Austria · Tyrol
Distance
52 km
Date
Entry fee
€95
€ / km
€1.83
New date pending
This race has already occurred. A new date for next year’s edition is pending.
Karwendelmarsch is a 52km point-to-point mountain endurance race from Scharnitz to Pertisau am Achensee, through the Karwendel Nature Park in Tyrol, Austria. On its face it is a non-technical race -- gravel roads, forest tracks, and mountain hut trails rather than rocky scrambles or exposed ridgelines. But the numbers tell a different story: 2,281m D+ in 52km (43.9 m/km), a distance-weighted average uphill gradient of 15.8% (UPPER tier, 15%+), and a 20%+ gradient band of 4.3 km -- the single largest uphill band on the course. When the Karwendelmarsch climbs, it climbs hard. The race also contains 45.3% flat terrain, spread across the long valley sections of the Karwendel traverse, which means the extreme climbs arrive without warning after extended flat running. Climb #1, the dominant ascent, arrives at km 35 -- when legs are at their most depleted.
Karwendelmarsch has run since 1987, making it one of the oldest and most storied alpine endurance races in Austria. Its 2,500 participant cap -- set by Karwendel Nature Park environmental protection regulations -- and extraordinary popularity mean it routinely sells out within minutes. In 2026, all places were gone within 45 minutes of registration opening on January 13. A place exchange (Startplatzborse) operates for those who need to transfer entries. The race draws a broad field: elite German mountain runner Hannes Namberger has competed and described a competitive sprint to the finish; the mass-participation atmosphere is equally celebrated.
The 2026 race day is Saturday 29 August. Start time is 6:00am from Scharnitz. Entry fee is EUR 95, which includes mountain rescue insurance -- an unusual and valuable inclusion. Innsbruck Airport (INN) is 37 minutes away; a direct train from Innsbruck to Scharnitz provides rare public transport access to a mountain race start. IS FAR: NO. No mandatory gear list -- the organiser recommends water, bandages, rain protection, sunscreen, and a cap.
Total Meters
2,281m
D+/KM
43.9m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
15.8%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-15.5%
| 2–5% | 2.8 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 2.7 km | |
| 10–15% | 2.8 km | |
| 15–20% | 1.5 km | |
| 20%+ | 4.3 km |
| 26.9% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 45.3% | Flat |
| 27.8% | Downhill |
| 1 | 4.6 km · 670 m gain starts km 36 · avg 14.6% · max 70.0% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 4.8 km · 535 m gain starts km 25 · avg 11.2% · max 52.3% |
| 3 | 5.8 km · 492 m gain starts km 13 · avg 8.5% · max 63.3% |
| 1 | 12.2 km · 967 m drop starts km 40 · avg -7.9% · max -106.7% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3.0 km · 565 m drop starts km 32 · avg -18.8% · max -57.4% |
| 3 | 6.8 km · 463 m drop starts km 18 · avg -7.0% · max -37.6% |
The Karwendelmarsch is a 52km point-to-point mountain endurance race from Scharnitz to Pertisau am Achensee, through the Karwendel Nature Park in Tyrol, Austria. First run in 1987, it is one of the oldest and most iconic alpine endurance events in the German-speaking world. The course covers 2,281m elevation gain (43.9 m/km) on non-technical terrain: gravel roads, forest tracks, and mountain hut trails. Race day 2026 is Saturday 29 August; start at 6:00am from Scharnitz. Entry fee is EUR 95, including mountain rescue insurance. The race sells out in minutes. 2026 places were gone in approximately 45 minutes.
Three factors combine: exceptional reputation, strict cap, and passionate community. The race has run since 1987 and built a loyal following across Austria and Bavaria. The 2,500 participant cap is set by Karwendel Nature Park environmental protection regulations and cannot be expanded, scarcity is structural, not organisational. The combination of iconic route (Karwendel traverse, Grosser Ahornboden maple forest, Pertisau finish on the Achensee), EUR 95 entry including mountain rescue insurance, and a course that rewards serious preparation creates consistent demand. In 2026, all 2,500 places were gone within approximately 45 minutes of registration opening on January 13. A place exchange (Startplatzborse) operates at karwendelmarsch.info/startplatzboerse; a EUR 40 data change fee applies.
Harder than the non-technical surface suggests. The race covers 2,281m elevation gain in 52km (43.9 m/km). Despite featuring extensive flat valley sections, the race is defined by short, brutal bursts of climbing, with the steepest gradient band accounting for over four kilometers of the course. The dominant climb arrives at km 35, when legs are at their most depleted. Descent #1 delivers 967m of quad loading to close the race. The cutoff schedule: Karwendelhaus by 11:30, Eng by 14:00, Pertisau by 20:00. This requires the racer's sustained mountain pace.
Innsbruck Airport (INN) is approximately 37 minutes from Scharnitz by car, the closest international airport to any race start in this processing batch. More unusually, a direct train runs from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof to Scharnitz, making this one of the few alpine race starts accessible without a car. Munich Airport (MUC) is approximately 2.5-3.5 hours by road and is a practical option for international travelers flying into Bavaria. Note the point-to-point format: the race finishes in Pertisau am Achensee, approximately 1.5 hours from Scharnitz by road. Return transport from the finish must be arranged in advance; participant shuttles are typically coordinated informally. Accommodation is limited in Scharnitz; better options in Seefeld (15 min), Mittenwald (5 min across the German border), or Innsbruck (30-40 min).
August in Tyrol brings typical daytime highs of around 21°C and morning lows near 11°C, with the early 6:00 AM start ensuring runners tackle the first half of the race in cool conditions. August is also the region's rainiest month, meaning sudden weather shifts are common in the alpine terrain. Because conditions can change rapidly on the mountain, organizers strongly recommend bringing reliable rain protection.
Nearest airport
Innsbruck (INN) / Munich (MUC)
Notes
Start: ~1–1.75 hrs (INN) or ~2.5–3.5 hrs (MUC) to Scharnitz / Public transport: good (train to Scharnitz) / Accommodation: limited in Scharnitz; better in Seefeld/Mittenwald/Innsbruck
Ibiza Trail Maratón 48 km
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