Valley and appears after the snow melts or following heavy rain. If you are planning to visit, bear in mind that water is not present all the time. Adolf Pichler Hut can be reached on foot or by bike as an excursion destination. Its seasonal opening period is stated as June to mid-October; check whether the hut is open on your planned visit date.

Winter Routes Through the Senderstal Valley

The natural toboggan run to Kemater Alm leads from Grinzens through the Senderstal Valley, follows the Sendersbach stream, and climbs to the alpine plateau. The Grinzens–Kemater Alm hut approach is a ski tour from Grinzens through the Senderstal Valley to Kemater Alm. Another ski tour leads from Grinzens through the Senderstal Valley to Salfeins. The destinations are therefore distinct: the toboggan run and hut approach lead to Kemater Alm, while the other ski tour leads to Salfeins. The route along the Sendersbach stream and the climb to the plateau make up two distinct sections of the toboggan run. Snow and access conditions can change; snow and avalanche conditions on the ski tours can also vary. Check current conditions before setting out. In winter, driving to Kemater Alm is strictly prohibited.

Church, Chapel and Theatrical Tradition

The foundation stone for Grinzens Parish Church was laid in 1952; Bishop Dr. Paulus Rusch consecrated the church on June 13, 1954. Its distinctive south tower has narrow viewing slits, round-arched sound openings, and a tent-shaped roof. The window openings and roof shape give the tower two distinct architectural features.

Moos Chapel lies in the fields north of Grinzens and is a popular destination for hikers and walkers. After a fire in 1974, it was rebuilt by the Grinzens Volunteer Fire Department. The farming community’s theater is also part of local culture: the long-standing tradition was revived by the “Sendersbühne” folk theater. The chapel and theater represent different aspects of the village—a building’s history and a continuing stage culture.

Alpine Specialties at Kemater Alm

Kemater Alm serves typical Tyrolean alpine specialties on the terrace or in its cozy dining room. The menu may change seasonally; check it before your meal if needed.

Discover more destinations: Axams, Inzing, Obernberg Am Brenner, Navis, Fulpmes, Sistrans, Leutasch, Pfons.

Go to the main travel overview: Innsbruck-Land.