Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge.
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.
Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
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.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.7 | 1.4 km | 11.9 % | 21.6 % | +166 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 5.3 | 0.8 km | 10 % | 22.3 % | +75 m | — |
| km 9.7 | 1 km | 10.6 % | 18.2 % | +106 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 13.7 | 5.2 km | 12.4 % | 33.4 % | +648 m | Cat. 1 |
| km 19.8 | 1.4 km | 12.2 % | 29.2 % | +167 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 28.9 | 3.7 km | 10.8 % | 27.2 % | +401 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 32.7 | 0.7 km | 7.3 % | 19.3 % | +49 m | — |
| km 34.2 | 2.6 km | 17 % | 39.4 % | +437 m | 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.
How to pace Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge.
Start under control
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.
Hold your rhythm
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.
Spend what is left
Over 28 percent of the course climbs steeply; hiking rather than running the steepest sections saves the muscles for the high finishing climb.
Training plan for Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge: 12-week build
Build the base
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.
Train race pace
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.
Rehearse the course
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.
Arrive fresh
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.
Courses
Download the Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge dynamically
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Everything about Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge.
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 2,315 m of elevation gain over 44 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge?
Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge is classified as Mountainous, averaging 54 vertical metres per kilometre. 7% of the route is flat, 22% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 28% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge have?
The hardest climb of Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge starts at kilometre 13.7, runs for 5.2 km at an average of 12.4% and gains 648 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 1. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge a loop course?
No, Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge course?
Yes. The Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge?
Preparation for Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge should account for 44 km, 2,315 m 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, 2,315 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
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.
Which distances does Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge offer?
Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge offers 11 distances — Salzburger Sparkasse Fanningbergtrail: 44 km; Fanningbergtrail 3er-Staffel: 44 km; Gensgitschtrail: 37 km; Gummatrail: 30.5 km; SN-Prebertrail: 15.5 km; SN-Prebertrail (Hike): 15.5 km and 5 more.
How do I register for Lungauer Tauern Krone Challenge?
Registration runs through the organiser: tauernkrone-challenge.at. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
