With APR Mag — powered by KEEN SEEK
There’s something about crisp Bavarian air in autumn, the kind that makes every step feel alive. In the shadow of the Ammergau Alps, the forest glows in deep gold, waterfalls cut through narrow valleys, and soft trails wind up toward open ridge light. That’s where we took the new KEEN SEEK trail running shoes for a spin with APR Mag and a small community of runners from Munich and beyond.
Warming up: Coffee and connection
The day started at a quiet parking lot near Unterammergau (918 m a.s.l.). While the sun lifted over the trees, C.SOL Roastery poured hot coffee for the group, fifteen of us in total, layered up and ready for the climb. Laughter, gear talk, and the smell of fresh espresso set an easy tone before we hit the trail.
The climb: Forest to ridge (918 → 1,743 m)
The route began gently, threading through pine forest and over moss-covered roots before turning steeper and rockier. Autumn leaves softened each step, waterfalls flashed between trees, and soon the valley opened to sweeping views. After roughly 7 kilometres and 785 metres of ascent, we reached the August-Schuster Haus am Pürschling (1,564 m), a mountain hut perched beneath the final ridge.
Lunch waited inside: hearty Bavarian fare, warm soup, and stories shared over steaming mugs. Outside, the forest stretched below us in every shade of copper and gold.
“They’re soft but steady, exactly what you want when the terrain keeps changing,” one runner said.
“The SEEK gripped everything — rock, root, even wet leaves. Didn’t think about my footing once,” another added.
The way down: Testing the terrain
From the hut, the trail dropped quickly, a 4 km downhill over loose gravel, packed dirt, wet leaves and short rocky pitches. It was the kind of terrain that demands focus and sure traction. The SEEK delivered: steady braking on gravel, responsive cushioning on compact ground, and that feeling of flow that comes when your trail running footwear matches the rhythm of the mountain.
Back at the trailhead, the group gathered for refresh drinks, muddy shoes, tired legs, full hearts.
Why we run
This wasn’t just a test day; it was the start of KEEN’s next chapter in trail running. The SEEK is built for days like this, technical climbs, playful descents, and community in between. Because the best trail shoes don’t just take you to the top. They bring you back down wanting more.
#TrailRunLog #KEENTrailRunning #KEENseek #Unterammergau
Photography credit: A special thanks to @nis.alps for capturing the spirit of the trail.
