Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello.
The Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello fits almost 1,100 metres of climbing into its longer loop from Villa Santo Stefano, and it does so as a night race. Two big ups and downs define the course, with next to nothing flat. Preparing for it therefore means steep climbs, but above all long, hard descents by headlamp.
Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The loop opens downhill, losing height for just over a kilometre until it reaches its lowest point at around 180 metres. From kilometre 1.5 the course then climbs for five kilometres with hardly a break. That averages eleven percent, and individual ramps go past 20 percent. Only at around 700 metres does the gradient ease. After a short extra rise at kilometre 7.5 comes the highest part of the route: until about kilometre 11.5 it rolls between 750 metres and just under 800 metres.
Then the ground tips over. The course drops about 450 metres in roughly three kilometres, and after a rolling transition the second big climb starts at kilometre 16. It runs for just under two and a half kilometres and, at a little over twelve percent on average, is steeper than the first. Just before kilometre 19 it tops out at around 640 metres, and everything left is downhill, a little over four kilometres back to the level of the start.
The meeting place is Villa Ada in Villa Santo Stefano. What gives this race its character is less its length than the pairing of steepness and night: more than half the loop is steep ground, uphill and downhill alike. Alongside the 23 kilometres, the same date offers a shorter race over 13 kilometres.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.5 | 5.1 km | 10.9 % | 23.5 % | +560 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 7.5 | 1 km | 8.3 % | 20.3 % | +83 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 11 | 0.6 km | 7 % | 9.3 % | +42 m | — |
| km 14.7 | 0.4 km | 4.1 % | 5.5 % | +14 m | — |
| km 15.4 | 0.5 km | 3.7 % | 6.1 % | +17 m | — |
| km 16.2 | 2.4 km | 12.1 % | 24.6 % | +294 m | Cat. 3 |
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 Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello.
Start under control
The course falls into five sections, and only the rolling stretch between kilometres 8 and 11.5 can really be run at an even rhythm. Treat the first climb as a test of patience: on these ramps a strong hike is, for most runners, both faster and cheaper than a running stride that collapses after a few minutes. Arrive at the top able to jog straight away on the high ground.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 16 and 19. The second climb is steeper than the first and meets quads that have just absorbed a 450-metre descent. If you can still hike rhythmically here you gain places, and only legs in that state can use the final four kilometres of downhill.
Spend what is left
The main trap is the first long descent from kilometre 12. It looks like free time, but in the beam of a headlamp you only see the next few metres, and every hard braking step taxes exactly the muscles you need for the climb that follows. Take it with short steps and under control.
Training plan for Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners will be out for roughly 3:30 to 5 hours. This is not a steady endurance effort: the long climbs hold you in the upper aerobic range, while the descents in between ease your heart and lungs but cost your legs more than your pulse suggests.
Train race pace
The key moment of the race is the second climb after the first big descent, and that exact order belongs in training. Build steep uphill blocks into your long runs, then take a long slope briskly downhill and head straight back up. A block of 20 to 30 minutes in one go prepares you for the length of the first climb. Practise strong hiking on purpose, with your hands on your thighs, because it will make up a large part of your race time.
Rehearse the course
Just as important is durability on the descents. Regular downhill running on steep ground, together with strength work such as lunges and slow step-downs, toughens the quads against the constant braking. Start early enough before 30 May, because this adaptation cannot be rushed in the final weeks.
Arrive fresh
The night is what separates this race from other mountain runs of its length. So run several sessions by headlamp, ideally steep descents on paths you know from daylight, and get used to finding pace and footing without looking far ahead. Use those runs to test your lamp and your food as well: eating and drinking are harder in the dark and late in the evening than they seem during the day.
Courses
Download the Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello.
How long is Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello?
Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello is 23 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 Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello have?
Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello has around 1,089 m of elevation gain over 23 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello?
Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello is classified as Mountainous, averaging 47.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 5% of the route is flat, 23% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 29% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello have?
The hardest climb of Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello starts at kilometre 1.5, runs for 5.1 km at an average of 10.9% and gains 560 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 6 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello a loop course?
Yes, Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello course?
Yes. The Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello 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 Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello?
Preparation for Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello should account for 23 km, 1,089 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 Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello?
The pacing strategy for Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello should reflect 23 km, 1,089 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 Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello take place?
Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello takes place on May 30, 2027.
Where does Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello take place?
Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello takes place in Villa Santo Stefano, Italy.
Which distances does Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello offer?
Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello offers 2 distances — Night Trail Lupino nell’Orticello 23 km: 23 km; Night Trail Lupino nell’Orticello 13 km: 13 km.
How do I register for Night Trail Lupino nell'Orticello?
Registration runs through the organiser: tmltrail.it. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
