On legendary trails – following in Ötzi’s footsteps
Trail running in the Schnalstal Valley, South Tyrol, means running in its purest form. More than 240 kilometres of marked hiking trails and running routes cross the valley, offering ideal conditions for beginners, advanced runners and ambitious trail runners.
The varied terrain ranges from challenging alpine mountain paths to gentler valley routes, making the Schnalstal one of the most attractive regions for trail running in the Alps. Far from traffic and crowds, runners experience peace, open spaces and unspoilt nature.
The routes lead from Reinhold Messner’s Juval Castle at around 900 metres above sea level, across alpine meadows and high mountain valleys, past crystal-clear mountain lakes, all the way to the legendary Ötzi discovery site near the glaciated high-altitude regions at over 3,200 metres.
Events & trail running camps
A sporting highlight is the Schnalstal Alpine Trail 19991, which attracts trail runners from all over Europe every year. Demanding distances, spectacular elevation gains and the unique alpine scenery make this event a true highlight in the trail running calendar.
For those who want to specifically improve technique, endurance and know-how, the Trailrunning Days in the Schnalstal Valley take place during the summer. Together with professional trail runner Dani Jung, participants enjoy guided runs, technical workshops and valuable training tips – ideal for both beginners and experienced runners.