Obernberg Am Brenner: Lake, Mountains and Culture

Obernberg am Brenner draws visitors to its mountain trails, high-alpine landscape and traces of its cultural heritage. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay here, your planned activities can be a useful starting point: a gentle circular trail runs around Obernberger See, while Route 129 begins as a mountain hike to the Tribulaun. There are also two listed religious buildings and visible traces of mining. Before searching, you can consider whether hiking, the alpine landscape or architectural history is your main priority.

Around Obernberger See

Obernberger See lies at an elevation of around 1,600 m in the “Obernberger See - Tribulaune – Nösslachjoch” nature conservation area. The protected high-alpine valley is surrounded by dense forests, steep rock faces and flower-filled alpine meadows. The circular trail around Obernberger See is an easy 6.0 km hike; walking time is about 2.5 hours. These details give you an approximate timeframe for the day, but trail conditions and local updates may affect your plans. Check the latest information before setting out. Visitors at the lake are asked to stay on marked trails and respect the sensitive flora and fauna.

Hiking trails and getting there

The circular trail around Obernberger See can be reached by S-Bahn to Steinach am Brenner, followed by bus route 570 to the Gh Waldesruh stop. Check the current timetable before travelling, as public transport information may change when schedules are updated. Another hike offers a different focus: Route 129 is a mountain hike to the Tribulaun, starting at the car park at the end of Obernberg. The two hiking options therefore differ in their routes: one is a loop around the lake, the other a mountain hike to the Tribulaun from the car park at the end of the village.

Church and chapel

The parish church of St. Nicholas in Obernberg is a listed building and was built in 1760 and 1761 in the Late Baroque style. The also-listed “Maria am See” chapel is a natural-stone building dating from 1934; its striking frescoes include a depiction of the Coronation of Mary. A tourist description, updated on September 5, 2025, mentions access via a small bridge and highlights the special view across the emerald-green Obernberger See. The two religious buildings have different points of interest: the parish church is notable for its Late Baroque construction, while the chapel features natural stone and frescoes.

Alpine pasture and traces of mining

Steiner Alm is about a 30- to 35-minute walk above Obernberger See, at an altitude of 1,737 m. The walking time is approximate and may vary with conditions. A tourist article updated on September 5, 2025, describes the alpine pasture as a traditionally operated farm with its own dairy, and mentions Tyrolean farmer-style dishes and homemade alpine cheese for hikers. Mining spoil heaps are also still visible today, particularly in Hinterenns, beyond the Waldbauer. They add another trace of Obernberg’s cultural history alongside its church and chapel.

Discover more destinations: Ampass, Sistrans, Oberhofen Im Inntal, Scharnitz, Schönberg Im Stubaital, Götzens, Wildermieming, Mutters

Return to the regional travel overview: Innsbruck-Land.