Sauwald Trail.
The Frauscher 3 Berg Trail is the 25-kilometre loop of the Sauwald Trail through the wooded hills around Schardenberg. With 547 metres of climbing spread across several short ascents it is not a pure mountain trail but a rolling course whose difficulty sits in the final third, where the steepest ramps wait just after the lowest point.
Sauwald Trail 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The Frauscher 3 Berg Trail runs as a 25-kilometre loop through the Sauwald, the wooded ridge around Schardenberg. Start and finish lie at the sports ground of Union Schardenberg, and in between 547 metres of climbing gather on grippy forest and meadow paths.
The first half is rolling but forgiving: short climbs at kilometre two and just under four, a gentle up and down around 500 metres of altitude. At kilometre eight the first longer climb arrives, a good kilometre with pitches up to 15 percent, after which the course keeps rolling along the ridge.
From kilometre twelve a long descent begins, dropping to the lowest point at around 320 metres. This is exactly where the loop turns: at kilometre 16.85 a short, brutal ramp waits, averaging 15 percent with pitches to 23 percent. The real finale follows from kilometre 21: a 700-metre climb at almost 12 percent on average lifts the course back up to the finish on tired legs. The three prominent rises give the run its name, and the profile deliberately bundles its difficulty at the end.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2 | 0.4 km | 8.3 % | 12 % | +29 m | — |
| km 3.7 | 0.8 km | 5.1 % | 8.3 % | +38 m | — |
| km 8 | 1.2 km | 7 % | 15.1 % | +82 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 9.3 | 0.8 km | 5.8 % | 11.3 % | +48 m | — |
| km 16.9 | 0.3 km | 15.3 % | 23.4 % | +46 m | — |
| km 21 | 0.7 km | 11.6 % | 19.7 % | +81 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 22.1 | 0.6 km | 6.9 % | 11.5 % | +40 m | — |
| km 23.2 | 0.7 km | 3.6 % | 8.3 % | +25 m | — |
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 Sauwald Trail.
Start under control
The 3 Berg Trail is decided in the final third, not at the start. The first sixteen kilometres are rolling and slightly net downhill; the biggest danger here is enjoying the soft ground and the long descent to the low point and running too fast. Hold something back deliberately on this section, because from kilometre 16.85 the character flips: first the short 23-percent ramp, then from kilometre 21 the 700-metre closing climb with pitches to 20 percent, both on already tired legs.
Hold your rhythm
Overrun the first half and you drop to a walk here. Ration your strength so you can still run, or at least march briskly, up the steep ramps at the end. On the gentler rollers of the first half, run economically in the aerobic range; on the long descent before kilometre 16, let it flow under control without wrecking your quads for the finish.
Spend what is left
The decisive metres are the last climb back to the sports ground: that is where placings are made.
Training plan for Sauwald Trail: 12-week build
Build the base
For ambitious recreational runners the Frauscher 3 Berg Trail takes roughly 2:15 to 3:15 hours depending on trail experience and ground conditions. The load is mostly steady and aerobic: 547 metres of climbing over 25 kilometres make for a rolling rather than mountainous character, alternating longer base phases with short, intense climbs.
Train race pace
The final kilometres are race-deciding. The short, very steep ramp at kilometre 16.85 and above all the 700-metre closing climb from kilometre 21 demand strong legs and gradient tolerance at a point when most of the course already sits in your legs. Added to that is the long descent before it, which drops to the lowest point and loads the quads eccentrically before the road turns steeply up again.
Rehearse the course
In training, long runs on rolling trail terrain belong at the centre, ideally with the climbs in the final third to rehearse the finish on tired legs. Add short, steep hill intervals for the 20-percent ramps and dedicated downhill work so the long descent before the closing climb doesn't ruin your legs.
Arrive fresh
Run on similar ground where you can (forest and meadow paths) to train sure footing and foot stability. A solid aerobic base carries you across the rolling first two thirds without spending the substance you need at the end.
Courses
Download the Sauwald Trail course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Sauwald Trail dynamically
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Everything about Sauwald Trail.
How long is Sauwald Trail?
Sauwald Trail is 25 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 Sauwald Trail have?
Sauwald Trail has around 616 m of elevation gain over 25 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Sauwald Trail?
Sauwald Trail is classified as Hilly, averaging 21.5 vertical metres per kilometre. 19% of the route is flat, 33% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 8% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Sauwald Trail have?
The hardest climb of Sauwald Trail starts at kilometre 8, runs for 1.2 km at an average of 7% and gains 82 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Sauwald Trail a loop course?
Yes, Sauwald Trail is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Sauwald Trail course?
Yes. The Sauwald Trail 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 Sauwald Trail?
Preparation for Sauwald Trail should account for 25 km, 616 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 Sauwald Trail?
The pacing strategy for Sauwald Trail should reflect 25 km, 616 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 Sauwald Trail take place?
Sauwald Trail takes place on June 26, 2027.
Where does Sauwald Trail take place?
Sauwald Trail takes place in Schardenberg, Austria.
How do I register for Sauwald Trail?
Registration runs through the organiser: sauwaldtrail.at. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
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