Mountain running Austria: An overview of Sky Runs & Mountain Runs in Austria.
The dates for all Mountain Races in Austria, including registration, course, schedule, results and more details.
Mountain races in Austria have a long tradition. Mountain races have been held regularly in the Alpine republic for many decades. In the meantime, there are already more than 150 such events per year.
And it is not only in the west of the country that people run up mountains and mountain peaks, but also in the eastern regions of the country. Most mountain races are held from late spring (May) to late summer (September/October). But nowadays there are also some mountain runs in winter when there is a lot of snow.
What is a mountain run?
In contrast to trails (overview of all trail runs in Austria), mountain runs are shorter distances in which a lot of altitude has to be covered. A mountain run usually starts in the valley and ends at the summit or at a very high point of the mountain to be run. In a few mountain runs, the runner also returns downhill. In trail runs, on the other hand, athletes often move along mountains or even over several mountains. This often results in a very long distance that goes beyond the marathon distance.
Mountain training and footwear
Mountain running training is of course different from running training for road races. For example, instead of intervals on the flat, intervals are often completed off-road. In addition, the focus is not necessarily on logging kilometers, but on logging as many altitude meters as possible. The footwear is also different. On mountains, people often run with trail shoes. However, the intended use also depends on the route. If a large part of the route is nevertheless asphalted or easy to run, normal road running shoes can also be used. Researching the route before participating is therefore recommended.
What mountain runs are there in Austria?
In Austria, mountain runs are now held in all of Austria's provinces. Of course, the majority of them take place in the western provinces such as Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg, Carinthia, Styria and Upper Austria. But also in Lower Austria and in the vicinity of Vienna, the offer of mountain runs is now large. This means that even a "flatlander" does not have to travel far for a mountain run.
In winter, for example, there is a Snow Run in Schladming-Planai or the Vertical Up Tour, which has been established for several years and takes place not only in Austria, but also in Germany, Switzerland and Italy. In Austria, the organizers have set up two really attractive runs on the Streif (Kitzbühel) and Hinterstoder. In 2021, however, the race was only held on the Streif.
Man versus machine
At the beginning of spring - i.e. from the end of March - the mountain runs start slowly but nevertheless away from the snow masses. From the end of May to the end of September, the mountain running calendar is in high season. A popular start to the mountain running season for many runners is the Schafberglauf. This mountain race not only takes runners to the summit of the Schafberg, but also pits them against the Schafbergbahn in a race. Every year the participants duel against the steam locomotive. Often the best runners make it to the top faster than the traditional steam locomotive. Almost 1,200 meters of altitude have to be covered on the 5.1 km course.
Another classic in the mountain running calendar is the Mountainrun Seefeld, which involves running around 1,000 meters of altitude over 6 km. Every year quite a few top runners from abroad take part in this mountain run with the most beautiful panorama in Tyrol. The finish line is at an altitude of 2,200 meters at the Seefelder Spitze.
Myth Großglockner
Every mountain fan knows the Großglockner mountain run. The mountain run near the highest mountain in Austria leads to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, which is located at 2,370 meters above sea level. On the 12.67 km long course, 1,494 meters of altitude await. The run is quickly booked up every year and is limited to 1,200 participants. Further west, on the other hand, the Kaisermarathon has made a name for itself. This takes place as part of the Tour de Tirol. Around 500 runners take part in the marathon race, which involves over 2,300 meters of elevation gain. Much further east, on the other hand, the Erzberglauf is one of the most popular mountain runs in Austria. The Styrian running event attracts around 1,500 participants to Eisenerz every year. The 12.5 km mountain run involves climbing almost 800 meters in altitude.
The 400 hardest meters of your life
One of the oldest mountain runs in Austria is the GIS run in Upper Austria. The Gis is Linz's local mountain. Despite its proximity to the big city, the course is anything but easy, with over 600 meters of difference in altitude. In the very east of the country, the Raxlauf and the Annaberg Berglauf are among the best-known mountain runs. Both events are held only about an hour's drive from Vienna. Ideal, therefore, for beginners who have not yet had much experience.
A completely different form of mountain running, on the other hand, is the "Red Bull 400" in Bischofshofen. The course length is only 400 meters, but they are guaranteed to be the toughest of your life. Because it is run on the ski jump in Bischofshofen. No less than 180 meters of altitude await you on these 400 meters, which results in a gradient of almost 50%.
Mountain Runs 2026 in Austria: Top-Events
Innsbruck Alpine Trailrun Festival
 | 01.05.2026 ✔ |
| |
 | Innsbruck |
 | 110 km / 85 km / 65 km / 42 km / 35 km / 25 km / 15 km / 7 km |
Drei-Gipfel-Lauf Wald am Schoberpass
| 15.08.2026 ? |
| |
| Wald am Schoberpaß |
| 27 km (1.500 Hm) / 8 km (1.050 Hm) |
Stuiben Trailrun
| 16.05.2026 ✔ |
| |
| Umhausen |
| 44,1 km (3.100 Hm) | 26,1km (1.700 Hm) | 12,5 km (700 Hm) | 4 km (450 Hm) |
Schneeberglauf mit Schneeberg Trail
| 30.05.2026 ✔ |
| |
| Puchberg am Schneeberg |
| 32 km (2.100 Hm)/ 20 km (2.000 Hm) / 10 km (1.200 Hm) |
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