Nordkette Vertical Run – Can you Handle the 1600 Meters of Altitude?

The most difficult form of running is in high and steep alpine terrain – If you enjoy to suffer: Nordkette Vertical Skyrun has you covered. 1600 meters of altitude straight up a steep mountain. Get all info for this sufferfest in this blog.

This is the Innsbruck vertical run – also called cable car climb. Are you up for the challenge? Find out everything you need to know about this hiking route below.

The supreme discipline of many Innsbruck mountain enthusiasts is to run the 1000 meters altitude distance from Hungerburg to Seegrube in under an hour. If that’s not sweaty enough for you, you can extend your vertical mountain run to the Hafelekarspitze – and now that you’re already at the top, it’s best to take the scenic Genuss-Höhenweg up to the Pfeishütte.

With the alternative “descent” over and in the middle of the scree of the Arzler Schotterreißn one has experienced the alpine mountain run north chain classic. Somewhat easier, more gentle on the joints and still more than sporty enough is the direct way back and descent with the cable car. So there is also some time to enjoy the deep view to Innsbruck and the views of the Stubai Alps.

The best times for the Hungerburg-Seegrube part are around 30 minutes. Some people can just about manage their leisurely break beer in this time.

Directions! Get to know all the major stops on Nordkette adventure

From Hungerburg (868m) the trail runs almost directly under the cable car. It is impossible to get lost. Please do not take the bike trail. From the Seegrube station (1966m) the trail leads briefly over the scree cirque slightly to the right and finally in the Direttissima gully to the mountain station at Hafelekar (2269m).

From here, keep to the right and turn into the clearly visible and well-developed high-altitude trail “Goetheweg”. Via Gleirschjöchl (2243m) and Mandlscharte the trail leads to Pfeishütte (1922m). The way back is the same as the way there. In order to spare the joints, a descent with the mountain railroad is recommended.

Braking is done in the deep, sliding gravel with foresight by shifting weight, changes in direction are made by jumping and running faster downhill. Here is how your hike loks like on a map:

This 34-kilometer journey is graded as medium on a difficulty scale. Refreshment stops are restaurant Seegrube, Hafelekarstube, Pfeishütte and Hungerburg

Photo tips that will make your Instagram pop – Goethe Trail vantage point

The steep cable car platform is very good to photograph from the gondola. In addition, the Goethesteig is the photo parade trail high above Innsbruck and offers outstanding low views.

Mountain Moments Photo Workshops provide Photo Tours for everybody, Alpine Experience for beginners and intermediate-level photographers with 3 to 6-hour routes, as well as Summit Experience for more advanced photographers and hikers. We have private workshops and group classes.

More information about this steep and long Innsbruck trail run

Arrival: 

Public transport: by Hungerburgbahn or Bus J to the Hungerburg/Talstation Nordkettenbahn station. Valley route by cable car under certain circumstances. 

Difficulty: medium-difficult

Duration: 6h, 34km   

Ascent/Descent: 2650hm/2650hm   

Highest/lowest point: 2275m/860m  

Food and drinks: Restaurant Seegrube, Hafelekarstube, Pfeishütte, Hungerburg

Start/Finish: Hungerburg Station/Valley Station Nordkettenbahn (coordinates: geogr. 47.285794,11.398938)  

Best time: June-Oct

Tips: In high summer on hot, sunny days better start very early in the morning.

Special dangers: Increased risk of injury when gravelreißn surfing.

The best Summer Adventures in and around Innsbruck – Hiking, Mountainbiking, Trekking, Climbing and more

Fancy more Summer Adventures in Tyrol and around Innsbruck? We got you covered! The best outdoor sports activities for Summer Enthusiasts as eBook: Innsbruck Summer Outdoor Guide.

Here we have compiled the most beautiful locations and photo opportunities. 30 activities with numerous photo spots are selected and described in such a way that you can easily experience these wonderful adventures around Innsbruck for yourself – including track infos, and maps and all other information that you need.

You can take a closer look at the Innsbruck travel guide ebook here – why not share it with your adventure partner?