The World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 in Innsbruck-Stubai offered an unforgettable experience not only for the 600-plus athletes competing across five disciplines, but also for the thousands of spectators who lined the courses throughout the Tyrolean Alps. Whether you were cheering at the start and finish area in the historic Innsbruck Old Town, standing at an alpine cheering zone high above the Stubai Valley, or riding the free cheering bus between venues — the fan experience at the 2023 WMTRC was truly world-class. This guide covers everything you need to know about attending the championships as a spectator: getting there, the best cheering zones for each discipline, travel tips, family areas and insider advice for an outstanding day at the course.
Innsbruck, situated at the crossroads of the Alps, is superbly connected to the European rail network. Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (central station) is served by Austrian Federal Railways (OeBB) long-distance trains, Deutsche Bahn ICE services from Munich (approx. 1 hour 45 minutes), direct connections from Zurich (approx. 3 hours 45 minutes), and Railjet trains from Vienna (approx. 4 hours 15 minutes). From the main station, the start and finish area in the Old Town was reachable on foot in about 15 minutes or by tram (lines 1 or 3) in just a few minutes. The organisers strongly encouraged the use of public transport to reduce traffic congestion in the city centre and the Stubai Valley during race days.
Innsbruck lies directly on the Brenner motorway (A13) and the Inn Valley motorway (A12). If you were travelling from southern Germany, you would take the A12 via Kufstein or the A13 via the Brenner Pass. Please note that a vignette (motorway toll sticker) is required for Austrian motorways. Several multi-storey car parks were available in Innsbruck during the championships, including the Olympiaworld parking garage and the Congress car park. For the races held in the Stubai Valley (Vertical Race, Stubai Ultratrail), shuttle bus services ran from Innsbruck. Parking directly at course points in the Stubai Valley was very limited — road access to Neustift and Fulpmes was partially restricted on race days due to safety closures.
Innsbruck Airport (INN) is located just four kilometres west of the city centre. Bus line F connects the airport to the main station in approximately 20 minutes. A taxi ride into the centre takes around 10 minutes. International visitors could also fly into Munich Airport (MUC) and take the train to Innsbruck — the journey takes under two hours and offers stunning views of the Bavarian and Tyrolean Alps along the way.
The organisers set up dedicated cheering zones along all five race courses — designated areas where spectators could safely stand, cheer on the athletes and experience the race action up close. Each cheering zone was clearly signposted and featured barriers to ensure the safety of both fans and runners.
The Vertical Race took athletes from Neustift in the Stubai Valley steeply upward to the Elfer summit at over 2,000 metres. The best cheering zone was at the start line in Neustift, where athletes were sent off in staggered intervals. At the finish area near the Elfer cable car summit station, spectators could access the viewing area by taking the Elferbahnen gondola directly to the top. The atmosphere at the summit — with runners pushing through the final steep ascent to cross the finish line, the panoramic alpine backdrop, and the roar of the crowd — was electrifying and arguably the most dramatic finish of the entire championships.
The classic mountain race started and finished in the centre of Innsbruck, taking runners over the slopes of the Patscherkofel and back. Cheering zones were located at the start/finish in the Old Town (near the Golden Roof), at the Patscherkofel mid-station, and along the Zirbenweg trail. The mid-station zone was particularly recommended, as runners passed through twice — once on the way up and once on the return — giving spectators two opportunities to cheer their favourites. The cobblestone finish through the medieval lanes of Innsbruck was an emotional highlight for every spectator in attendance.
The Trail Short took runners on challenging single tracks around Innsbruck. Cheering zones were set up at the start/finish (Olympiaworld), at Hoettinger Alm above Innsbruck, at the Arzler Alm climb, and along the Goetheweg trail on the Nordkette. The Nordkette cheering zone, accessible via the Hungerburgbahn funicular and the Nordkettenbahn cable car, offered a spectacular vantage point with runners threading through the landscape against the dramatic backdrop of the Karwendel mountain range.
The longest race of the championships started in the early hours and traversed the entire mountain panorama south of Innsbruck. Cheering zones were positioned at aid stations in Igls, Patsch, Matrei am Brenner and in the Gschnitz Valley. Because the race covered over 80 kilometres, mobile spectators could cheer the athletes at multiple points by moving between course access locations throughout the day. The arrival at the finish line in the Innsbruck Old Town in the late afternoon was the emotional pinnacle — weary but elated runners completing one of the toughest ultra-distance mountain races in the world while crowds lined the narrow streets to welcome them.
