Salomon Ultra Pirineu.
The SUP100k is the classic of Catalan ultra trail: 100 kilometres and about 6,600 metres of climbing around the Pedraforca, starting at half past five in the morning on the Plaça Porxada in Bagà. Four fifths of it is singletrack, the climb to the Niu de l'Àliga lifts you from 795 to 2,520 metres inside the first 16 kilometres – and eighty more still lie ahead.
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The course, elevation and route profile are from the most recent edition.
Salomon Ultra Pirineu: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The loop starts and finishes in the village of Bagà at the foot of the Serra del Cadí and runs entirely inside the Cadí-Moixeró natural park. The opening is uncompromising: from kilometre 1 the course climbs for 7.6 kilometres at an average above twelve per cent, and the second block follows without a break at 16.5 per cent up to the Niu de l'Àliga at 2,520 metres – the high point of the day, reached after only 16 kilometres.
After that the race breaks into long, self-contained chapters. A 1,500-metre descent to Serrat, the climb over the Cortals to Aguiló at 2,010 metres at kilometre 48, the long traverse to Gósol, and from kilometre 70 the circuit of the Pedraforca past the Estasen refuge side and Gresolet. The hardest climbs come last: kilometre 84 rises at 17.8 per cent, and kilometre 88.7 at over twenty per cent to Sant Jordi, before 1,150 metres of descent drop back into Bagà.
The numbers tell only half of it. This is narrow mountain path in the heart of a natural park, with the Pedraforca's distinctive double summit as a constant reference, ten aid stations and a cut-off that does not fall until eight on Sunday morning. The course records – Kilian Jornet's 10:25 in 2021 and Núria Picas's 12:12 in 2022 – give a sense of how far apart the two ends of this field are.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1 | 7.6 km | 12.3 % | 36.7 % | +937 m | HC |
| km 9.5 | 4.7 km | 16.5 % | 36.9 % | +769 m | Cat. 1 |
| km 39.1 | 2.6 km | 12.9 % | 36 % | +340 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 47.1 | 2.2 km | 19.1 % | 36.5 % | +421 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 72.6 | 2 km | 17.7 % | 29.8 % | +358 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 82.4 | 1.9 km | 12 % | 39.9 % | +226 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 84.4 | 2.5 km | 17.8 % | 35.8 % | +449 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 88.7 | 0.9 km | 20.6 % | 41.6 % | +185 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 Salomon Ultra Pirineu.
Start under control
The first mistake is made in the opening sixteen kilometres. Bagà to the Niu de l'Àliga is over 2,000 metres of climbing, and because the legs are fresh and the field still dense, many run that block far too fast. Treat it deliberately as hiking work: a steady conversational effort, poles from the start, and ignore the watch.
Hold your rhythm
But the SUP100k is decided much later, in the section between kilometres 70 and 90. After the Pedraforca traverse, kilometres 84 and 88.7 bring two short, brutally steep climbs at 17.8 and over twenty per cent – after thirteen hours or more on your feet. Pace it sensibly to Gósol and eat consistently, and you can still climb there; do neither and you will spend hours on them.
Spend what is left
The biggest trap, though, is the descending. With over 30 per cent of the course in the steep downhill band and a 1,500-metre descent as early as kilometre 31, unprepared quads end the race long before the legs give out. Brake under control early, even when it feels too slow. And plan the night section: much of the field is still between Gósol and the Aula de Natura when darkness falls.
Training plan for Salomon Ultra Pirineu: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect 12 to 22 hours as an age-group runner; the cut-off is 26.5 hours. The demand is a very long, largely aerobic alternation of climbing and descending in which barely five per cent of the course is flat. Almost thirty per cent sits in the steep uphill band and over thirty in the steep downhill one – there is less running here than there is climbing and braking.
Train race pace
The first priority is climbing strength over long durations, ideally with poles: ascents of 800 to 1,200 metres in one go, several times a week in the build phase, and at least one block weekend with two long mountain days back to back. Without that accumulated fatigue in training, the late ramps are simply not runnable.
Rehearse the course
Technical descending matters just as much. More than 6,500 metres of descent on singletrack loads the quads eccentrically far more than any road race. Build long technical descents in deliberately, preferably at the end of a long run, and train your footing on loose, rooty ground rather than only on forest roads.
Arrive fresh
Two conditions remain. First altitude: much of the course sits between 1,500 and 2,500 metres, so if you live at sea level plan an altitude block or at least a longer arrival window. Second the night: practise running trails by headtorch, test the full mandatory kit in training, and rehearse your fuelling strategy over at least ten hours before you rely on it for twenty.
Courses
Download the Salomon Ultra Pirineu course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Salomon Ultra Pirineu.
How long is Salomon Ultra Pirineu?
Salomon Ultra Pirineu is 100 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 Salomon Ultra Pirineu have?
Salomon Ultra Pirineu has around 6,600 m of elevation gain over 100 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Salomon Ultra Pirineu?
Salomon Ultra Pirineu is classified as Mountainous, averaging 57.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 5% of the route is flat, 17% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 29% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Salomon Ultra Pirineu have?
The hardest climb of Salomon Ultra Pirineu starts at kilometre 1, runs for 7.6 km at an average of 12.3% and gains 937 metres. Cycling-convention rating: HC. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Salomon Ultra Pirineu a loop course?
Yes, Salomon Ultra Pirineu is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Salomon Ultra Pirineu course?
Yes. The Salomon Ultra Pirineu 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 Salomon Ultra Pirineu?
Preparation for Salomon Ultra Pirineu should account for 100 km, 6,600 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 Salomon Ultra Pirineu?
The pacing strategy for Salomon Ultra Pirineu should reflect 100 km, 6,600 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 Salomon Ultra Pirineu next take place?
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The most recent one was held on October 3, 2026.
Where does Salomon Ultra Pirineu take place?
Salomon Ultra Pirineu takes place in Bagà, Spain.
Which distances does Salomon Ultra Pirineu offer?
Salomon Ultra Pirineu offers 4 distances — SUP100k: 100 km; SMP42k: 42 km (Marathon); SMP21k: 21 km (Half marathon); La Molina Nit Pirineu KV: 5 km.
How do I register for Salomon Ultra Pirineu?
Registration runs through the organiser: ultrapirineu.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
