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Tough 100-mile loop through a nature preserve in the scenic Bavarian Alps with 24,500 ft of climbs.


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Map Key

102.1

Miles

164.3

KM

80%

Runnable

5,393' 1,644 m

High

1,958' 597 m

Low

25,293' 7,709 m

Up

25,294' 7,709 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

61%

Max Grade (31°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

November through April access is not advised due to snow cover.

Overview

A loop course in bowtie form which offers spectacular views from the summits and passes alpine farm pastures, lakes, and creeks. Halfway into the run, you'll pass the starting point to pick up further supplies. There are several points where the run can be shortened to any distance between 20 and 100 miles. The full 100-mile route features 24,500 meters of climbing. This is the route of the Chiemgauer 100 mile race which is always held on the last weekend in July.

Need to Know

There may be some soggy parts and some sections where stepping off the trail may result in deadly falls.

Runner Notes

There are several natural springs with drinking water along the trail; Also there are some huts catering simple foods and drinks.

Description

From Ruhpolding, you start out on gentle trails along a creek to the east side of the Teisenberg mountain. You cross it on a faint trail to the village from Eisenrzt. Further trails bring you to the village of Hammer from where you start climbing the Teisenberg partly on a very faint trail.

Below the summit there is a hut with food and drink for sale (around 20 miles). You descend on a fire road only halfway and after some more ups and downs, you enter a nicely rolling trail to the Steiner Alm (food, drink) and through a wet pasture to Adlgass (35 miles, food, drink, and car accessible).

Now there is a really steep uphill to Kohler Alm, but you'll be rewarded with spectacular views from the top and a technically difficult downhill on the other side. Beautiful trails will brig you past the HllenbachAlm (food, drink) to a steep staircase to the Weissbach gorge which you'll follow up to near the creek's source.

Then you climb again across a very steep wooded mountain flank (some steel rope installed for safety) past a farm until you reach a technical downhill to the Traun River. You then pass a beautiful little lake and return to the starting point (50 miles).

Next is a steep climb to the Unternberg mountain saddle followed by rolling terrain to the Brander Alm (food, drink). A steep, and often hot, climb brings you to the magic Hrndlwand meadow, which is arguably the most beautiful part of the course. A brutal downhill brings you to mellower terrain and past the Langerbauer Alm and Jochberg Alm (food, drink) to your next summit.

Heading north, you follow the Weissachen Creek to the Kohlstatt parking lot (70 miles). From here you climb steeply a black diamond ski slope and cross to the halfway station of the Hochfelln mountain cable car. Some ups and downs bring you to Maria Eck (food, drink, cars, and a scenic church building).

For a short while, you then follow a paved bike trail before crossing the road and eventually reaching a beautiful shady little trail (one of my favorites!) which brings you nearly all the way back to the start. Either you can cut it short here or you have the option to climb the Hochfelln mountain, to reach the high point of the race on a little-known trail (90 miles). Now you really deserve the beer which you may buy in the restaurnt which is just next to the summit!

After this, you'll descend first south, then west, into the Eschelmoos (water). You're done with the technical difficulties, but there is still some ways to go!

Here the trail is first level, then up, and then finally a steep downhill on a fire road to bring you to the valley ground where you keep on the left side of the creek until you reach the town of Rhupolding. Here you cross a foot bridge and continue east until you reach the Traun River. Go upstream for a mile, until you reach the finish. Congratulations!

Flora & Fauna

Best in late springtime for wildflowers and in the fall for colors and views. Grouse, salamander, chamois, and other animals may be seen. Nice blackberry patches along the trail in late Summer

History & Background

Some remnants of the salt and ore mining activities can be seen.

Shared By:

Giselher Schneider

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 2 votes

#1

in Bavaria

#1498

Overall
  5.0 from 2 votes
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#1

in Bavaria

#2

in Germany

#1,498

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Photos

Ruhpolding (85 miles).
Oct 28, 2015 near Ruhpolding, DE
Hörndlwand meadow (60 miles).
Oct 28, 2015 near Reit im…, DE
On Zinnkopf
Oct 28, 2015 near Ruhpolding, DE
Just before reaching Hörndlwand meadow.
Oct 28, 2015 near Reit im…, DE
Near Eschelmoos (70 miles).
Oct 28, 2015 near Marquar…, DE
Restaurant at Höllenbachalm.
Jul 5, 2020 near Schneiz…, DE

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