In the footsteps of a legend
Kandahar Hike
The legendary Kandahar downhill run is considered one of the most challenging downhill runs in the Alpine Ski World Cup. Who can take on the challenge and conquer the Kandahar uphill in summer?
Route profile
The existing hiking trail leads from the valley stations of the Kreuzeckbahn and Alpspitzbahn cable car up to the start of the downhill piste at Kreuzjoch and on to the mountain station of Kreuzeckbahn cable car.
A second variant takes hikers from the Tröglhang directly to the Kreuzeckbahn cable car.
New information boards along the way also provide interesting background facts about the legendary slope.
- Parking & start: Kreuzeckbahn/Alpspitzbahn valley station
- Level of difficulty: challenging trails for experienced hikers with a good level of fitness and surefootedness.
- BLACK: 4:20 hours walking time, 6.4 km, 996 vertical meters
- RED: 3:40 hours walking time, 5.1 km, 889 vertical meters
- Refreshment stop: Kandahar 2
Please note: The new information boards are expected to be insalled at the end of June 2024. You can see which paths are currently open at any time under “Facilities”.
Starting at the valley stations Kreuzeckbahn and Alpspitzbahn cable car, the hike first leads along a steep gravel path past the slope sections “Freier Fall”, “FIS-Schneise” and “Hölle” and crosses the Kandahar downhill run several times. Before the “Eishang”, the path leads off to the left to the Kandahar-Express. The 4-seater chairlift takes the world's best skiers to the start of the World Cup downhill run in winter, but is closed in summer.
To the left of the Kandahar-Express, you first walk along the Olympia-Abfahrt – a parallel valley run in winter – through a small forest and finally cross the “5b” variant of the legendary ski run.
Below the spectacular Trögelhang, you can choose between two different routes: the slightly shorter and easier route leads past the Tröglhütte on the right through the forest passing the Kandahar-Express and Hexenkessellift to the Kreuzeckbahn cable car mountain station.
The second option leads to the left at the Tröglhütte, past the mountain station of the Kreuzwankl-Ski-Express up to the start of the Kandahar descent on Kreuzjoch. After a short stop to take a deep breath and enjoy the view, follow the path below the Kandahar-Express mountain station, past the Kreuzalm to the Kreuzeckbahn cable car mountain station.
The Kreuzeckbahn cable car takes you back to the starting point in a comfortable way. A well-earned refreshment awaits you at the valley station in Kandahar 2 – the meeting point for ski racers and Kandahar conquerors.
