Runner on a trail above Lake Achensee in autumn

Where can you go trail running on Lake Achensee in autumn?

183 km of marked routes — from the flat lakeside loop to the steep mountain run

Julia & Madleine·5 min read

Autumn is a particularly fine time for trail running on Lake Achensee: cooler temperatures, colourful foliage on the slopes and hardly anyone on the paths. Around the lake there are 183 km of marked routes — from the flat loop right in Pertisau to the steep mountain run up to the Erfurter Hütte.

Runner on the route around Lake Achensee in the morning light
The classic

Achenseelauf: all the way around the lake

The Achenseelauf counts as one of Austria’s finest panoramic runs and goes right around Lake Achensee. The first part — about 14.5 km from Pertisau to Achenkirch — is flat, on asphalt and gravel, past the lakeside promenade and Seespitz in Maurach with the Atoll Achensee. The way back to Pertisau takes a narrower, more demanding path via the Gaisalm and the Prälatenbuche. Start and finish are right in Pertisau, only a few minutes’ walk from MALIA — you set off practically on the doorstep.

Start/finish: Pertisau, right at the boat landing

Distance
23 km
Duration
approx. 3:30 hrs
Difficulty
Difficult
Elevation
220 m

Good to know: There are toilets at the Pertisau boat landing and along the lakeside promenade. A GPX file for the route can be downloaded from achensee.com.

Plan your Lake Achensee adventure
Mountain running route in the Rofan above Lake Achensee in autumn
For the experienced

Mountain route: up to the Erfurter Hütte

The most demanding of the long routes also starts at the SEE-Bad Atoll Achensee in Maurach and climbs past the Buchau family resort to the Dalfaz waterfall (a via ferrata runs alongside it), then on over the Dalfaz Alm and the Teissalm to the Erfurter Hütte in the Rofan mountains. With 910 metres of ascent over 14.7 km it is a genuine challenge — but almost every bend rewards you with a view of the lake.

Start and finish: SEE-Bad Atoll Achensee, Maurach · finish: Erfurter Hütte

Distance
14.7 km
Duration
approx. 3 hrs
Difficulty
Difficult
Elevation
910 m

Where to stop: The Erfurter Hütte at the finish.

For beginners

Easy loops in Pertisau

Both start right in the village, only a few minutes’ walk from MALIA — perfect for a first taste of trail running.

Small village loop, Pertisau

2.2 km · 0:30 hrs · 10 m · Easy

Starts at the Karwendeltäler toll gate in Pertisau, passes the football pitch and runs a little way into the Karwendel nature park — almost flat, ideal for a first run.

Achensee fitness run (Pertisau → Achenkirch)

14.5 km · 73 m · Moderate

The flat, easy route along the lake on asphalt and gravel — for anyone who wants a few more kilometres but not yet the climbing. The way back is by bus or boat.

Good to know

Good to know
In total there are 183 km of marked running routes around Lake Achensee — an interactive route planner on achensee.com lets you filter by length and difficulty, and every route comes with a GPX file to download. Anyone wanting to improve their training will also find tips on uphill and downhill technique there (for example on using running poles) as well as a running and jumping drill guide. In summer there is the Achensee running camp and the Karwendelmarsch event with its own trail running camp.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Achenseelauf and how difficult is it?+

The Achenseelauf runs right around Lake Achensee: 23 km in about 3:30 hours, rated difficult. The first part (about 14.5 km from Pertisau to Achenkirch) is flat asphalt and gravel; the return covers about 8.5 km via the Gaisalm on a narrower, more demanding path.

Which trail running route on Lake Achensee suits beginners?+

The small village loop in Pertisau is ideal to start with: just 2.2 km, 10 m of ascent, easy, about 30 minutes. It starts at the Karwendeltäler toll gate in Pertisau and passes the football pitch. For a longer run without the climbing, the flat Achensee fitness run from Pertisau to Achenkirch covers 14.5 km with 73 m of ascent.

How many kilometres of running routes are there around Lake Achensee?+

The region has 183 km of marked running routes in total — from flat beginner loops to steep, technical trails for experienced runners. An interactive route planner on achensee.com lets you filter by length and difficulty.

Are there running camps or guided training on Lake Achensee?+

Yes — in summer there is the Achensee running camp, in winter the Achensee winter trail running camp, plus the Karwendelmarsch event with its own trail running camp. achensee.com also offers technique tips for mountain running, for example on using running poles uphill and downhill.

Cool air, colourful foliage and the lake in view at every step — autumn is trail running season on Lake Achensee.

Plan your Lake Achensee adventure

— yours, Julia & Madleine

Read on

  • Where can you climb on Lake Achensee, and which via ferratas suit beginners and advanced climbers?
  • Which easy hikes on Lake Achensee suit beginners and families?
  • Which sunrise hike on Lake Achensee is especially beautiful?
  • Which ski areas lie around Lake Achensee?
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