LHUT.
The LHUT is a 67 km loop through the mountains around Malenovice that throws four long, steep climbs at you, topping out above 1,300 metres. It starts and finishes at Hotel Kam and feeds you on the summit of Lysá hora. The preparation that matters most is legs that can still run steeply downhill after many hours.
LHUT 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are in the grounds of Hotel Kam in Malenovice, and the first big climb begins after barely a kilometre: almost 800 metres of gain in five and a half kilometres, reaching about 1,250 metres around km 7. The course then drops and spends a long stretch at middle height before the second ascent from km 23. It carries the steepest ramps of the day and tops out at the first high point of about 1,330 metres around km 29. From there the trail plunges almost back to start altitude within a few kilometres.
The second half repeats the pattern. From km 35 you climb again in two stages, steadier at first, then steep once more after a short interlude, up to around 1,250 metres at km 43. After the next long descent comes the biggest single effort from km 52: 900 metres in one go over just over seven kilometres, up to the second high point around km 59. The last eight kilometres take you back down to Malenovice.
There is next to nothing flat on this loop. Nearly two thirds of it is steep, up or down, and the climbing adds up to around 4,000 metres. You are fed on the summit of Lysá hora and in the start and finish area; in between you rely on what you carry. The race is run by the LHUT association with support from Lesy ČR, and timing is by chip.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.3 | 5.4 km | 14.7 % | 28.5 % | +790 m | Cat. 1 |
| km 14.8 | 1.2 km | 12.3 % | 27.5 % | +145 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 22.8 | 5.1 km | 12.2 % | 36.2 % | +626 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 33.2 | 0.6 km | 10.3 % | 18.9 % | +64 m | — |
| km 34.9 | 5k | 9 % | 22.7 % | +452 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 40.7 | 0.8 km | 12.5 % | 52.5 % | +94 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 41.6 | 2.4 km | 11.4 % | 25.6 % | +272 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 51.8 | 7.2 km | 12.5 % | 25.6 % | +900 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 LHUT.
Start under control
Think of the LHUT in climbs, not kilometres. Four long ascents and as many long descents make up almost the whole loop, and on the steep sections a strong power hike beats a forced jog. The first climb starts almost straight out of the start area: take it at the pace of the opening minutes and you have spent part of your day by km 7.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided from km 52. The final ascent is the biggest at 900 metres and arrives with about three quarters of the day's climbing already in your legs. Whoever can still climb steadily there gains more time over the last 15 km than anywhere else.
Spend what is left
The real trap is the descending. After km 29 and after km 59 you lose around 800 metres each, and flying down the first of them costs you the quads the second half needs. Run the early descents under control and plan your food and fluids so you do not run dry between Lysá hora and the finish. The finish limit gives you a little over thirteen hours.
Training plan for LHUT: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners will be out for roughly nine to thirteen hours. That is a long aerobic effort but not a steady one: hours of steep climbing alternate with equally long descents, and runnable flat ground is scarce. The load comes less from pace than from the sheer sum of vertical.
Train race pace
The core of your preparation is long mountain sessions with repeated climbs of 500 to 900 metres, mixing hiking and running. Practise a strong uphill walk deliberately, because on ramps above 20 percent it is faster and cheaper than running.
Rehearse the course
Downhill running on tired legs matters just as much. The two hardest descents come after the first high point and at the very end, when your legs have already worked for many hours. Put long descents at the end of your long runs and add strength work for quads and calves so the eccentric load does not stop you before km 59.
Arrive fresh
With no further feeding planned between the start, Lysá hora and the finish, do your long sessions with a full pack and test your race nutrition. Schedule the longest one a few weeks before 22 May so you arrive recovered.
Courses
Download the LHUT course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for LHUT 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 LHUT.
How long is LHUT?
LHUT is 67 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 LHUT have?
LHUT has around 3,766 m of elevation gain over 67 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of LHUT?
LHUT is classified as Mountainous, averaging 55.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 4% of the route is flat, 16% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 32% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does LHUT have?
The hardest climb of LHUT starts at kilometre 51.8, runs for 7.2 km at an average of 12.5% and gains 900 metres. Cycling-convention rating: HC. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is LHUT a loop course?
Yes, LHUT is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the LHUT course?
Yes. The LHUT 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 LHUT?
Preparation for LHUT should account for 67 km, 3,766 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 LHUT?
The pacing strategy for LHUT should reflect 67 km, 3,766 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 LHUT take place?
LHUT takes place on May 22, 2027.
Where does LHUT take place?
LHUT takes place in Malenovice, Czech Republic.
How do I register for LHUT?
Registration runs through the organiser: lhut.cz. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
