Participant hangs along iron rods

Obstacles

One at a time.

That's a tough one: On the Arlberger Wadlbeisser, 22 or 19 obstacles will make your life pretty difficult. Click through our sweat-inducing list here.

Illustration of a starting area with a gate made of steel beams. Also illustrated is the entire start zone.

TORt(o)ur 

 

Welcome to the Arlberger Wadlbeisser the start begins in a darkened room below the moderator’s stage. Music charges the atmosphere. The spectators go wild. You’re still feeling strong, but not for much longer: The first obstacle must be climbed before the starting shot is fired. Off we go!

Illustration of rectangular hay bales arranged in a row. The bales serve as an obstacle to jump over.

1. Hay Hopping

After 100 m | 100 m

  

The race has just begun, and you're already airborne! Jump and bounce over a hay bale – a perfect warm-up for your legs!

Illustration of stacked rectangular hay bales. A large container with the event logo sits on top of the bales. The arrangement forms a staircase with a high central platform that must be climbed over.

2. Hayreka

After 300 m | 300 m

 

The endless ups and downs just won’t stop: in the hay barn, you’ll feel it firsthand (watch out – it's prickly!). To conquer this obstacle, you must climb over hay bales and a container. Remember: after every low comes a high. Promise!

Drawing of a steep ascent on an unpaved trail. The obstacle consists of an exhausting uphill section with a natural surface.

3. Leg Killer

After 800 m | 800 m

 

This will make your legs feel like they are on fire from the very outset. 100 metres in elevation gain need to be surmounted over a distance of 400 metres. No later than when you get to the top, you will be hungry for more. 

Drawing of the Arlberg Tunnel with several parallel tubes. The tubes must be crawled through. A sign indicates a course split with kilometer information.

4. Arlberg Tunnel View

After 1,2 km | 1,2 km

 

Are your calves already burning? Then crawl through the left pipe and you’ll soon be at the finish line. Hard-core participants, however, opt for the long distance.

Either way: give it everything you’ve got!

Depiction of an obstacle involving carrying a log on the back. The terrain is rocky and steeply inclined.

5. Haul-Up

After 3,6 km

 

The next climb is coming, that's standard in St. Anton am Arlberg. And here it is. But that would be too easy – so grab a wooden log and carry it up with you.

Illustration of a wide, steep slide with a smooth surface. The sloped area is shaded in dark and brown tones. The slide ends at the bottom.

6. Slip 'n Slide

After 5,1 km

 

Take a breath on the water slide – but you’ll pay for this short break soon enough. The next obstacle is already waiting!

Image of a double wooden wall obstacle with two opposing A-shaped elements. The wooden walls are mounted on platforms and serve as climbing walls with support platforms.

7. Double Trouble

After 6,2 km | 1,8 km

 

Being a team player is an advantage here – climbing the wooden wall is much easier with a buddy. Oh, did you leave your "Best Buddy" at home? Then take a running start and use your pull-up skills. But don’t celebrate too soon – after the first wall, another one awaits.

Illustration of a climbing wall with numerous climbing holds in various shapes. The wall is inclined and designed for lateral climbing.

8. Climber

After 3,1 km

 

Looks easy at first glance, but the bouldering wall will drain your last bit of strength. Channel your inner monkey and conquer the obstacle – just don’t touch the ground!

Illustration of a swinging obstacle made of ropes, monkey bars, and wooden hanging elements. The setup allows for swinging or traversing over a distance.

9. Liana Swing

After 8 km 

  

You've proven your leg power – but what about your arms? Swing from rope to rope, climb the net, and get to the other side – just like Tarzan.

Depiction of an obstacle made of tilted round logs forming an unstable balance course. The structure is close to the ground and requires a good sense of balance.

10. Balance Act

After 8,5 km

 

Lose your focus here, and you’ll hit the ground – so take a deep breath and keep your eyes on the goal! Balance across tree trunks that are not just narrow but also rising.

White icon of a castle with the Arlberger Wadlbeisser logo inside. ‘Secret obstacle’ is written in white underneath.

