Technical difficulty: 8/10
Fitness: 6/10
Objective danger: 7/10 (very technical and often exposed)
Landscape: 9/10
Busy: 3/10

An amazing round the Kalkkögel mountains starting from Axamer Lizum and traversing the summits of Ampferstein and Marcheisenspitze for some technical mountain fun.

Starting point: Axamer Lizum ski resort
Ending point: Axamer Lizum ski resort
Length: 10km
Vertical: 1200m
Speed: Very technical, kind of slow going.

Route:

Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Kalkkögel mountains near Innsbruck on this technical mountain running adventure. Embarking and returning at the accessible parking lot of the Axamer Lizum ski resort, this route is designed for those looking to challenge their mountain running skills amid stunning alpine scenery.

Your run begins with a mild incline as you head up the ski slope from the parking lot at Axamer Lizum. The familiar path soon gives way to a more rugged uphill trail as you veer off towards the Halsl saddle. The terrain here begins to demand more of your attention.

Once at the Halsl saddle, a right turn puts you on a path along the ridge, advancing towards the summit of Ampferstein (2556m). As you progress, the route unveils its technical side with exposed and scrambling sections. The fixed chains along certain stretches ensure safe passage through these more challenging portions.

The summit of Ampferstein welcomes you with a flat area perfect for a brief break. Take a moment to soak in the panoramic views before gearing up for the next segment of your adventure.

As you resume your run, a traversing trail along the south side of the range soon invites you onto the “Lustige Bergler steig” or the “Trail of Funny Mountaineers” towards the summit of Marcheisenspitze (2620m). Known for its enjoyable scrambling and exposure, this trail segment adds a bit of thrill to your adventure.

Post-summit, a careful descent along the south-west ridge brings you back to the traversing trail. Your journey continues towards the saddle of Mahlgrubenscharte, where a turn north through a scree field begins your descent towards the bowl of Lizumer Kar.

As you navigate down to Lizumer Kar, the trail becomes more runnable, leading you through less technical terrain. This portion is more runnable, gradually descending until you reconnect with the ski slope, guiding you back to the starting point at the parking lot.

Pro tip: no water along the way. bring what you need with you!

Photos by @the.running.nomad, @bennibru and @annaklam