Trail running

Beginner suggestion (easy) 

Length: approx. 8 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 138 m

This beautiful trail heads past the Moorweiher lake towards the Trettachtal valley. 

Route description:
Nebelhornbahn cable car valley station - Mühlenbrücke bridge - Trail to the Jägerstand café - Dr.- Hohenadl-Weg trail - Oytal valley road - (optional loop around the ski jumping arena) - Oberstdorf

Tip: it’s not essential to carry drinks on this short route. If you need some refreshment, the Jägerstand café is a great place for a break.

Beginner suggestion (easy) 

Length: approx. 6.8 km
Elevation gain: approx. 78 m

This beautiful trail heads past the Moorweiher lake towards the Trettachtal valley.

Route description:
Mühlenbrücke bridge - Moorweiher lake - Oberstdorf golf course - Grubenweg - Oberstdorf

Tip: this route is also ideal for running groups as it sticks to wide trails and paths.

Beginner suggestion (easy) 

Length: approx. 8.9 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 133 m

Setting off from by the Dummelsmoosbrücke bridge, follow the wide gravel track along the Trettach and Iller rivers to the Oberstdorf district of Rubi. The technically simple but sharply ascending Bergöschweg trail begins just after the chapel. After a short but sharp downhill section and a number of meadow paths, you will reach Reichenbach. From here, a broad, gently undulating trail leads back towards Oberstdorf and your starting point on Am Dummelsmoos.

Route description:
Dummelsmoosbrücke bridge – Trettachdamm trail – source of the Iller – Rubi/Bergöschweg trail – Reichenbach – Rubi – Oberstdorf

Tip: the route can be optionally extended to the Schöllang mountain church.

Beginner suggestion (easy) 

Length: approx. 9.5 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 123 m

Along the Iller to the neighbouring municipality of Fischen. The route starts and ends at the car park on Karweidach.

Route description:
Karweidach car park – source of the Iller – Rubisteg (bridge) – Fischen Au – Auwaldsee lake – detour to the Schöllang mountain church – Bergöschweg trail – Rubi – Rubisteg (bridge) – Waldweg trail – Karweidach car park

Tip: if you like, you can run a few extra laps of the Auwaldsee lake. Each lap is about 1,500 metres.

Beginner suggestion (easy) 

Length: approx. 10.7 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 282 m

Route description:

Renksteg – Freibergsee lake – Edmund-Probst-Weg trail – Waldesruhe – Stillachdamm trail – Renksteg

Starting from the Renksteg, climb to the Freibergsee lake and run 3/4 of the way round this in an anticlockwise direction. Continue slightly uphill along the well-developed Edmund-Probst-Weg trail to the Bergkristall restaurant from where you head back down into the valley. Finally, follow the Stillachdamm trail all the way back to where you started at the Renksteg.

Tip: the Freibergsee lake is the highest bathing lake in Germany – and a great place to cool off on hot summer days!

Suggestion for intermediate runners (medium) 

Length: approx. 12 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 382 m

A panoramic route above Oberstdorf with views of the Illertal valley.

Route description:
Ice sports centre - Faltenbachbrücke bridge - Ski jumping arena - Breitenberg - Wallrafweg - Gaisalpe - Gaisalptobel ravine - Reichenbach - Riedweg - Rubi - Kalkofenweg - Dummelsmoos - Ice sports centre

Tip: if the final downhill section through the Gaisalptobel ravine is too demanding, you can also follow the road for a gentler descent.

Suggestion for intermediate runners (medium) 

Length: approx. 6.7 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 560 m

Route to Tiefenbach’s local mountain for intermediate-level runners.

Route description: Tiefenbach (Tourist Information Office) - Lochwiesen - Geißberg - Hintere Falkenberg Alpe (shelter) - Vordere Falkenberg Alpe (shelter) – Lochwiesen - Tiefenbach (Tourist Information Office)

Tip: you can also follow this circular route in the opposite direction. Take care to pace yourself on the steep climb and don’t forget your your smartphone or camera for that summit selfie.

Suggestion for intermediate runners (medium) 

Length: approx. 15 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 402 m (ascent and descent)

Route description:

Oberstdorf Mühlenbrücke bridge – Moorweiher – golf course – Christlessee lake – Gottenried – towards Spielmannsau – Rautweg trail – Gerstruben – Hölltobel ravine – Oberstdorf

A challenging circular trail route that runs past the Moorweiher to the Christlessee lake, towards Spielmannsau and then along the Rautweg trail to Gerstruben (1,143 m) in the Dietersbachtal valley. From there, it takes a short but sharp downhill through the Hölltobel ravine back into the Trettachtal valley and on back towards Oberstdorf.

Important!
This route includes 400 altitude metres of both climb and descent and the trails are extremely challenging.

Suggestion for intermediate runners (medium) 

Length: approx. 11 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 446 m (ascent and descent)

Route description:
South edge of Oberstdorf – Öschwiesenweg trail – Renksteg – Freibergsee lake – Schwand – Hochleite – Freibergsee lake – Ziegelbachhütte – Stillachdamm trail – Oberstdorf

This trail starts with a leisurely stretch along the meadow path to the south of Oberstdorf. From the Renksteg, it then heads steeply uphill to the scenically located Freibergsee lake and on to the hamlet of Schwand. From there, it zigzags its way up to the highest point on the route, the Hochleite. Finally, the sharp downhill section leads you into the Stillachtal valley and across forest and meadow trails back to Oberstdorf.

