Szavanna Trail.
Szavanna 6 is the shortest course at the Szavanna Trail, and it splits cleanly in two: just under three kilometres of climbing out of Pákozd's cultural centre, then a long run back downhill to the finish. The race comes down to how much you spend on the steady ascent while keeping your legs for the way down.
Szavanna Trail 2027: Course, Route Profile & Map
Start and finish are at the Kossuth Lajos Művelődési Ház, the cultural centre on Budai út in Pákozd. A few hundred metres in, the only sustained climb of the loop begins: for a little over 2.8 kilometres the course gains height steadily, averaging just over three percent with a few noticeably steeper pitches. It is not a wall that forces you to walk but a long incline that works on your breathing for a quarter of an hour or more. You reach the high point just past the three kilometre mark.
From there the course drops back towards the start with no climbing worth the name, the last two and a half kilometres running almost entirely downhill. Because the loop finishes where it began, every metre gained early is paid back on the return. That makes this the most accessible way into the Szavanna Trail: a trail race that needs no long preparation on hilly ground, yet still sets a clear task, which is to run one long climb evenly and then stay loose and quick on the descent. Timing is by chip, with results available as soon as you cross the line.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.3 | 2.9 km | 3.3 % | 9.3 % | +94 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 Szavanna Trail.
Start under control
Effort follows the terrain here: the first half costs, the second half pays back. Climb at a pace you can hold all the way to the high point just after three kilometres without your breathing tipping over. Because the average gradient is moderate, it tempts you to go out too fast in the first few hundred metres, and the steeper pitches higher up punish exactly that.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided where the climb turns into the descent. If you crest with something left, you can run the two and a half kilometres downhill hard and gain more time there than a forced climb ever buys you.
Spend what is left
The classic trap is reaching the top completely empty and then merely jogging the descent instead of racing it.
Training plan for Szavanna Trail: 12-week build
Build the base
Most recreational runners will take roughly 35 to 55 minutes. The effort is mainly aerobic: first a long, steady push uphill, then a second half that asks more of your muscles and coordination than of your heart and lungs.
Train race pace
The decisive moment is the switch from climbing to descending, and that sequence can be trained directly. Run 15 to 20 minutes briskly but under control up a long, moderate incline, then roll straight into a quick descent without stopping at the top. Once or twice a week is enough to sharpen your feel for the right climbing pace.
Rehearse the course
Fast downhill running is a skill in its own right. Add a few relaxed but quick descents to your regular runs; they get your quads used to the braking load and make you surer on your feet, especially on unpaved ground.
Arrive fresh
With the race in early August, it makes sense to do some of your training runs in the heat. Drink enough before the start so that you can run the best part of an hour without a stop.
Courses
Download the Szavanna Trail course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Szavanna Trail 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 Szavanna Trail.
How long is Szavanna Trail?
Szavanna Trail is 5.7 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 Szavanna Trail have?
Szavanna Trail has around 100 m of elevation gain over 5.7 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Szavanna Trail?
Szavanna Trail is classified as Rolling, averaging 17.5 vertical metres per kilometre. 6% of the route is flat, 47% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 4% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Szavanna Trail have?
The hardest climb of Szavanna Trail starts at kilometre 0.3, runs for 2.9 km at an average of 3.3% and gains 94 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4.
Is Szavanna Trail a loop course?
Yes, Szavanna Trail is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Szavanna Trail course?
Yes. The Szavanna 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 Szavanna Trail?
Preparation for Szavanna Trail should account for 5.7 km, 100 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 Szavanna Trail?
The pacing strategy for Szavanna Trail should reflect 5.7 km, 100 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 Szavanna Trail 2027 take place?
Szavanna Trail 2027 takes place on August 8, 2027.
Where does Szavanna Trail 2027 take place?
Szavanna Trail 2027 takes place in Pákozd, Hungary.
Which distances does Szavanna Trail offer?
Szavanna Trail offers 4 distances — Szavanna 6: 5.7 km; Szavanna 10: 10.4 km; Szavanna 23: 22.8 km; Szavanna 46: 46 km.
How do I register for Szavanna Trail?
Registration runs through the organiser: trailrun.hu. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
