The long-distance hikers (Ultra and Challenge distance) set off together in the early morning. Meeting point and start area are at Stift Spital am Pyhrn. The early hour gives you enough daylight for the full lap.
All important event data and rules so you can come well prepared to the start.
The event combines sporting challenge with the mindful experience of one of Austria's most beautiful mountain regions. Although time is not the focus, electronic timing is used, primarily for safety and control along the course.
Marsch and Trail start together at 06:00 from Stift Spital am Pyhrn.
The long-distance hikers (Ultra and Challenge distance) set off together in the early morning. Meeting point and start area are at Stift Spital am Pyhrn. The early hour gives you enough daylight for the full lap.
The trail runners (Ultra and Challenge distance) start together with the hikers, also at Stift Spital am Pyhrn. On the shared course we ask for mutual respect between brisk running and deliberate walking.
The entry fee depends on the chosen distance, regardless of whether you take part as a hiker or trail runner.
52 km · 2,100 m · several aid stations along the full lap through the Nationalpark Kalkalpen. Start 06:00 · Finish cut-off 21:00 (15 h).
24 km · 1,000 m · several aid stations on the compact loop with the finish at the Hengstpass. Start 06:00 · Finish cut-off 15:00 (9 h).
For early registrants who sign up in advance to the interest list, there is a discount. Registration becomes binding only upon receipt of payment.
The KalkAlpenMarsch is deliberately not a 24-hour event. Both distances have a clear finish cut-off. On the Ultra distance there are also two guideline times for your own orientation.
| Point | km | After start | Time | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish cut-off Challenge · Hengstpass | 24 | 9 h | 15:00 | Finish cut-off |
| Guideline time Singerskogel | 35 | 11 h | 17:00 | Ultra guideline |
| Guideline time Hofalm (highest point) | 42 | 13 h | 19:00 | Ultra guideline |
| Finish cut-off Ultra · Stift Spital am Pyhrn | 52 | 15 h | 21:00 | Finish cut-off |
Ultra participants for whom the Ultra distance becomes too long underway, physically, due to performance or for any other reason, can decide at the Hengstpass by 15:00 to switch to the Challenge classification for an official finish. That way everyone gets an official result, whether as a runner or as a hiker. Being honest with yourself is part of the KalkAlpenMarsch spirit.
The two guideline times on the Ultra distance are not hard cut-offs but orientation values. Anyone significantly behind at Singerskogel or Hofalm will realistically not make the 21:00 finish. The sweeper vehicle sets off at the finish cut-off and safely returns everyone to the start.
Even though time is not the primary focus at the KalkAlpenMarsch, there will be electronic chip timing. It serves safety and control along the course, as it allows tracking which participants have already passed the checkpoints.
At the same time, timing offers ambitious participants the opportunity to complete the course as fast as possible and measure their personal performance. A deposit is collected for the chip, which is refunded upon return.
Medical support points will be set up along the course, mobile rescue forces and rescue organisations stand ready. Several abort points allow safe termination of the event if needed.
Despite all measures, every participant remains responsible for their own safety and realistic assessment of their capabilities. The course runs partly through slightly alpine terrain — appropriate preparation, equipment and experience are required.
A mandatory equipment list is deliberately not provided — with the different disciplines from long-distance hiker to trail runner, a uniform list would not be meaningful for all.
The course is clearly marked with a combination of temporary and permanent signposts. In addition, the route can be downloaded in advance as a GPX file and used on GPS devices or smartphones.
Signposts along the course contain the current position, the name of the respective section and the distance to the next aid station or waypoint.
A special element is supplementary QR codes on selected signposts. Scanned with a smartphone, they open small digital content about the region: short impulses, surprising insights and stories about the Kalkalpenmarsch — voluntary, playful, an interactive experience trail.
The official registration starts on Sunday, 3 January 2027 at 9:00. Sign up to the interest list now and secure your chance for a guaranteed starting spot plus attractive benefits for early registrants.
Reserve now →