Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The K 12 – Stifter Trail loads all its climbing into the first half: the opening five and a half kilometres gain around 350 metres out of Schlägl, including a ramp steeper than 23 percent. From there the course tips over and runs almost continuously downhill. Preparing for the Stifter Trail means training short, punchy ascents and long, controlled descending.
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The course, elevation and route profile above are from the most recent edition.
Course & Elevation
The K 12 – Stifter Trail is the shortest running distance of the Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run, based at Schlägl Monastery in the Bohemian Forest where Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic meet. The loop covers 12.5 kilometres with around 470 metres of climbing and concentrates nearly all of it in the first half: from kilometre 1.5 three climbs come in quick succession, first two shorter ramps peaking at 17 percent, then from kilometre 4 the main ascent of 188 vertical metres over 1.5 kilometres, averaging above 12 percent with pitches up to 24 percent.
Once over the top, most of the work is done and the second half rolls predominantly downhill back to the monastery. Close to a third of the route is steeper than ordinary running terrain and flat ground accounts for less than a fifth, so the course never settles into a constant rhythm.
The event debuts in 2026 as a hike-and-run format built around the motto Enjoy the Silence: quiet forest trails, plenty of nature, little noise. The K 12 is a fitting distance for a first trail race or for a short, intense effort in one of Upper Austria's most tranquil corners.
Pacing Strategy
The course splits cleanly in two, and your pacing should follow. Stay relaxed over the flat opening kilometre and a half, because three back-to-back climbs come straight after: first moderate, then a pitch around ten percent, finally the decisive ramp at kilometre four averaging twelve percent with spikes past 23. Push too hard here and the race is gone; on the steepest metres, hiking is faster than blowing up.
From the crest near 890 metres the second half begins: more than six kilometres of near-unbroken descent to the line. That downhill decides the race. Save something on the climb and spare your quads, and you can let it run to the finish.
The trap is early bravado on the ascent that leaves nothing for the long drop home.
Training plan for Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run: 12-week build
At 12.5 kilometres with around 470 metres of climbing, the K 12 takes most athletes between 1:15 and 2:15 hours. Despite the short distance it is anything but a steady-state race: the profile forces hard transitions between steep climbing or hiking, technical descending and short flat connectors. About 14 percent of the course is steeply uphill and 16 percent steeply downhill, so the body keeps switching between high aerobic load on the climbs and eccentric muscle work on the drops.
The decisive section is the main climb from kilometre 4: 188 vertical metres at an average of 12 percent. Practised power hiking pays off here, because above roughly 15 percent brisk walking is more efficient than running for most athletes. Equally important is the long descending second half: anyone who descends confidently and relaxed gains time there at no extra energy cost.
Preparation should centre on short hill intervals of three to eight minutes on steep gradients, combined with downhill running in the same session to condition the quads against impact load. Add regular trail runs on forest paths to train footwork and changes of pace. With the race held in late May, the winter can be used for base work on the road before shifting deliberately onto trails in spring. The total load is modest but the intensity is high, so short, punchy sessions reflect this race better than long easy mileage alone.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 1.6 | 0.8 km | 5.9% | 12.8% | +49m | — |
| KM 2.8 | 1.0 km | 9.7% | 16.8% | +99m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 4.0 | 1.5 km | 12.3% | 23.6% | +188m | Cat. 3 |
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.
Course as GPX
Download the K 12 – Stifter Trail course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run 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 long is Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run?
Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run is 12.5 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 Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run have?
Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run has around 471 m of elevation gain over 12.5 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run?
Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run is classified as Hilly, averaging 29.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 19% of the route is flat, 28% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 14% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run have?
The hardest climb of Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run starts at kilometre 4, runs for 1.5 km at an average of 12.3% and gains 188 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 3 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run a loop course?
Yes, Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
How should I prepare for Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run?
Preparation for Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run should account for 12.5 km, 471 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 Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run?
The pacing strategy for Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run should reflect 12.5 km, 471 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 Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run next take place?
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The most recent one was held on May 23, 2026.
Where does Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run take place?
Raiffeisen Northtrails Hike & Run takes place in Schlägl, Austria.
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