The Big Schloss.
The Big Schloss is a single clockwise loop around Trout Run Valley: a little over 53 kilometres of single track, forest roads and dirt roads, with entry capped at 60 runners. Its hardest ground comes late, so that is what you prepare for: moving well up steep slopes with most of a long day already in your legs.
The Big Schloss 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are at Trout Pond, by Picnic Pavilion A, and the loop closes around the valley between them. Single track, forest roads and dirt roads take turns underfoot, and only about six percent of the distance is truly level. The first ten kilometres roll between just over 500 and 630 metres before the trail drops to the day's low point, under 460 metres. It is already rising again when the first aid station arrives at Bucktail Trail Head, at km 13.
The first big climb starts at km 17 and gains over 300 metres in three and a half kilometres. It carries on up to just above 900 metres, the highest point of the loop. A descent of around seven kilometres then takes you back below 500 metres, and at the bottom waits the longest climb of the day: a little over four kilometres and around 400 metres, with Stony Creek Trail Head, the second aid station at km 30, on its lower part.
After that the course stays high and restless. About two thirds of the loop are done when the ascent to the Big Schloss arrives, the section with the panoramic views that gives the race its name. Around Wolf Gap, the third aid station at km 40, comes the steepest ground of the day, just over a kilometre averaging 17 percent. One more rise leads to almost 890 metres before the loop falls away over the final kilometres to Trout Pond.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.5 | 1.3 km | 6.5 % | 14.1 % | +84 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 6.4 | 1.7 km | 4.6 % | 14.8 % | +80 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 12.5 | 2.7 km | 7 % | 17 % | +184 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 17.2 | 3.6 km | 9 % | 19.7 % | +326 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 28.7 | 4.3 km | 9.6 % | 21.6 % | +408 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 37.8 | 0.7 km | 8.8 % | 18.1 % | +57 m | — |
| km 39.1 | 1.1 km | 17 % | 26.6 % | +187 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 42.9 | 1.9 km | 5 % | 12.1 % | +92 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 The Big Schloss.
Start under control
Pace is the wrong currency on this loop, since it almost never runs level and you will end up walking most of the real climbs. Steer by effort instead. The rolling ground up to km 17 is the approach: run it so easily that the first big climb feels like the start of the day.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided from Stony Creek onward. The longest climb, the 17 percent ramp and the way up to the Big Schloss all sit close together in the back part of the loop, and from Wolf Gap nearly 14 kilometres remain without another aid station. Getting through this stretch with a strong, even hike, and being able to run again at the top, is worth more than anything gained earlier.
Spend what is left
The trap is the long descent from the highest point. It feels like free time, but letting it run delivers you to the bottom with hard quads and the toughest section still ahead. Stay controlled there, and leave Bucktail well stocked: Stony Creek is 17 kilometres further on, with all of that first major climb and descent in between.
Training plan for The Big Schloss: 12-week build
Build the base
As an age-group athlete, expect about seven to ten and a half hours. It is a long aerobic day but not a steady one: over 90 percent of the distance climbs or drops noticeably, so running and hiking alternate constantly and the load keeps shifting between muscles. That makes long trail runs the foundation, rather than long sessions on flat ground.
Train race pace
Your key session is the long run with the hardest part at the end. Put the steepest ground of your training route into the final hours and practise what race day asks for from Stony Creek onward: several climbs in a row at an even hike, then straight back into a run. As standalone work, that translates to repeats of four to five minutes on steep slopes plus longer hill intervals of 20 to 30 minutes.
Rehearse the course
Downhill running needs its own place in the plan. Nearly every metre gained is lost again, and the long descent around halfway asks a lot of your quads before the closing kilometres drop once more. Build repeated downhill stretches into tired sessions so your quads still hold for the final drop to Trout Pond.
Arrive fresh
The mix of single track, forest roads and dirt roads calls for sure footing, so log as many kilometres off pavement as you can. Practise self-sufficiency too: between Bucktail and Stony Creek you rely on what you carry for a long time, and with 60 starters at most you can hardly count on a group elsewhere either. Test your pack and fuelling on the long sessions ahead of 25 September.
Courses
Download the The Big Schloss course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for The Big Schloss dynamically
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Everything about The Big Schloss.
How long is The Big Schloss?
The Big Schloss is 53.59 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 The Big Schloss have?
The Big Schloss has around 1,864 m of elevation gain over 53.59 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of The Big Schloss?
The Big Schloss is classified as Mountainous, averaging 35.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 6% of the route is flat, 29% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 18% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does The Big Schloss have?
The hardest climb of The Big Schloss starts at kilometre 28.7, runs for 4.3 km at an average of 9.6% and gains 408 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is The Big Schloss a loop course?
Yes, The Big Schloss is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the The Big Schloss course?
Yes. The The Big Schloss 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 The Big Schloss?
Preparation for The Big Schloss should account for 53.59 km, 1,864 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 The Big Schloss?
The pacing strategy for The Big Schloss should reflect 53.59 km, 1,864 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 The Big Schloss take place?
The Big Schloss takes place on September 25, 2027.
Where does The Big Schloss take place?
The Big Schloss takes place in Mathias, United States.
How do I register for The Big Schloss?
Registration runs through the organiser: new.vhtrc.org. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
