Salzburg is up and running!

A city seemingly made for running

WHETHER or not it’s possible to go running in Salzburg, isn’t the correct question at all. What you should be asking yourself is HOW and WHEN. Here, you will see lots and lots of people getting in their regular runs. No wonder, since the opportunities for runners in the City of Mozart and outlying areas are more diverse than practically anywhere else. An irresistible trio, basically, consisting of city, country and surrounding mountains. With the deep blue water of nearby lakes as well as the River Salzach itself, here we have before us a region that was seemingly created with runners in mind. That said, there’s no better time to pull on a pair of sneakers and head out the door!

City of unlimited opportunities 

Barely has the sun risen than the embarkment next to the Salzach is already populated with the first runners of the day. Spurred on by the views of the Fortress Hohensalzburg, the historic buildings, the river and countless coffeehouses, running comes so much easier. One of the most popular stretches for a run is between the Lehenerbrücke and Karolinenbrücke bridges. An ideal warm-up for a full day ahead. For an added challenge, you can also make a detour to Nonntal and extend your run out to Schloss Hellbrunn. There, inside the palace gardens, you will also be able to log the first vertical gains of your day before returning to the city. However, if you want to go all out and do some “serious” train running, there is no better place than the city mountains. On the Mönchsberg as well as the Kapuzinerberg, there are plenty of trails where you can get away from the well-trodden paved pathways. Despite having the pulsating life of the city right there at your feet, quite literally, you also find yourself in the middle of perfectly pristine nature. 

Challenges also await runners outside of the city, of course. The focus of many a running challenge is the Gaisberg. Whether you make a beeline from the city up to the transmitter station on the summit at 1287 m above sea level, or prefer merely to circle the mountain, you should already have a fair amount of running experience and training “under your belt” to draw on. And since we are on the topic of training: Many Salzburg runners regularly prepare for several different races on the Salzburg running calendar.

Salzburg Marathon

Race day through the Festival District, along the River Salzach and out to Hellbrunn – a ‘sightseeing route’ that bears comparison with some of the major international running events. For many runners, the Salzburg Marathon is an absolute MUST year in and year out. Whether the full 26 miles and change, the half-marathon or relay, the women’s race or the team competition – everybody with a pair of running shoes on their closet floor takes to the road on this particular spring weekend. Side-by-side with thousands of fellow athletes from home and abroad, they push themselves towards personal bests, turbocharged by the endorphins surging through their veins. 

This crown jewel of running events in Salzburg also has great spectator-appeal. Fans along the course can cheer on their favorites and give the runners a welcome energy boost on their long quest for the finish line. And Salzburg being Salzburg, there is definitely no shortage of good music and good food either. 

• detailed information about the Salzburg Marathon

mozart 100

Nine competitions – one unique experience. mozart 100, a trail-running event that demands runners give all they’ve got, but also leads them to some of the most beautiful locations in Salzburg, the Salzburg Lake District and the Flachgau. Thanks to six different races varying in length, every runner can be certain of finding an event that is tailored to them: from 9 to 108 km. The starts for the various distances are the Kapitelplatz in Salzburg, Fuschl am See, St. Gilgen and Koppl.

• detailed information about the mozart 100 run

Salzburg Trail Running Festival

For a true taste of the variety Salzburg has in store for running fans, rookies and pros need look no farther than the Salzburg Trail Running Festival. A range of courses and races lead through the narrow lanes of the provincial capital, over the local mountains and to the top of the Gaisberg. A city enjoyed from a much different perspective than what you might be familiar with. A worthy conclusion to the trail-running season. 

• detailed information about the Salzburg Trail Running Festival