Lake Züri 100.
The Lake Züri 100 is one big 107 km loop from the Zürichberg over Albis, Etzel and Pfannenstiel and back to Tennisclub Sonnenberg. A Western States 100 lottery qualifier and UTMB World Series index race held in early April, it asks for a build that takes steep ramps as seriously as a long, runnable final third.
Lake Züri 100 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are at Tennisclub Sonnenberg on the Zürichberg, and the loop opens downhill, shedding about 150 metres over the first eight kilometres. That ends at km 12.6, where the first serious ramp of the day climbs towards the Albis crest for just over a kilometre and a half at around 15 percent. The crest itself rolls, and a short pitch of nearly 20 percent leads to the first aid station at Albishorn, km 27. The course then drops to just over 500 metres and rises gently to Sihlmatt.
The middle belongs to the Twin Peaks. From km 45 the route climbs for almost four kilometres at nearly 14 percent and soon reaches the highest ground of the loop, just under 1,200 metres. After a descent to below 800 metres, the second ascent starts at km 55.5 and gains over 300 metres to Etzel. From there the course plunges more than 600 metres in about four kilometres.
At the bottom a different race begins, with the next aid station at, of all places, a bouldering gym. Until km 72 the Speed Way stays almost level at just over 400 metres, then it rises steadily for more than 15 kilometres. The short Mount Pfanne climb from km 89.6 takes you to Pfannenstiel, and the last 16 kilometres rise and fall before dropping back to Sonnenberg.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 10.7 | 1.3 km | 9.6 % | 15.2 % | +122 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 12.6 | 1.6 km | 15.2 % | 29.8 % | +236 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 20.1 | 1.7 km | 6.4 % | 13.9 % | +106 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 25.7 | 0.6 km | 19.3 % | 28.4 % | +106 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 40.8 | 1.1 km | 7.9 % | 15.3 % | +83 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 45 | 3.8 km | 13.6 % | 29.4 % | +508 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 55.5 | 3.5 km | 8.9 % | 26.4 % | +311 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 89.7 | 1.4 km | 8.2 % | 16.2 % | +117 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 Lake Züri 100.
Start under control
The downhill start feels like a gift and is not one: it is 27 km to the first aid station at Albishorn, with ramps of nearly 30 percent on the way. Power-hike them, eat and drink from your own supplies from the start, and treat everything up to Sihlmatt as the commute to the real day.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided not on the Twin Peaks but on the 25 kilometres behind them. From km 63 to the foot of Pfannenstiel nearly everything can be run, and that is where anyone who stayed below threshold between km 45 and 59 makes up ground. Overreach up high, even at a hike, and you will be walking where walking costs the most.
Spend what is left
The biggest trap is the descent from Etzel. After two hard climbs it feels like recovery, yet those 600-plus metres of drop eat the quads you need on the flat. Take it under control even if it costs places, and split your fuelling into stages: Sihlmatt to Etzel is 20 km, and Boulderhalle to Pfannenstiel another 19.
Training plan for Lake Züri 100: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect roughly 12 to 18 hours for 107 km and nearly 3,000 metres of climbing, depending on your level. Most of it is steady aerobic work, broken by short, very steep pitches where even walking loads the legs fully. The bulk of the climbing comes before km 60 and the longest runnable stretch after it, and that order shapes the training.
Train race pace
Three places need specific preparation: the Albis ramps on fresh legs, the two Twin Peaks ascents after some 45 km, and the descent from Etzel, which leaves the muscles compromised for the rest of the day. Train only one of them and the Speed Way will present the bill.
Rehearse the course
Build in regular fast hiking on slopes of 15 percent or more, in short intervals at first and later for 30 to 40 minutes at a stretch. Add long runs in which a steep descent leads straight into flat running: that mirrors the transition at km 63, and it teaches you to run smoothly on tired quads. Two long sessions on consecutive days deliver the duration without the damage of a single oversized run.
Arrive fresh
With race day in early April, your entire build falls in the winter months and the last big weeks come in March. Place your volume peak early enough for that, and rehearse fuelling for the 27 km to the first aid station by carrying everything yourself on long runs.
Courses
Download the Lake Züri 100 course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Lake Züri 100 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 Lake Züri 100.
How long is Lake Züri 100?
Lake Züri 100 is 107 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 Lake Züri 100 have?
Lake Züri 100 has around 2,946 m of elevation gain over 107 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Lake Züri 100?
Lake Züri 100 is classified as Mountainous, averaging 27.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 23% of the route is flat, 30% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 12% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Lake Züri 100 have?
The hardest climb of Lake Züri 100 starts at kilometre 45, runs for 3.8 km at an average of 13.6% and gains 508 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Lake Züri 100 a loop course?
Yes, Lake Züri 100 is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Lake Züri 100 course?
Yes. The Lake Züri 100 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 Lake Züri 100?
Preparation for Lake Züri 100 should account for 107 km, 2,946 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 Lake Züri 100?
The pacing strategy for Lake Züri 100 should reflect 107 km, 2,946 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 Lake Züri 100 2027 take place?
Lake Züri 100 2027 takes place on April 3, 2027.
Where does Lake Züri 100 2027 take place?
Lake Züri 100 2027 takes place in Zürich, Switzerland.
How do I register for Lake Züri 100?
Registration runs through the organiser: lz100.ch. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
