Courses
The courses are rich in variety, challenging, iconic – and definitely worthy of a world championship. The title races will be held in some of the most scenic places in the Alps, such as the Kalkkögel – the so-called “Dolomites of North Tyrol”, at the foot of the Elfer peak – offering views of the Stubai Glacier -, and along the Nordkette, the iconic mountain range towering above Innsbruck: A sight to behold for both athletes and spectators.
VERTICAL
TRAIL SHORT
TRAIL LONG
MOUNTAIN
CLASSIC
VERTICAL
The vertical is a worthy WC opener. The challenging route covering 7 kilometers in distance and 1,020 meters in altitude is sure to provide for a white-knuckle contest. There will be two separate runs to determine the world champion among the men, before the contest moves on to challenge the world elite among the women.
The leisure center in Neustift serves as the starting area for both women and men; after a short round through the village that serves for the athletes to find their position in the field, the route leads uphill on narrow and steep forest trails. This is where it gets interesting, as position matches and passing maneuvers will be quite challenging on the narrow switchbacks.
After the first 4 kilometers, the so-called Autenalm, dating back 350 years and at an altitude of approx. 1,665 m, serves as a first orientation marker for the leading field. From here on, the route passes through flat terrain for a short distance. This is where the field will be sorted anew in preparation for the final ascent, which starts at the Panoramabahn Elfer top station, leading up to the Elferhütte, with the peaks of the Stubai Alps as a backdrop. It is to be expected that this last kilometer - with an ascent of more than 200 meters - will be where the title race will be decided.
Irrespective of where along the route the spectators find themselves, they will be able to follow the entire race via live stream. The route offers ideal conditions for spectators to be close up to the action. The starting area, the initial round leading through the village and the first meters uphill can all be reached by foot from the center of Neustift.
Our tip:
The Panoramabahn 11er will take you to the top station quickly and comfortably. You can follow the finishing race either from here, walk down to the Autenalm (approx. 35 minutes) or position yourself along the route.
Special experience:
In the lead-up to the WC, there will be an open vertical contest. Any sports enthusiast can get a bib number and scale the 11er on the actual WC route. upon reaching the top you are in a pole position to cheer on the pros on their last meters, just like in Alpe d'Huez - a truly special experience.
Additional information:
Around the 11er Panoramabahn top station you won’t only find various gastronomical offers but there’s also a choice of hiking and climbing routes for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition, the mountain is a hotspot for paragliders - weather permitting, you might be able to get back down by means of a paraglider.
Further information on the Elfer: here
TRAIL SHORT
The Trail Short, on the 2nd WC race day, is sure to provide high-class trail running, leading along a varied and challenging course of 45 kilometers in length and 3,132 meters in altitude, all the way from the mass start outside the Landestheater in Innsbruck to the finishing line at the venue in Neustift im Stubai.
From the starting area, the route leads through Innsbruck’s old town, passing the Golden Roof before making a beeline for the steep or technically flowing trails of the Nordkette and past the renowned POIs Höttinger Bild and Rauschbrunnen.
The Inntal will be traversed in the Kranebitten neighborhood, and athletes will find the first major resupply camp at kilometer 10. The next leg passes through the charming villages of Völs and Birgitz before transitioning to more alpine terrain at the foot of the Nockspitze. After passing the Mutterer Alm at kilometer 22 and the Birgitzköpflhaus, the route reaches the stunning Kalkkögel mountains, which are not only known as the “Dolomites of North Tyrol” but are also at the heart of the WC trail contests. Demanding uphill passages lead the athletes to the “Schlick” area, where they will pass the final spectator viewpoints accessible by cable car, the Kreuzjoch, at 2,136 m above sea level (km 36). Threading its way through avalanche barriers, the route traverses the mountainside leading to the Starkenberger Hütte, from where a steep downhill passage leads to the finishing line.
A continuous live stream will keep visitors up to date so they know what’s going on irrespective of where along the route they find themselves.
Our tip:
A hop-on/hop-off shuttle will follow the route and stop wherever the route allows access for spectators. The ticket sale will go live before the WC start, however, tickets can also be purchased on-site during the event.
Special experience:
The areas around Mutterer Alm, Birgitzköpflhaus, Halsl and Kreuzjoch are definitely worth the strenuous hike necessary to reach the route and cheer on the athletes. The athletes’ gratitude and the experience of being in nature yet in the thick of the action is sure to stay with you for a long time.
