Trailsplus - Bogong to Hotham.
Choose the final 29 km of Bogong to Hotham and you start high up, at around 1,600 metres out on the plains, with the summit of Mount Hotham as your finish. It is the most runnable part of the route, with a sting in it: the drop to the Cobungra River and the steep Swindler’s Spur, which tests every reserve just after 19 km.
Bogong to Hotham 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The start sits where the 35 km race ends, on the Bogong High Plains, and transport is arranged. The first 16 kilometres rise only gradually to about 1,770 metres, with small waves and hardly any steep ground. This is the stretch where the race feels like a run along the roof of Victoria rather than a mountain event.
The key to the course comes next. From 16 km the way leaves the heights and falls a little over 400 metres in about three kilometres to the Cobungra River. Immediately behind it Swindler’s Spur begins, regaining almost 350 metres in a little over a kilometre and a half at an average above 20 percent. A third of the race’s total climbing sits in this single ascent.
The top of the spur is not the end. Over the last eight kilometres the course keeps rising in shorter ramps with small dips between them, up to the finish on the summit of Mount Hotham at around 1,850 metres. That is your highest point of the day, and the same finish the 64 km runners are heading for.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 4.2 | 1.9 km | 4.8 % | 11.7 % | +93 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 9 | 0.7 km | 4.2 % | 6.4 % | +30 m | — |
| km 12.2 | 1.4 km | 4.4 % | 9.7 % | +63 m | — |
| km 19.2 | 1.6 km | 22.4 % | 35.2 % | +347 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 21.6 | 0.8 km | 9.8 % | 23.7 % | +81 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 22.8 | 1.6 km | 6.1 % | 15 % | +94 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 25.3 | 0.5 km | 11.1 % | 20.6 % | +55 m | — |
| km 26.5 | 1.7 km | 6 % | 15.3 % | +103 m | Cat. 4 |
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 Bogong to Hotham.
Start under control
This race starts like a steady trail run and ends like a mountain race. Only about a quarter of the course is steep, and little of that shows in the first 16 kilometres, so here you really can run. Choose a pace that suits several hours, though, not a half marathon.
Hold your rhythm
The trap lies in exactly that ease: press on across the plains and you have spent your reserves before the descent even begins. The race is then settled on Swindler’s Spur. The switch from fast downhill running to a gradient above 20 percent comes abruptly, and if you go in too hard you will need the rest of the climb just to recover. Hike it evenly and without hurry.
Spend what is left
The remaining eight kilometres are where time can be won back. The ramps are short enough to keep moving through, and the gap to anyone who overcooked Swindler’s Spur grows quickly here.
Training plan for Bogong to Hotham: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners are out for roughly three and a half to five and a half hours, most of it steady aerobic running. Unlike the two longer distances, this is a race where running economy counts, because most of your time is spent on moderately rolling ground.
Train race pace
On top of that comes one hard block: about three kilometres steeply downhill, then 20 to 30 minutes steeply uphill, and only after two hours or more of racing. Reproduce exactly that sequence. A longer run on rolling terrain with a steep descent and an immediate climb built in after two hours is the key session of the build-up.
Rehearse the course
Practise carrying on afterwards as well. Follow the steep part of that session with at least 30 to 45 minutes at moderate pace over short rises, because the race continues for eight kilometres beyond Swindler’s Spur. Hill intervals of 15 to 25 minutes on steep slopes and regular, deliberate downhill running round out the programme.
Arrive fresh
The whole course lies above 1,300 metres, reaching a little over 1,800. That is no extreme altitude, but if you travel from low ground, expect a slightly higher heart rate on Swindler’s Spur. The mid-January date falls in the Australian summer, and even the shortest distance keeps you out for several hours: plan your drinking and eating accordingly and try both on your long sessions.
Courses
Download the Bogong to Hotham course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Trailsplus - Bogong to Hotham 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 Trailsplus - Bogong to Hotham.
How long is Bogong to Hotham?
Bogong to Hotham is 29 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 Bogong to Hotham have?
Bogong to Hotham has around 1,046 m of elevation gain over 29 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Bogong to Hotham?
Bogong to Hotham is classified as Mountainous, averaging 36.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 14% of the route is flat, 38% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 13% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Bogong to Hotham have?
The hardest climb of Bogong to Hotham starts at kilometre 19.2, runs for 1.6 km at an average of 22.4% and gains 347 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Bogong to Hotham a loop course?
No, Bogong to Hotham is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Bogong to Hotham course?
Yes. The Bogong to Hotham 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 Bogong to Hotham?
Preparation for Bogong to Hotham should account for 29 km, 1,046 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 Bogong to Hotham?
The pacing strategy for Bogong to Hotham should reflect 29 km, 1,046 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 Trailsplus - Bogong to Hotham take place?
Trailsplus - Bogong to Hotham takes place on January 16, 2027.
Where does Trailsplus - Bogong to Hotham take place?
Trailsplus - Bogong to Hotham takes place in Tawonga, Australia.
Which distances does Bogong to Hotham offer?
Bogong to Hotham offers 3 distances — Bogong to Hotham 29 km: 29 km; Bogong to Hotham 35 km: 35 km; Bogong to Hotham 64 km: 64 km.
How do I register for Bogong to Hotham?
Registration runs through the organiser: bogong2hotham.com.au. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
