Stubai Ultratrail 2024 with new route on the sunny side of the valley

For the seventh time, the Stubai Ultratrail (SUT) on 29 June 2024 will take place from the Tyrolean capital Innsbruck up to 2,960 metres on the Stubai Glacier, true to the motto "city2glacier". Once again, 67 kilometres in an impressive natural landscape with 5,110 metres of ascent and 2,820 metres of descent have to be mastered. As an alternative to this ultimate running challenge in the heart of the Alps, there are four other distances to choose from. One of them, the STUBAI K15 ‘Sunnenseit'n Trail’, will be offered for the first time on 28 June. An attractive route that runs on the sunny side of the Stubai Valley and can also be incredibly exciting for trail newcomers.

The Stubai Valley offers almost endless possibilities for visitors who are enthusiastic about running. The route network that you will find here stretches from the city to the countryside up into the mountains to the glacier regions of the Stubai Alps. In addition, a number of highlights of the region, such as natural sites and the Wild Water Trail, can be combined by running. Whether for beginners, ambitious runners or professionals, everyone will find the right route in the Stubai. This is also reflected in the running events, such as the Stubai Ultratrail.

New 15-kilometre trail on the sunny side of the Stubai Valley

Already at the start on Friday, 28 June, the new distance of the ‘Sunnenseit'n Trail’ can be tackled at the Stubai Ultratrail weekend. In a crisp 15 kilometres with 700 metres of elevation gain, this circuit leads around Neustift in the Stubai Valley.

It starts in the centre of the village, then continues along easy trails to the district of Milders. There you cross the valley floor and switch to the sunny side – or the eponymous "Sunnenseite" – of the Stubai Valley. A short, steep trail continues up to 1,300 metres above sea level. After a short downhill, over the idyllically situated Kartnallhöfe, it goes about 200 metres uphill to the highlight of the K15: the new, 110-metre-long suspension bridge in the valley, from where there are spectacular views of the Stubai mountains. After ten kilometres, at Pfurtschell, the descent begins to the district of Neder and from there it goes back to Neustift.

Route to the start of trail running with relay scoring

The STUBAI K15 ‘Sunnenseit'n Trail’ is also a wonderful opportunity for trail beginners to gain their first competition experience. In addition, relays will also be evaluated – men's, women's and mixed relays. A relay team can be of any size, it must have at least three participants. If a relay team enters more than three people, then the time of the three fastest in the team will be added together at the end. For the mixed relay, at least one woman must appear in the ranking.

Continuation of the partnership with SCOTT

In 2024, the SUT will again be at the start with main sponsor SCOTT . The brand has been active in the trail running sector for many years and will be present in the Stubai Valley for the second time in a row. Both as an outfitter and in the Expo Area in Neustift as an exhibitor. "We are happy to be part of the SUT again! Since we have the right products for the Ultratrail in our portfolio from head to toe, the event is a perfect fit for us as a brand. Our athletes and anyone who runs with SCOTT products can directly provide us with valuable feedback, which we can in turn incorporate into our product development. In addition to test shoes, we will again prepare a small surprise for all registered runners in 2024," says Julian Oswald from SCOTT, describing the cooperation with the Stubai Valley.

Trail running is being developed further in the Stubai Valley

The development of the running offer in the valley is being driven forward. Above all, the staging of the combined Mountain and Trail Running World Championships in Innsbruck and Stubai in June 2023 has given the region a strong impetus. "Running and trail running are constantly being developed and integrated into our summer offerings. On the one hand, with the running routes, which are signposted throughout and lead over our hiking highlights, such as the new suspension bridge. On the other hand, with running events, such as the Stubai Ultratrail or the new ‘Kalkkögeltrail’ Stubai, which replaces the Schlickeralmlauf in Telfes in autumn," explains the chairman of the Stubai Tourism Association, Adrian Siller.

Five distances

The five routes of the SUT have something for endurance athletes as well as ambitious trail runners and trail newcomers. The classic, the Stubai Ultratrail K67, starts at 1 a.m. in the Olympic city of Innsbruck. Then it goes over 67 kilometres through the night to the finish at the 2,960-metre-high Eisgrat mountain station on the Stubai Glacier. Three shorter races, also with a finish on the glacier, as well as the new STUBAI K15 Sunnenseit'n Trail round off the program.

The routes at a glance:

STUBAI ULTRATRAIL "city2glacier": 68 kilometres, 5,110 metres of ascent, 2,820 metres descent, start at 1 a.m. in Innsbruck Landestheater. Destination: Eisgrat mountain station (2,960m)

STUBAI K31: 31 kilometres, 2,630 metres of ascent, 720 metres descent, start at 9 a.m. in Neustift. Destination: Eisgrat mountain station (2,960m)

STUBAI K18: 18 kilometers, 1,796 meters of altitude difference in ascent, 75 in descent, start at 10 a.m. in Klaus Äuele near Falbeson. Destination: Eisgrat mountain station (2,960m)

STUBAI K8: 7.5 kilometres, 1,210 metres of ascent, 75 metres descent, start at 12 noon at the valley station of the Stubai Glacier lifts near Mutterberg. Destination: Eisgrat mountain station (2,960m)

STUBAI K15 Sunnenseit'n Trail: 15 kilometres, 700 metres of ascent and descent (circuit), start on Friday, 28.06.2024 at 4.00 p.m. in the village centre of Neustift.