Trail runs in Innsbruck

The routes of the IATF are already published and open for your training runs. The 8 different routes will lead you over the most beautiful trails around Innsbruck. The difficulty of the routes ranges from easy to difficult, so everyone will find a trail to suit them. Whether at the festival or before, head to Innsbruck to run the trails or enjoy the great atmosphere surrounding the Alpine Trailrunning Festival and the World Championships.

Just a few days after the IATF, Innsbruck and the Stubaital will host the second World Trail Running Championships from 6 to 10 June 2023. The elite in trail running will choose their world champions in four different competitions. Don't miss the opportunity to cheer on the world's best male and female runners from the side of the course. After the competitions you can of course also tackle the courses yourself. The highlights of the competitions include the following:

• Vertical (7.2 km; 1020 hm): The opening race of the World Championships is a real challenge: from Neustift in the Stubaital it is only 7 km über 1000 metres uphill. A spectacle with a finish at the Elferhütte.
• Trail Short (45.7 km; 3132 hm): A challenging route from Innsbruck's old town to Neustift in the Stubaital.
• Trail Long (88.8 km; 5554 hm): The royal route demands everything from the participants. From the Stubaital it goes to the Kalkkögeln and on to Innsbruck's old town.

The heart of the Tyrolean Alps is a true paradise for trail running fans. For a brisk evening run, you can head for the forest trails close to the city, or perhaps even set off in the direction of Hungerburg. After starting in the forest, you will reach the steep slopes in the direction of Seegrube. Runs up Innsbruck's local mountains, the Nordkette and the Patscherkofel, are the absolute highlights and a perfect blend of urban and alpine.

The classic in Innsbruck is without doubt the steep route up to the Hafelekarspitze. From the city centre to the finish above the Seegrube, there are an incredible 1800 m to climb. On the other side, the gentle Patscherkofel is a tempting destination. From the mountain station you can start your run with a fantastic view. The Zirben Trail, for example, is a classic.

According to the recommendations so far, you might think that a run has to have at least 1000 metres of altitude and go steeply uphill. But of course that is not the case. Trail running is what you make of it. An easy run in slightly hilly terrain can be just as nice. Moreover, you don't have to run at a steady pace all the time. Steep climbs can also be mastered by walking, and then you can switch back to running on the flatter sections. Just give it a try! At the beginning you don't need much more than running shoes and a small backpack with drinks and snacks. If you like it, you can optimise your equipment step by step.

These routes are ideal for your first trail run in Innsbruck: