Ratschings Mountain Trail.
The Sky Trail at the Ratschings Mountain Trail runs 27 kilometres with more than 1,700 metres of climbing up into high-alpine terrain beyond the 2,400-metre mark. Two long, at times brutally steep ascents define the first half before a rolling high traverse and a technical final descent – a mountain race decided on the climbs.
Ratschings Mountain Trail 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The Sky Trail is the long course of the Ratschings Mountain Trail in South Tyrol: 27 kilometres with 1,610 metres of climbing, starting at the bridge next to the valley station of the Ratschings ski resort. After roughly a kilometre of asphalt the route moves onto forest roads, meadow paths and increasingly technical mountain trails. Past the Larchhof farm and the hamlet of Flading, the first long climb begins around kilometre 2: about five kilometres at almost twelve percent average gradient, gaining close to 600 metres up to the Klammalm hut.
From kilometre 8 comes the steepest section of the day, nearly three kilometres averaging 18 percent towards the Wetterkreuz viewpoint and Kreuzspitze. The upper part is a high alpine traverse past the Übelsee lake and over the Schlattacher Joch (2,270 m), Glaitner Hochjoch (2,390 m) and Fleckner (2,335 m), broken up by short, punchy counter-climbs before the final stretch via the Rinner Sattel and the Enzian lift station towards the Jaufen Pass and Kalcheralm.
It is a point-to-point course; the finish sits about 540 metres higher than the start. More than half of the distance is steep uphill or steep downhill, with barely six percent flat. The race is ITRA certified and counts towards the UTMB Index, and the organiser aims it squarely at experienced trail runners.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0 | 0.9 km | 9.3 % | 13.1 % | +79 m | — |
| km 2.2 | 5.1 km | 11.8 % | 44.9 % | +595 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 7.5 | 0.3 km | 7.6 % | 12.3 % | +23 m | — |
| km 8 | 3 km | 17.9 % | 39.2 % | +528 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 12.4 | 0.7 km | 16.5 % | 35.2 % | +116 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 13.8 | 0.8 km | 9 % | 22.9 % | +74 m | — |
| km 19.7 | 0.9 km | 10.3 % | 29.4 % | +90 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 25.2 | 0.8 km | 3.6 % | 6.6 % | +28 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 Ratschings Mountain Trail.
Start under control
At more than 64 vertical metres per kilometre, the gradient profile dictates almost the entire plan. The first long climb from kilometre 2 (a good five kilometres averaging nearly 12%, with ramps to 45%) should feel almost too easy early on – it isn't where the race is won, but it's where it's lost if you overreach.
Hold your rhythm
The second steep step from kilometre 8, averaging close to 18%, takes you into thin air at the high point around 2,450 metres; switch to brisk power-hiking in good time rather than trying to run the wall. The rolling ridge between them is runnable but costs more at altitude than it would in the valley. The final descent, with pitches over 22%, is decisive: burn your quads on the early climbs and you'll lose the most time here.
Spend what is left
The biggest trap is an over-ambitious start on the first mountain – altitude punishes every over-effort twice.
Training plan for Ratschings Mountain Trail: 12-week build
Build the base
Plan on three and a half to five and a half hours of effort for the Sky Trail as a typical age-group athlete, almost all of it on steep ground. The demands are unambiguous: long climbs at hiking gradients, short anaerobic spikes on the counter-climbs of the high traverse, and steep technical descents that punish unprepared quads. Close to 30 percent of the route is steep uphill and over 22 percent steep downhill.
Train race pace
Three sections decide the race: the near-600-metre climb to Klammalm from kilometre 2, the 18-percent block from kilometre 8, and the rolling traverse between 2,200 and 2,400 metres, where tired legs bleed time on every short ramp. Going too hard on the first two climbs gets paid back twice up high.
Rehearse the course
Preparation should therefore be built around vertical gain: long mountain runs of 1,200 to 1,700 metres of climbing in one outing, deliberate power-hiking practice on gradients above 15 percent, and downhill repeats on tired legs to condition the eccentric load of the steep descents. Strength work for ankles and trunk pays off on the technical trails. Since most of the course sits above 2,000 metres, sessions at comparable altitude are worthwhile where accessible.
Arrive fresh
With four aid stations (Flading, Klammalm, Schlattacher Joch and the Enzian lift station) separated by long, steep, unsupported stretches, rehearse carrying and consuming your own fluids and fuel in training rather than improvising on race day.
Courses
Download the Ratschings Mountain Trail course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Ratschings Mountain Trail dynamically
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Everything about Ratschings Mountain Trail.
How long is Ratschings Mountain Trail?
Ratschings Mountain Trail is 27 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 Ratschings Mountain Trail have?
Ratschings Mountain Trail has around 1,610 m of elevation gain over 27 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Ratschings Mountain Trail?
Ratschings Mountain Trail is classified as Mountainous, averaging 64.2 vertical metres per kilometre. 6% of the route is flat, 26% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 30% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Ratschings Mountain Trail have?
The hardest climb of Ratschings Mountain Trail starts at kilometre 2.2, runs for 5.1 km at an average of 11.8% and gains 595 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Ratschings Mountain Trail a loop course?
No, Ratschings Mountain Trail is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Ratschings Mountain Trail course?
Yes. The Ratschings Mountain 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 Ratschings Mountain Trail?
Preparation for Ratschings Mountain Trail should account for 27 km, 1,610 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 Ratschings Mountain Trail?
The pacing strategy for Ratschings Mountain Trail should reflect 27 km, 1,610 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 Ratschings Mountain Trail 2027 take place?
Ratschings Mountain Trail 2027 takes place on June 19, 2027.
Where does Ratschings Mountain Trail 2027 take place?
Ratschings Mountain Trail 2027 takes place in Ratschings, Italy.
Which distances does Ratschings Mountain Trail offer?
Ratschings Mountain Trail offers 3 distances — Sky Trail: 27 km; Mountain Trail: 17.7 km; Mountain Trail Relay: 17.7 km.
How do I register for Ratschings Mountain Trail?
Registration runs through the organiser: ratschings-mountaintrail.it. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
