Sunset at Kellerjoch

Technical difficulty: 5/10
Fitness: 3/10
Objective danger: 2/10 (some sketchy sections on the last downhill)
Landscape: 9/10
Busy: 4/10

The summit of Kellerjoch is one of the most picturesque and easily accessible summits close to the Inn Valley. The sunset also adds an extra dimension, making it even better.

Starting point: Wopfneralm
Ending point: Wopfneralm
Length: 12km
Vertical: 900m
Speed: Start and end on the forest road, a technical single track for most of the distance.

Route:

Today, I've got an awesome route for you, set near the stunning Inntal Valley. This one's got a mix of uphill climbs, sweeping views, and chill rest spots.

First off, you'll start and end this loop at Wopfneralm. You can drive up here, but heads-up, the last 2 kilometers are on a forest road. Oh, and you'll need to grab a parking ticket from a machine when you make the turn onto this road (3 Eur at the time of writing).

Once you're parked and laced up, hit the same forest road and keep running. You'll pass two cool places called Alpengasthof Loas and Gamssteinhaus. Shortly after the later one, you get to Loassattel.

At Loassattel, say goodbye to the road because it's time to go uphill! You'll start zig-zagging your way steeply up. But the effort pays off when you reach the summit of Kuhmesser (2246m). Pause for a moment, catch your breath, and take in the view.

Now, set your sights on the next point, Kellerjochhütte, which you can see from here. The trail takes you traversing along the ridge, and let me tell you, the view's even more stunning from up here! Once you get to Kellerjochhütte, take a well-deserved break. The landscape from here is just too good to rush through.

Just 10 more minutes of running takes you across a rocky ridge to the summit of Kellerjoch (2343m) itself . There's a small chapel there, and it's a great spot to just sit and be amazed at the nature around you.

To head back, retrace your steps to the hut, and then keep running down the ridge toward the west. You'll see a ski resort in the distance. After a few hundred meters, you'll start seeing trails leading down.

Pick any trail that you like to go back down (or just follow the GPS in this post). Soon enough, you'll be back on the forest road near Naunz Alm. Just follow this road, and you'll find yourself right back where you started, at your car.

Pro tip: Kellerjochhütte has one of the coolest views around. Highly recommend stopping there for a beat.

Photos by @the.running.nomad and @benni.bru