Kalkkögeltrail

Kalkkögeltrail is held in Telfes im Stubai, a Tyrolean village at the mouth of the Stubai Valley, south of Innsbruck. It is organised by the mountain running section of Sportverein Telfes and takes its name from the Kalkkögel, a range of jagged limestone towers in the Stubai Alps that peaks at the Schlicker Seespitze (2,804 m) and is nicknamed the "Dolomites of North Tyrol". Launched in 2024, it extends the former Schlickeralmlauf, a mountain race that used to finish on the Kreuzjoch. The event takes place on the last Saturday of September, and its marathon has already hosted the Austrian trail marathon championship.

The K42 (about 42.5 km, 3,030 m of climbing) starts at 7.30 am from the centre of Telfes, at 995 m. After a lap of the village it follows the historic Schlickeralmlauf route past the Panoramasee and Schlickerboden to the Schlickeralm and the Kreuzjoch (2,095 m), then carries on via the Sennjochhütte and Starkenburger Hütte to the Schlicker Schartl, the high point at 2,450 m. A long descent leads back to Schlickerboden, before the Gloatsteig, Issa, the Halsl and the Saile (2,404 m), a summit with views as far as the Wilder Kaiser. Next come a steep descent via the Sailenieder, a direct climb to the Nederjoch, the Jochkreuz, the Pfarrachalm and a technical finale on the Hirtensteig and Lüderitzsteig paths.

The K30 (30 km, about 2,050 m of climbing) starts at 9.30 am and keeps the heart of that second half: Gloatsteig, Saile, Nederjoch, Jochkreuz and Hirtensteig, before an easier run home across the Telfes meadows. The K18 (17.5 km, 950 m of climbing), which starts at the same time, climbs to the Panoramasee, follows the Gloatsteig beneath the Kalkkögel walls to the Bergler Bründl, its highest point, and then reaches the Pfarrachalm before the demanding descent of the Hirtensteig and Lüderitzsteig. The K10 (9.5 km, 285 m of climbing), starting at 7.30 am alongside the marathon, is a loop through woods and meadows that is also open to young runners and designed as an introduction to trail running.

The marathon is aimed at trail runners used to high mountains: it has as much descent as ascent, on sometimes very technical paths, with staggered cut-offs and a finish that closes eleven hours after the start. The K30 and K18 suit runners comfortable on alpine terrain, the K10 beginners. Aid stations are at Schlickerboden, the Starkenburger Hütte, Issa and the Pfarrachalm, while the K10 only has refreshments at the finish. The rules require a running pack, a waterproof jacket, a warm layer covering arms and legs, gloves, a hat, a cup, at least 1.5 litres of water, a first-aid kit with survival blanket and whistle, a GPS track or map and a phone, with checks before the start and on the course.

Telfes turns the day into a village festival: children's races in the afternoon, a charity run on a 1.2 km loop through the village later on, the prize-giving in the marquee, then a raffle and music. Race numbers are collected at the marquee on the afternoon before or on race morning, on handing in a signed waiver, and a compulsory briefing is held fifteen minutes before each start. Free parking is available next to the village leisure centre and swimming pool.