Technical difficulty: 4/10
Fitness: 4/10
Objective danger: 3/10
Landscape: 4/10
Busy: 2/10

A nice loop close to Innsbruck from Zirl to Kranebitten and back over the top of Martinswand. Good for evening after-work round or early in the spring.

Starting point: Parkplatz for Martinswand Climbing Area
Ending point: Parkplatz for Martinswand Climbing Area
Length: 17.5km
Vertical: 1050m
Speed: half really flat and fast, half steep trails in the forest

Route:

Today, I want to share a convenient and accessible running route perfect for an after-work exercise or a good start to your running season on an early spring day. It's a low exposure loop located near the city that begins and ends at the parking lot of the Martinswand climbing area close to Zirl.

The run starts off simple enough; we begin by crossing over a bridge that connects us to a bike path running alongside the scenic river Inn. The route then takes us eastwards, in the direction of Innsbruck. This first segment is almost perfectly flat and on a paved bike trail.

Our run then leads us to the road bridge to Kranebitten. Crossing over this bridge, we navigate our way through the village of Kranebitten. This village run takes us to an old railroad service road. Positioned slightly uphill from and parallel to the railroad, the service road leads us west, back towards Zirl.

Just before the end of this forest road, you'll find a small trail that veers steeply uphill to the right. This is where the climb begins. The trail goes through a steep forest until we reach a viewpoint at Finstertalegg (1468m).

Here, the trail's incline mellows out, offering a stretch of nice, flowy running for the next few kilometers. This relaxing run will take you up to the summit of the Kleiner Wandkopf (1346m).

The last segment of the route is a steep technical descent on a single trail situated above the Zirl quarry. This trail eventually connects to a bigger one descending from the Kaiser-Max-Grotte via ferrata. Simply follow this trail, it will guide you right back to the river and ultimately to the parking lot, concluding your journey.

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