The Stubai Ultratrail wound through the entire Stubai Valley — past alpine meadows, along ridgeline paths and close to glacier terrain. Cheering zones were located in Fulpmes (start/finish), at the Schlicker Alm, near the Franz-Senn-Huette and at the Starkenburger Huette. For spectators who preferred not to hike the full distance between zones, the cheering zone in Fulpmes was the most convenient — runners passed through multiple times, making it an ideal spot to watch the race unfold over several hours without needing to relocate.
One of the standout spectator amenities was the free cheering bus service that operated on race days between Innsbruck and the key cheering zones in the Stubai Valley. The bus departed from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof each morning, stopping at Stubaitalbahn stations before continuing directly to the cheering zones in Neustift, Fulpmes and at the Elfer cable car base station. Departure times were synchronised with race schedules so that spectators arrived at course points just in time for the most exciting moments — for example, when the leading pack of the Vertical Race reached the summit or the first Stubai Ultratrail runners crested the Schlicker Alm.
The cheering bus ran at 30-minute intervals and was completely free of charge for all spectators. No reservation was required, although early arrival was recommended as seats filled up quickly on peak race days. The last bus back to Innsbruck departed in the evening after the award ceremony, ensuring that fans who stayed for the celebrations did not have to worry about transport.
The races took place in early June in the Tyrolean Alps, which means changeable mountain weather was possible at any time. Even when temperatures in the valley sat at a comfortable 20–25 degrees Celsius, conditions at altitudes above 2,000 metres could be noticeably cooler (5–15 degrees) with potential for strong winds and rain showers. Recommended gear included weather-resistant clothing in layers, sturdy footwear (hiking boots for the mountain station cheering zones), sun protection, sunglasses and a rain jacket. Anyone planning to watch at the Nordkette or Patscherkofel cheering zones should have been equipped as though for a light hike.
At the larger cheering zones and in the start/finish area, food and drink stands offered a range of refreshments. The Trail Running Expo at the Olympiaworld provided an extensive culinary selection, from Tyrolean specialities to international fare. For the more remote mountain course points, spectators were advised to bring their own provisions. In Neustift and Fulpmes in the Stubai Valley, traditional guesthouses and cafes were located within easy walking distance of the cheering zones.
The start and finish area in the Innsbruck Old Town was largely barrier-free and accessible. The cheering zones at mountain stations (Elfer, Nordkette, Patscherkofel) were reachable by gondola lifts that are generally wheelchair-accessible. However, course access points away from cable car stations could only be reached via unpaved hiking paths and were therefore difficult to access for people with limited mobility. In such cases, the organisers recommended the valley cheering zones — in Neustift, Fulpmes or at the start/finish area in Innsbruck — which offered the best accessibility combined with excellent race viewing.
The IVB (Innsbruck public transport) network connected the various event venues across Innsbruck efficiently. Tram lines 1 and 3 ran directly to the Old Town start/finish area. Bus services reached Igls and the Patscherkofel base station. The Stubaitalbahn tram connected Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof with Fulpmes in the Stubai Valley (journey time approximately 50 minutes). On race days, services ran at increased frequency on all relevant routes. Using public transport was also practical because parking at the venues was extremely limited during the championships.
Spectators attending the WMTRC 2023 could choose between several strategies: experience everything at one central location, or move between course points for a more varied day.
For those who wanted to witness the raw emotion of race starts and finishes, the Innsbruck Old Town was the place to be. Mountain Classic, Trail Short and Trail Long all started and finished right in front of the Golden Roof — one of Innsbruck's most iconic landmarks. The narrow medieval streets amplified every cheer, and the excitement as runners sprinted the final metres to the finish line was unmatched. The Expo at the Olympiaworld was just a short walk away, offering entertainment and food between races.
Spectators seeking the full alpine atmosphere could take the gondola up to the Elfer, Nordkette or Patscherkofel. From these elevated vantage points, the view of runners traversing the mountain landscape was spectacular. The Vertical Race finish at the Elfer summit was arguably the most goosebump-inducing moment of the entire week. Mountain station restaurants allowed fans to enjoy the race day in a comfortable alpine setting with hot drinks and traditional Tyrolean food.