11. Surprise Obstacle

After 8,8 km | 3,4 km

  

You thought you knew the course? Think again.Around the next corner, the unexpected awaits.No map, no spoilers – just your instincts, your courage, and maybe a bit of luck.Have fun guessing… and sweating!

Drawn scene showing a large cage filled with numerous round balls. The cage is closed at the top with a transparent cover.

12. Hamster Cage

After 9 km | 3,7 km

 

There is only one way out of the hamster cage and that is - you guessed it - at the other end. A whole load of balls will block your way, but you have no other option than to bulldoze through.

Drawing of a natural obstacle with slippery rocks in a muddy puddle. The stones must be crossed or climbed.

13. Splish Splash

After 9,1 km | 3,8 km

  

Water is your new challenge. Here, you’ll cross a slippery stream. Be thankful you’re not wading through the Rosanna River, just this small muddy and rocky waterway. Hope your shoes are waterproof!

Illustration of a wooden frame stretched with ropes like a tennis racket. It stands vertically and must be climbed over.

14. Summit Striker

After 9,4 km | 4 km

 

Climb up a huge net before making a controlled descent over wooden logs. Perfect for those who love heights and don’t fear wobbly constructions.
In Austria we say: Bergheil!

Depiction of a raised obstacle with round openings in a platform. Below the openings are vertically mounted wooden bars that serve as handholds or footholds.

15. The Tenth Hole

After 9,9 km | 4,5 km

  

At the golf course, you climb up a container to quickly come down again through a hole. The perfect hole in one!

Illustration of a steep, curved wooden wall with a smooth surface. A ladder is mounted on the back. The obstacle features the Arlberger Wadlbeisser logo.

16. Icefall Steep Climb

After 10,5 km | 5 km

 

As steep as the icefall in the Kandahar race: to conquer our quarterpipe, you need serious momentum. Good thing there’s a DJ and announcer heating up the atmosphere. Maybe a fellow racer will lend you a sweaty hand and pull you up.

Illustration of a steep slope with an attached rope. The rope is used to aid in climbing the loose terrain.

17. WellCom Vertical

After 10,8 km | 5,4 km

  

You will realise here at the latest that the shortest route is not always the fastest. A rope is your aid on this slope - with an incline gradient of only 40 percent!

Depiction of a narrow obstacle with several step beams over a water trench – requires good balance.

18. Water Strider

After 10,9 km | 5,5 km

 

Run across the water like your animal namesake. Your balance will be pushed to the limit – one wrong step and you're soaked.

Drawing of a slalom course with flagpoles, resembling a ski slalom. The flags bear the Arlberger Wadlbeisser logo.

19. World Champion Slalom

After 11,3 km | 5,8 km

  

Turn after turn – find the perfect racing line through the giant slalom gates. The commentators from the 2001 Ski World Champs will be cheering you on. Just don’t miss a gate!

Illustration of an obstacle made of wooden beams and monkey bar elements. The construction consists of a rectangular climbing frame with slanted monkey bars, rings, ropes, and narrow beams, designed for swinging across.

20. Monkey Bars

After 11,6 km | 6,1 km

 

Time to go full monkey mode! Swing yourself from one end to the other. Your biceps are on fire, sweat is dripping – but you hold on. Or do you?

Depiction of an obstacle with several rectangular water basins filled with water. The basins are separated by wooden beams.

21. Paddling Pool

After 11,9 km | 6,5 km

  

Fancy a cool down? Then the paddling pool is just the ticket. Wade, swim or dive through the cool water - despite that fact it offers no real refreshment.

Depiction of an underpass filled with old car tires without rims. Some tires hang from the ceiling by ropes.

22. Welly It

After 12,3 km | 6,8 km

 

Nothing can stop you now you’re so close to the finish. Except maybe a long trail of tires underfoot?  Hoppity hop!

Drawn scene showing a tall, vertical wooden wall as an obstacle. The wall has a smooth surface, and the obstacle course logo is placed centrally.

23. Last Hurdle

After 12,5 km | 7 km

 

The last obstacle awaits – and it's no walk in the park! A steep wooden wall blocks your way. Pull yourself up, use every ounce of muscle left, and conquer this monster! The reward? A descent and, finally, the well-earned home stretch. Finally!