Additional information:
The route links Innsbruck with the Stubaital on practically the shortest distance possible, while also passing stunning areas that offer natural splendor and a variety of experiences not to be missed.
TRAIL LONG
The WC’s longest route will be challenging athletes on the third race day. A regal 86.9 kilometers and 6,500 meters in altitude lead contestants (and visitors) around the splendid Kalkkögel mountains, also known as the “Dolomites of North Tyrol”.
After the mass start in Neustift, the route makes a beeline for the first highlight, the Naturschauplatz Hühnerspiel (km 8 at 2;181 m) from where on good days the views reach all the way to the majestic snow- and ice fields of the Stubaital glaciers.
The athletes conclude their round through the Stubai with a refueling stop at the starting venue
before heading on into high alpine terrain on a route that will lead them on a technically challenging yet stunning 32 kilometers along the Kalkkögel. Up- and downhill legs alternate constantly, and the athletes will pass spectator viewpoints at the Kreuzjoch (km 27) and the Hoadl (km 44).
Both the stunning scenery and the technical trails make the next leg, which leads past the Kemater Alm (km 46) and along the Salfeinssee lake, a favorite for locals and international runners alike. Once this part is concluded, the route leads back into the valley, passing the charming Tyrolean villages of Grinzens, Birgitz and Völs, with the traverse to the other side of the valley heralding the route’s final leg, which leads up to the Nordkette.
After a final pit stop in Kranebitten (km 68) the Nordkette waits to be conquered on a 1,000-meter climb. The Durrachsteig, a favorite among the trail community in Innsbruck, and challenging, threads its way through areas of dense mountain pine and scree fields to the Höttinger Alm (km 79), from where the final technical downhill leads to the finishing line at the venue in Innsbruck.
A continuous live stream will keep visitors up to date so they know what’s going on irrespective of where along the route they find themselves.
Our tip:
A hop-on/hop-off shuttle will follow the route and stop wherever the route allows access for spectators. The ticket sale will go live before the WC start, however, tickets can also be purchased on-site during the event.
Special (natural) experience:
Apart from all the other stunning areas along the route, the one around the Kreuzjoch – Hoadl – Kemater Alm – Salfeinssee affords you with unrivaled views. Make sure to explore the area and cheer on the athletes as they pass through while competing for the title of world champion.
MOUNTAIN CLASSIC
(Juniors & Seniors)
(Joniors & Seniors)
(Juniors & Seniors)
(Seniors only)
(Seniors only)
(Seniors only)
The 7 km round with 374 meters in altitude, inspired by the “Höll” (translated to hell), which gained notoriety during the UCI Road World Championships, will be a real highlight on the final day of the WC, showcasing Innsbruck’s alpine yet urban character. The first run will see the juniors (m/f), before the pros (m/f) have two rounds to determine the remaining World Champion titles.
From the starting area at the venue in Innsbruck, the route leads across the Inn on the Europaratsallee and to the trails on the Nordkette, making a steep beeline for Gramartboden. The extremely dynamic race won’t really grant time for any breathers as it leads along steep and narrow uphill trails to a short traverse in the forest above Gramartboden and along the spectator viewpoint before heading back down into the city along steep, root-covered downhill trails. After passing through the Hötting neighborhood along the renowned Höttinger Gasse, the bridges spanning the Inn lead the contestants back to the old town and - after an additional round - the finishing line at the venue.
Innsbruck’s old town is set to play a special role during the WC, as there will be an artificial trail set up outside the city’s landmark, the Golden Roof, which is expected to be the site of the crunch encounters. The old town will be turned into a proper trail arena with its artificial trail made up of natural materials, as well as LED-screens for the live stream and a variety of restaurants catering to the crowd.
A continuous live stream will keep visitors up to date so they know what’s going on irrespective of where along the route they find themselves.
Our tip:
It is worth the effort to find a place along the artificial trail and to watch the spectacle in the heart of Innsbruck. However, in case you decide to follow the races along the start/finishing line, Gramartboden, in the old town or along the trails, the extremely dynamic nature of the contest is sure to keep you on your toes.
GUIDE VOR ORT
Innsbruck Alpine
Trailrun Festival
You want to run where the World Champions will run? Why not? Austria’s biggest trail running festival is taking place prior to the World Championships, and many of the WC routes will be available to runners at the IATF. Don’t miss out! Be there!