Beinhoat das VERTICAL.
Beinhoat das VERTICAL is regarded as Austria's steepest vertical race: from Dorfgastein up to the Fulseck the course only ever climbs, averaging around 27 percent with ramps up to 47 percent. Preparing for it is not about running speed but about climbing rate: legs, poles and patience for a good 1,100 metres of ascent without a single metre of recovery.
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The course, elevation and route profile are from the most recent edition.
Beinhoat das VERTICAL: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The course leads from the village centre of Dorfgastein straight up to the Fulseck and is one pure ascent: no flat section, no descent, virtually every metre steep. In total there are a good 1,100 metres of climbing, taken as a single continuous ascent of the highest category. A special feature of the format is free choice of line; you decide where to climb the meadow and alpine slopes, and whether to go with or without poles.
The race is certified by the International Skyrunning Federation and capped at 333 starters, which gives the evening a dense, almost familial competition atmosphere: international elites and ambitious amateurs climb the same slope. At the top, the race ends at the Fulseck summit station overlooking the Gastein valley.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0 | 4.1 km | 27.4 % | 47.2 % | +1,124 m | HC |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Beinhoat das VERTICAL.
Start under control
A vertical race has no sections to catch your breath, so control at the start is everything. The biggest trap lies in the first minutes: fresh legs, start-line adrenaline and a slope that looks runnable, even though brisk rhythmic hiking is almost always more economical from about 25 percent gradient upward.
Hold your rhythm
Settle early into an effort you can hold for an hour and regulate it by breathing and heart rate, not by pace or kilometre marks. The decisive part is the upper half, where the steepest ramps of up to 47 percent meet increasingly heavy legs.
Spend what is left
Steady pole work and short, constant steps pay off here; anyone who overcooked the lower slope loses more time on each upper ramp than they ever gained below.
Training plan for Beinhoat das VERTICAL: 12-week build
Build the base
Depending on your level, budget roughly 45 to 90 minutes of racing, short enough to be a high-intensity event, long enough that every pacing mistake takes its revenge. The demand is one continuous near-threshold effort on extreme gradients: no anaerobic spikes from changing terrain, just a single climb that tests climbing economy, strength endurance in calves, thighs and glutes, and clean pole technique.
Train race pace
Downhill running plays no role, so the entire preparation can be devoted to ascending.
Rehearse the course
Train with steep hill intervals and long single climbs collecting as much vertical gain per session as possible, with dedicated pole-hiking at race gradients, and with strength work for the extensor muscles.
Arrive fresh
Repeated climbs of 300 to 500 vertical metres near planned race intensity mirror the event best; add general aerobic endurance so that the hour of full effort rests on a stable foundation.
Courses
Download the Beinhoat das VERTICAL course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Beinhoat das VERTICAL dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Beinhoat das VERTICAL.
How long is Beinhoat das VERTICAL?
Beinhoat das VERTICAL is 3.3 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Beinhoat das VERTICAL have?
Beinhoat das VERTICAL has around 1,124 m of elevation gain over 3.3 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Beinhoat das VERTICAL?
Beinhoat das VERTICAL is classified as Mountainous, averaging 274.2 vertical metres per kilometre. 0% of the route is flat, 2% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 98% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Beinhoat das VERTICAL have?
The hardest climb of Beinhoat das VERTICAL starts at kilometre 0, runs for 4.1 km at an average of 27.4% and gains 1,124 metres. Cycling-convention rating: HC.
Is Beinhoat das VERTICAL a loop course?
No, Beinhoat das VERTICAL is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Beinhoat das VERTICAL course?
Yes. The Beinhoat das VERTICAL course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Beinhoat das VERTICAL?
Preparation for Beinhoat das VERTICAL should account for 3.3 km, 1,124 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Beinhoat das VERTICAL?
The pacing strategy for Beinhoat das VERTICAL should reflect 3.3 km, 1,124 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Beinhoat das VERTICAL 2026 next take place?
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The most recent one was held on October 17, 2026.
Where does Beinhoat das VERTICAL 2026 take place?
Beinhoat das VERTICAL 2026 takes place in Dorfgastein, Austria.
How do I register for Beinhoat das VERTICAL?
Registration runs through the organiser: beinhoat.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
