A method for operating an internal combustion engine with a sliding cam valve train that has a cam part (2) with three adjacent cams of different lifts (H, M, L) and a groove-shaped connecting link path with two path sections (S1, S2) that lift in both axial directions of the cam part and are arranged completely one behind the other around the circumference is provided. An actuator (10) selectively couples two actuator pins (7, 8) in the connecting link path, in order to move the cam part. The base position of the cam part should be moved into a desired axial position during the operation of the internal combustion engine through successive coupling of the actuator pins in the connecting link path.