Heckmair Route

Fastest Known Time

Crossing the Alps from Oberstdorf to Lake Garda

394km 13,370 meter of altitude

The Heckmair Route

The Heckmair Route – The Original Alpine MTB Challenge

is a legendary mountain bike traverse from Oberstdorf (Germany) to Riva del Garda (Italy), created in 1989 by Andreas Heckmair, son of the renowned alpinist Anderl Heckmair. Inspired by his father’s pioneering spirit, Andreas sought to design the first true MTB Transalp, avoiding major roads and using historic trails.

Spanning 394 km with 13,500 meters of elevation gain, the route is usually completed in 5 to 7 days. It demands extreme endurance and technical skill, featuring steep hike-a-bike sections, rugged downhills, and breathtaking Alpine landscapes. Though variations exist, the original Heckmair Route remains a pure test of adventure, resilience, and self-sufficiency—a true classic for mountain bikers.

Alexander Kopp

Alexander Kopp is an experienced ultra-cyclist with numerous self-supported ultra races behind him. He also has extensive expertise in alpine mountain biking. This year, his race plan includes several smaller events, but the main highlights are the Silk Road Mountain Race and The Accursed Race, where he will defend his title.

His motivation for tackling this FKT challenge goes beyond pushing his limits to the max. He aims to bring more attention to FKT attempts on bikes in the alpine region, an area where such records are still rare. By setting this benchmark, he hopes to inspire others to follow in his tracks—or perhaps even challenge his time.

Sebastian Sarx

The Rivalry – Two Athletes, One Record

Alexander’s long-time friend BUT rival in this challenge, Sebastian Sarx, will also attempt the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Heckmair Route. They will start together but race on their own—as friends, yet with ambition.

Sarx’s background lies in mountaineering and ultra-cycling, always seeking the thrill of the Alps. Their shared pursuit of this record adds another layer of intensity to the film: two athletes, one legendary route, and a battle against time.

This creates a unique dynamic—two friends, both chasing the same record, pushing each other to the limit while racing against time.

The Film Concept

This documentary will be a cinematic, high-intensity film with a runtime of 13–24 minutes, capturing the raw essence of Alexander Kopp’s FKT attempt on the Heckmair Route.

The production will blend stunning RED Cinema footage with GoPro, Drone and mobile shots, ensuring a mix of immersive first-person action and breathtaking Alpine scenery. The film will highlight the physical and mental battle of the challenge, delivering an intense and visually striking experience.

In addition to the on-the-ground action, we will include an exclusive interview with Andreas Heckmair, the creator of the route. His insights will provide historical context, reflecting on the original vision of the Heckmair Route and how it has evolved into a legendary challenge for mountain bikers.

The film crew, Valentin Rapp and I, are not just filmmakers but experienced alpine and MTB athletes. We know how to operate in extreme mountain environments, ensuring that every shot reflects the true grit of this legendary route.

Why This Film Matters

The Heckmair Route is a legendary Alpine MTB crossing, yet FKT (Fastest Known Time) attempts are non existing yet! This film follows Alexander Kopp’s and Sebastian Sarx way to set a benchmark for athletes to follow capturing the evolution of self-supported endurance racing in one of the toughest bikepacking challenges.

With stunning visuals and an interview with route founder Andreas Heckmair, we bridge past and present—exploring the pioneering spirit that continues to push riders beyond their limits. More than just a race against time, this film aims to ignite a new era of FKTs in the Alps and showcase the raw grit of ultra-endurance mountain biking.

Join the Journey

For Brands & Sponsors:

Support a groundbreaking documentary that embodies endurance, adventure, and human resilience. Align your brand with high-performance storytelling and the pursuit of pushing limits in one of the toughest MTB challenges in the Alps.

For Festivals & Distributors:

An intense and visually stunning adventure film that captures the raw essence of ultra-endurance mountain biking. Perfect for audiences who seek high-stakes, self-supported racing and the spirit of true exploration.

📩 Get in Touch – Let’s bring this story to the world. Contact us for sponsorship opportunities, festival submissions, or distribution partnerships.

 

Thank You

see you on the trails