Experienced trail running fans who were fit enough to hike between cheering zones could follow the action at multiple points throughout the day. This required careful planning and a willingness to cover several kilometres on foot, but offered the most comprehensive viewing experience. The organisers provided course maps with GPS coordinates for all cheering zones, and many spectators used trail running apps to track athlete positions in real time, helping them move to the next zone just ahead of the leading runners.
The World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 were designed to be an event for the whole family. At the start and finish area in Innsbruck, a dedicated Kids Zone featured a bouncy castle, a mini trail running obstacle course for children, and face-painting stations staffed by volunteers. The Expo also offered a children's programme with workshops themed around nature, mountains and outdoor adventure.
Families with young children were best served in the valley areas — Innsbruck Old Town, Neustift and Fulpmes — where the infrastructure was most comprehensive: baby changing facilities, playgrounds nearby and short walks to restaurants and cafes. The Public Races additionally offered the opportunity for hobby runners and young athletes to race on the championship courses, with the KRONE Race to Hoell being particularly popular with families thanks to its range of distances suitable for different fitness levels.
For detailed information about the individual race courses and elevation profiles, visit our courses page. The complete results for all five disciplines are also available. If you are interested in the region, our guides to the Stubai Valley and the city of Innsbruck provide travel and tourism information beyond the championships. And if you want to experience the championship courses yourself, the Public Races page covers everything about the mass-participation events that were held alongside the elite competition.
The best spectator locations were the start and finish area in the Innsbruck Old Town (for Mountain Classic, Trail Short and Trail Long), the summit station on the Elfer in the Stubai Valley (Vertical Race), and the Nordkette cheering zone (Trail Short). In the valley, Neustift and Fulpmes offered the best atmosphere for the Stubai Ultratrail. All cheering zones were signposted and accessible by public transport or the free cheering bus.
In Innsbruck, the Olympiaworld, Congress and DEZ multi-storey car parks were available. In the Stubai Valley, parking was limited — road access to Neustift and Fulpmes was partially restricted on race days. The organisers recommended arriving by public transport or using the free cheering bus from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof. Those who drove were advised to arrive early, as car parks filled up quickly on race days.
The cheering bus ran every 30 minutes on race days from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof to the cheering zones in Neustift and Fulpmes. The first departure was early in the morning (timed to the race start), and the last bus back to Innsbruck ran after the evening award ceremony. The service was free and no advance booking was required. On peak days (Vertical Race, Stubai Ultratrail) early arrival was recommended as capacity was limited.
The start and finish area in the Innsbruck Old Town was largely barrier-free. Mountain station cheering zones at the Elfer, Nordkette and Patscherkofel were reachable by wheelchair-accessible gondola lifts. Course access points away from cable car stations, however, were only reachable via unpaved mountain trails and were not suitable for people with limited mobility. The Expo at the Olympiaworld was fully accessible.
In early June, the Tyrolean Alps can be unpredictable. Valley temperatures often range from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, but at altitudes above 2,000 metres it can be significantly cooler (5 to 15 degrees). Recommended items include layered weatherproof clothing, sturdy footwear (hiking boots for mountain stations), sunscreen, sunglasses, a rain jacket and enough water. Spectators at high-altitude course points should have been equipped as for a light mountain hike.
At the start/finish in Innsbruck and at the Expo, a diverse range of food was available — from Tyrolean specialities and pasta to vegetarian and vegan options. Mountain station cheering zones at the Elfer and Nordkette had alpine restaurants serving meals and drinks. At smaller, more remote course points, no catering was available for spectators — bringing your own snacks and drinks was recommended. In the Stubai Valley, guesthouses in Neustift and Fulpmes offered additional dining options within easy reach of the cheering zones.
Innsbruck has a well-developed public transport network. Trams (lines 1 and 3) ran directly to the Old Town start/finish area. Bus services connected Igls and the Patscherkofel base station. The Stubaitalbahn linked Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof with Fulpmes in the Stubai Valley (approx. 50 minutes travel time). On race days, service frequency was increased on all relevant routes. In addition, the free cheering bus shuttle ran between Innsbruck and the Stubai Valley cheering zones throughout the day.
Yes, the championships were explicitly designed to be family-friendly. The start/finish area in Innsbruck featured a Kids Zone with a bouncy castle, a mini trail course and face-painting stations. The Expo offered children's workshops on nature and mountain themes. In the Stubai Valley, the valley stations in Neustift and Fulpmes had playgrounds, changing facilities and restaurants — ideal for families with young children. The Public Races also offered shorter distances suitable for teenagers and younger runners.