Heights Ultra Trail.
The 50km is the shorter of the two ultra distances at the Heights Ultra Trail, but not the gentler one: per kilometre you climb almost as much as on the 50-mile course. The route saves its steepest ascent for kilometre 39, and that is the climb your preparation should aim at.
Heights Ultra Trail 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Out of Linthwaite it stays almost level for a good seven kilometres, then up and down start to alternate at short intervals. The first big climb gains more than 160 metres in just under two kilometres. Twice afterwards the course falls back almost to start height before kilometre 20 opens the longest ascent: two and a half kilometres of solid climbing, then an ever gentler line to the high point around kilometre 30.
From there the loop gives it all back. With one short rise on the way it sinks to the height of the start by kilometre 38, and right there stands the steepest climb of the day, a little over a kilometre at about ten percent. A few kilometres without big changes in height follow at the top, then the last descent and a rolling finale.
Start and finish at Broad Oak Cricket Club are shared with every distance of the Hutfest, as the organiser calls the festival. It is a small charity event in support of local rural communities. The race is licensed by the TRA under UKA rules and, like the longer ultra, requires mandatory kit.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 6.5 | 0.5 km | 7.6 % | 10.9 % | +40 m | — |
| km 7.5 | 1.9 km | 8.7 % | 13.7 % | +163 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 11.2 | 0.7 km | 9 % | 16.2 % | +65 m | — |
| km 16.2 | 2.1 km | 6.4 % | 16.4 % | +136 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 20.5 | 2.5 km | 7.1 % | 17 % | +175 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 32.2 | 0.8 km | 6.4 % | 12.5 % | +49 m | — |
| km 38.6 | 1.2 km | 10.1 % | 16 % | +116 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 47.9 | 1 km | 4.5 % | 6.8 % | +44 m | — |
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 Heights Ultra Trail.
Start under control
About 1,100 metres of climbing are not spread evenly: most of the work sits in the first 30 kilometres, and the second half holds only one truly hard ascent. That sounds like a gift but asks for the opposite. Run the first half as though the hardest part is still ahead, because it is.
Hold your rhythm
The trap lies between kilometres 23 and 30. After its steep start the long ascent turns so gentle that it invites you to keep running, and you gain well over 100 metres without counting it as a climb. Hold pace here because it feels easy and the bill arrives much later.
Spend what is left
The race is decided at kilometre 39. The descent before it has already loaded your quads, and on average this climb is steeper than anything before it. Hike it evenly and without panic: a longer quiet stretch waits on top, and only those who get running again there can still gain time over the last ten kilometres.
Training plan for Heights Ultra Trail: 12-week build
Build the base
As an age-group athlete, plan on roughly five and a half to eight hours. The pace never settles for long: short hard climbs, long descents and only about a quarter of flat ground make this an aerobic endurance effort full of spikes.
Train race pace
The key is the late climb. Train for it by finishing long runs with hill repeats once you have been out for three hours. One to two kilometres at around ten percent is the measure. If your terrain allows, put a longer descent right before them, because that sequence is what makes the climb so expensive on race day.
Rehearse the course
The second focus is the long ascent to the high point, which keeps getting gentler. Steady runs on mild inclines teach you to find a pace there you can truly hold. The many descents also call for quads that tolerate the load, so keep downhill running and strength work in the plan throughout the build.
Arrive fresh
The mandatory kit comes along in training, at least on the long sessions, so that its weight is no surprise on 18 September and you know how steep hiking feels with a pack on.
Courses
Download the Heights Ultra Trail course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Heights Ultra Trail 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 Heights Ultra Trail.
How long is Heights Ultra Trail?
Heights Ultra Trail is 50 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 Heights Ultra Trail have?
Heights Ultra Trail has around 1,110 m of elevation gain over 50 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Heights Ultra Trail?
Heights Ultra Trail is classified as Hilly, averaging 22.2 vertical metres per kilometre. 25% of the route is flat, 27% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 11% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Heights Ultra Trail have?
The hardest climb of Heights Ultra Trail starts at kilometre 20.5, runs for 2.5 km at an average of 7.1% and gains 175 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Heights Ultra Trail a loop course?
Yes, Heights Ultra Trail is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Heights Ultra Trail course?
Yes. The Heights Ultra Trail 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 Heights Ultra Trail?
Preparation for Heights Ultra Trail should account for 50 km, 1,110 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 Heights Ultra Trail?
The pacing strategy for Heights Ultra Trail should reflect 50 km, 1,110 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 Heights Ultra Trail 2027 take place?
Heights Ultra Trail 2027 takes place on September 18, 2027.
Where does Heights Ultra Trail 2027 take place?
Heights Ultra Trail 2027 takes place in Huddersfield, United Kingdom.
Which distances does Heights Ultra Trail offer?
Heights Ultra Trail offers 4 distances — 50km: 50 km; 50 Mile: 80.47 km; 27km: 27 km; 10km: 10 km.
How do I register for Heights Ultra Trail?
Registration runs through the organiser: heightsultratrail.co.uk. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
