Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge Training Plan & Preparation
The Fanningbergtrail is the queen distance of the Tauern Krone Challenge: 44 kilometres and around 2,400 metres of climbing across the Lungau. Its backbone is a climb of over five kilometres from kilometre 13.7, yet the Fanningbergtrail is only decided late — two further big ramps in the final third demand strength when the legs are already tired.
Course & Elevation
The Salzburger Sparkasse Fanningbergtrail is the longest course of the Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge: 44 kilometres and 2,315 metres of climbing, run point to point from Mauterndorf through Austria's Lungau region to the shared finish at lake Prebersee next to the Ludlalm hut. The finish sits roughly 400 metres higher than the start, and the profile adds up to almost 2,400 metres of total ascent along the way.
The opening third rolls constantly, with shorter ramps at kilometres 0.7, 5.3 and 9.7. The first major test starts at kilometre 13.7: 5.2 kilometres at an average of 12.4 percent, gaining 648 metres with pitches above 30 percent. Another ramp at kilometre 19.8 leads into a long rolling section before the finale begins. From kilometre 28.9 the course climbs 3.7 kilometres for about 400 metres of gain, and at kilometre 34.2 comes the steepest ascent of the day, 2.6 kilometres at 17 percent average with sections near 39 percent.
More than half of the distance is steep terrain in one direction or the other, and barely seven percent of the course is flat. Treat it as a full mountain day with running sections rather than a run with a few hills.
Pacing Strategy
This is a point-to-point trail with a net gain of a good 400 metres and three defining climbs. The first big ascent (kilometre 13.7 to 19, averaging 12.4 percent, 648 metres) is the longest but not the most costly — and that is the trap: take it too eagerly and you have nothing left for the final third.
A long descent to kilometre 28 follows, then the two race-deciding ramps: the category-2 climb from kilometre 28.9 (401 metres) and immediately the steep wall from kilometre 34.2 averaging 17 percent (437 metres). Ration your strength so you can still climb after 34 kilometres: run the first half in the aerobic zone, ease into the long climb, recover and eat actively on the descent.
Over 28 percent of the course climbs steeply — hiking rather than running the steepest sections saves the muscles for the high finishing climb.
12-Week Preparation
Plan for five to eight hours of effort on the Fanningbergtrail, depending on your level. It is a long, mostly aerobic mountain day in which running, strong uphill hiking and technical descending alternate constantly. About 28 percent of the course is steep climbing and almost a quarter is steep descending, with a net gain of roughly 400 metres to the finish at lake Prebersee.
Two sections decide the race. The first is the long climb from kilometre 13.7, gaining 648 metres over 5.2 kilometres; starting too fast here can wreck the entire second half. The second is the finale: with more than 28 kilometres in your legs, two further climbs totalling over 800 metres of gain remain, including the steepest ramp of the course at 17 percent average. Whoever can still hike with power there gains minutes.
In training that translates to long mountain runs of four to six hours with the climbing deliberately loaded into the second half. Add brisk uphill hiking on steep slopes, because on ramps above 20 percent hiking is usually the more efficient gait. Practise descending on tired legs, since nearly 2,000 metres of downhill puts heavy eccentric load on the quads. Finally, rehearse your fuelling during the long sessions; at this race duration, energy intake is a performance factor in its own right.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 0.7 | 1.4 km | 11.9% | 21.6% | +166m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 5.3 | 0.8 km | 10.0% | 22.3% | +75m | — |
| KM 9.7 | 1.0 km | 10.6% | 18.2% | +106m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 13.7 | 5.2 km | 12.4% | 33.4% | +648m | Cat. 1 |
| KM 19.8 | 1.4 km | 12.2% | 29.2% | +167m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 28.9 | 3.7 km | 10.8% | 27.2% | +401m | Cat. 2 |
| KM 32.7 | 0.7 km | 7.3% | 19.3% | +49m | — |
| KM 34.2 | 2.6 km | 17.0% | 39.4% | +437m | Cat. 2 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself — length and gradient — regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Frequently asked questions
How should I prepare for Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge?
Preparation for Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge should account for 44 km, +2315m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge?
The pacing strategy for Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge should reflect 44 km, +2315m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
How long is Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge?
Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge is 44 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge have?
Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge has around +2315m of elevation gain over 44 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
When does Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge 2027 take place?
Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge 2027 takes place on June 26, 2027.
Where does Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge 2027 take place?
Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge 2027 takes place in Tamsweg, Austria.