SCENIC [M]

There is now a slightly more reasonable way to experience Schnalstal.

Slightly.

New for 2027, SAT SCENIC is the longer entry point into proper high-alpine trailrunning at Schnalstal Alpine Trail. It is less extreme than the ULTRA and SKY, which is an important distinction if you enjoy having functioning legs and a broadly civil relationship with gravity. But do not confuse accessible with easy.

This is not Disneyland with trail shoes. Over roughly 24 kilometres, SAT SCENIC collects close to 1,500 metres of climbing and takes you from Unser Frau deep into the upper valley, through Kurzras and all the way into genuine high-alpine terrain before sending you back down again. More than half of the route sits above 2,000 metres. The highest point reaches roughly 2,770 metres. Up there, the trees are long gone, the air is thinner and the mountains have stopped pretending this is a gentle introduction.

The opening kilometres give you enough running to become confident. This is useful, because confidence is exactly what the course will start spending shortly afterwards. From Unser Frau, the route works its way towards Vernagt and further into the valley, constantly gaining and losing elevation. By the time you reach the first aid station in **Kurzras**, around ten kilometres in, you have already done a considerable amount of work.

Then the proper business begins. From Kurzras, the trail turns towards the **Neue Heilbronner Hütte** and climbs decisively into the high mountains. This is the defining section of SAT SCENIC: long, steep and wonderfully uncomplicated in its intentions. You go up. Quite a lot. Running eventually becomes power hiking for most people, conversation becomes less sophisticated and the view keeps getting bigger while your vocabulary gets smaller.

At the top, the race changes character completely. What follows is a substantial descent towards **Bergl Alm**, the third aid station. After all that climbing, gravity finally becomes your friend and you might fancy a Schnalser Schneemilch. Briefly. Descending this much vertical on tired legs is its own discipline, and Schnalstal is not known for laying out red carpet when rock, roots and mountain trail will do perfectly well.

From Bergl Alm, there is still enough terrain left to prevent anyone from mentally checking out early. A few final interruptions remind the legs that climbing has not formally been abolished before the course drops back towards Vernagt and eventually Unser Frau.

That balance is what makes SAT SCENIC interesting.

It is designed for runners who want to move beyond shorter trail distances and experience what high-alpine racing actually feels like without immediately signing up for the deepest end of the SAT pool. You do not need to be an ultrarunner. You do need mountain legs, sensible pacing, proper equipment and a healthy respect for what happens above the treeline.

SAT SCENIC is the accessible one.

In Schnalstal terms.

Welcome aboard.