Suggestion for intermediate runners (medium) 

Length: approx. 7.7 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 281 m

Route description:

Karweidach - Illerursprung - Langenwang - Jägersberg - Judenkirche - Wasach - Weidach (bus stop)

This route takes runners along a wide variety of terrain, from a wide, gravel path to a narrow single trail. Passing the source of the Iller, the route leads to the village of Langenwang (Fischen). From here, you enter the undulating terrain of the Jägersberg and the Ochsenkopf, constantly accompanied by the spectacular views of Oberstdorf and the mountain scenery. Passing the Judenkirche and the hamlet of Wasach, you eventually head down to your destination, the bus stop in Weidach.

Tip: stop for a break at the Judenkirche viewpoint and gaze through the impressive rock gate for a magnificent view of Oberstdorf and its mountains.

Suggestion for advanced runners (challenging)

Length: approx. 21 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 600 m

Route description: Nebelhornbahn cable car valley station - World Cup Ski Jump Arena - Wallrafweg trail - Gaisalpe restaurant - Falkensattel saddle - Falkenalpe shelter - Schnippenkopf - Heidelbeerkopf - Sonnenkopf - Schöllang - Reichenbach - Rubi - Nebelhornbahn valley station

Tip: always check the weather forecast if planning to run this route. You’ll find the latest information in the daily mountain sport report from Tourismus Oberstdorf.

Suggestion for advanced runners (challenging)

Length: approx. 16 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 900 m

A summit experience with far-reaching views and the crossing of a ridge.

Route description:
Mühlenbrücke bridge - Trettachtal valley - Dr.-Hohenadl-Weg trail - Oytalhaus - untere Lugenalpe - obere Lugenalpe - Hahnenkopf - Gerstruben - Hölltobel ravine - Trettachtal valley - Mühlenbrücke bridge

Tip: it’s well worth taking a compact camera or your smartphone with you to capture lasting memories of the impressive Oberstdorf mountain world.

Suggestion for advanced runners (challenging)

Length: approx. 17 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 883 m

Route description:
Tiefenbach (Tourist Information Office) – Lochwiesen – Vordere Falken Alpe – Hintere Falken Alpe – Schwaben Alpe – Besler – Mittlere Gund Alpe – Schwaben Alpe – Lochbachtal valley – Lochwiesen – Tiefenbach (Tourist Information Office)

A route that is largely characterised by its length and the number of altitude metres it covers – and that should not be underestimated. This is also a relatively technical route for runners. It involves demanding stretches on challenging trails and tough climbs that are sure to get your heart rate up. At the end of the route, the tarmacked Alpine road down into the valley is ideal for picking up the pace and stretching out the legs. The route begins at the Tourist Information Office in the Oberstdorf district of Tiefenbach.

Suggestion for advanced runners (challenging)

Length: approx. 15 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 1257 m

This route is one of the classics in the Oberstdorf mountain world but demands a great deal of trail runners in terms of both technique and endurance. The trail crosses the Faltenbachtobel ravine, the Seealpe and the Roßbichl, heading uphill all the way. From the Niedereck, the partially exposed ridge trail to the Rubihorn summit begins. Permanent safety features are provided in certain areas. Make sure you hold on tightly! The initially steep downhill in part takes the form of a demanding single trail and winds its way past the Gaisalpsee lake and the Untere Richteralpe to the wide, gravel Wallrafweg trail, which takes you back to Oberstdorf.

Route description:
Ice sports centre – Faltenbachbrücke bridge – Seealpe (Nebelhornbahn middle station) – Roßbichl – Niedereck – Rubihorn – Unterer Gaisalpsee lake – Gaisalpe – Wallrafweg trail – Oberstdorf

Please note
Always check the current weather forecast before starting this route. Old and new snow fields are common in the higher sections at certain times of year.

Suggestion for advanced runners (challenging)

Length: approx. 21.8 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 1,635 m

Route description:
Mühlenbrücke bridge – Trettachtal valley – Dr.-Hohenadl-Weg trail – Oytal valley – Käseralpe – Wildenfeld – Himmeleck – Laufbacher Eck – Zeigersattel – Nebelhornbahn Höfatsblick mountain station

This route requires excellent technique and fitness and is only suitable for highly experienced trail runners who are well-versed in the use of trail running equipment. Offering fantastic panoramic views, the trail runs into the Oytal valley, past the Käseralpe and up into high Alpine terrain. Continue past the Wildenfeld to the Himmeleck and on to the Laufbacher-Eck. The continually undulating route then passes the Seealpsee lake and over the Zeigersattel to the Nebelhornbahn’s Höfatsblick mountain station.

Tip: with stunning views and spectacular flora, the ridgeway along the 2,000-metre border is among the most beautiful the Allgäu Alps have to offer.

Useful info: in the sections after the Laufbacher-Eck in particular, you will regularly find iron steps and passages protected by cables. Make sure you slow your pace and focus on where you are going here.

Suggestion for advanced runners (challenging)

Length: approx. 8.6 km
Elevation gain/loss: approx. 1,089 m

The route leads from the Söllereckbahn valley station to the mountain station, passing the Sölleralpe. It then continues along the Fellhorngrat ridge, heading south along the German-Austrian border to the summit of the Fellhorn. The altitude difference is mainly ascending, always demanding and extremely varied. The ridge trail to the Fellhorn summit offers pure bliss for seasoned mountain runners, rewarding them with perfect mountain views. The descent occurs in the comfort of the Fellhornbahn cable car.

Route description:
Söllereckbahn valley station – Söllereck mountain station – Sölleralpe – Fellhorngrat ridge – Fellhorn summit

Tip: anyone who wants a more relaxed start to this route can complete the first climb in the comfort of the Söllereckbahn cable car, saving their energy for the demanding single trail towards the Fellhorn.