Top Dolomites Ultra Trail: Course, Elevation & Route Profile

Course & Elevation

The first 30 or so kilometres run through the night across the villages of Val Rendena: Pinzolo, Carisolo, Caderzone, Spiazzo, Giustino and Massimeno, on paths with short climbs and descents, past churches and historic sites. This section already packs in about 1,300 metres of ascent, and the race's lowest point, around 650 metres, lies here.

Then, still in the dark, comes the long climb to Malga Bandalors. From there the 102K follows the long-course line through the Brenta Dolomites, which the organiser routes along the 3Tre slope and past Lake Ritorto, Malga Zeledria, Lake Malghette and Lake Nambino, up to about 2,250 metres.

There are nine aid stations on the way, including one Life Base with a larger offer, plus the finish refreshments in Piazza San Giacomo. The time limit is 25 hours, so many runners are out through the whole of Saturday.

Pacing Strategy

The night in the valley is the part people prepare for least and the part where the race is most often lost. The sections between the villages are short and runnable, which tempts you into a fast headlamp pace; treat these 30 kilometres as a warm-up with 1,300 metres of climbing, not as racing.

The day that follows decides the race. As day breaks come the big climbs into the Brenta group, one of them above 2,200 metres, with a sleepless night in your legs. Runners who can still climb evenly, keep eating and use the Life Base as a genuine reset make it to the finish.

The biggest trap is sleep deprivation. The early-morning low and the afternoon dip slow you more than any gradient, and short, planned stops at the stations are better than an unplanned collapse.

Training plan for Top Dolomites Ultra Trail: 12-week build

Expect 17 to 25 hours. That means a long, low-aerobic effort with more than 5,000 metres of climbing and descent, a night without sleep and many hours of steep hiking. More than half the course is steep.

Preparation needs long mountain days of ten hours or more, back-to-back weekends and at least one training run that starts at night. That teaches you to move safely and economically on trails by headlamp and still climb big ascents after a night on your feet.

For over 5,000 metres of total descent, eccentric strength and downhill technique with a pack are decisive. Practise eating across a whole day as well, including solid food, since the aid stations serve food only to be eaten on the spot.

In early June the valley is cool at night and the high ground can be cold, while Val Rendena warms up in the afternoon. Test the mandatory kit, a change of clothes for the Life Base and your lighting set-up in full beforehand.