Mountainman Grossarltal.
The XXL-Trail is the longest course at the Mountainman Grossarltal, and it starts while the valley is still dark. Twice you climb around 1,000 metres in one go from the valley floor, dropping almost back to start level in between. Preparing for it means being able to begin all over again after 20 kilometres.
Mountainman Grossarltal 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
A few hundred metres along the valley are all you get before the first big climb: almost eight kilometres at an average of just over 14 percent, from about 880 to around 1,900 metres. After a short stretch at that height the descent begins, and it goes all the way. At kilometre 20 you are back at little more than 900 metres, nearly at start level, and the second climb is barely shorter and just as steep as the first.
From there the course changes character. Between kilometres 30 and 50 you stay mostly above 1,700 metres, with shorter climbs of one to two kilometres breaking up long downhill stretches, and the high point of the day comes near kilometre 42 at about 2,060 metres. Kilometre 55 brings the last serious climb, just over 300 metres of gain, before the loop drops around 1,000 metres back to the valley in its final eight kilometres.
Summit trails in the valley of the alpine pastures is how the organiser describes this ground, and the pastures give the long day its stages: food is found at points such as Gehwolfalm, Bichlalm, Filzmoosalm and the Kleinarler Hütte. Level ground, on the other hand, hardly exists.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.3 | 7.8 km | 14.2 % | 25.6 % | +1,111 m | HC |
| km 20.2 | 7.1 km | 14.5 % | 33.1 % | +1,031 m | HC |
| km 28.5 | 1 km | 10.9 % | 17.2 % | +109 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 38.9 | 1.8 km | 7.9 % | 14.5 % | +142 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 41.1 | 1.2 km | 14.9 % | 23.5 % | +178 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 45 | 2.1 km | 7 % | 11.7 % | +149 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 54.9 | 2.8 km | 11.4 % | 17.3 % | +319 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 59.2 | 1.8 km | 6.2 % | 11.9 % | +111 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 Mountainman Grossarltal.
Start under control
More than half the ascent sits in the two long climbs of the first 28 kilometres, and at an average of 14 percent hardly anyone runs them throughout. Hike both at a pace you could hold for hours. The first happens by headlamp, with no view of how much mountain is still ahead, so steer by breathing and heart rate rather than by the lights in front of you.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 20 and 30. The second climb starts with well over 1,000 metres of descent already in your legs, and only reserves left at the top let you run the high ground afterwards rather than simply get through it. Arrive empty and there are still 40 kilometres to go.
Spend what is left
The biggest trap is the first descent. Ten kilometres downhill feel like recovery after the climb, yet every kilometre taken too fast spends quads you need again after kilometre 62, for the last drop into the valley.
Training plan for Mountainman Grossarltal: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect eleven to 16 hours depending on your form. It is a long aerobic effort that pushes your heart rate up on every steep climb without ever turning into fast running: hiking uphill and controlled running downhill alternate all day, with hardly any flat kilometres to rest on.
Train race pace
The key is the second climb. Build mountain days that copy its sequence: 1,000 metres up, back down, and straight up again. Hiking steeply for more than an hour is a skill of its own, practised on paths with double-digit gradients rather than on the short hill of an evening run. At 14 percent your hips carry you rather than your running speed, and you only notice that after the first hour.
Rehearse the course
The descents matter just as much, because every metre gained has to be brought down again through your quads. Put long downhill stretches at the end of your long sessions so you train descending on tired legs, not just on fresh ones.
Arrive fresh
The night belongs in the plan too. Do some long sessions very early in the morning with a headlamp, so that breakfast at an odd hour and sure footing in the beam become familiar. Use them to practise eating regularly over many hours, since at this duration fuelling helps decide the outcome. A race date at the end of August leaves you the whole summer for days like these.
Courses
Download the Mountainman Grossarltal course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Mountainman Grossarltal 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 Mountainman Grossarltal.
How long is Mountainman Grossarltal?
Mountainman Grossarltal is 70 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 Mountainman Grossarltal have?
Mountainman Grossarltal has around 3,669 m of elevation gain over 70 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Mountainman Grossarltal?
Mountainman Grossarltal is classified as Mountainous, averaging 53 vertical metres per kilometre. 5% of the route is flat, 20% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 30% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Mountainman Grossarltal have?
The hardest climb of Mountainman Grossarltal starts at kilometre 0.3, runs for 7.8 km at an average of 14.2% and gains 1,111 metres. Cycling-convention rating: HC. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Mountainman Grossarltal a loop course?
Yes, Mountainman Grossarltal is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Mountainman Grossarltal course?
Yes. The Mountainman Grossarltal 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 Mountainman Grossarltal?
Preparation for Mountainman Grossarltal should account for 70 km, 3,669 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 Mountainman Grossarltal?
The pacing strategy for Mountainman Grossarltal should reflect 70 km, 3,669 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 Mountainman Grossarltal take place?
Mountainman Grossarltal takes place on August 28, 2027.
Where does Mountainman Grossarltal take place?
Mountainman Grossarltal takes place in Großarl, Austria.
Which distances does Mountainman Grossarltal offer?
Mountainman Grossarltal offers 6 distances — XXL-Trail: 70 km; XL-Trail: 50 km; L-Trail: 30 km; M-Trail: 21 km (Half marathon); S-Trail: 15 km; XS-Trail: 10 km.
How do I register for Mountainman Grossarltal?
Registration runs through the organiser: mountainman.de. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
