Veitscher Skytrail.
The Vertical Race at the Veitscher Skytrail goes one way only: from the Brunnalm up into the summit area of the Hohe Veitsch, close to 900 metres of climbing in 3.7 kilometres. It is run the day before the other races, and it comes down to a single question: which climbing rhythm you can hold from the bottom to the top.
Veitscher Skytrail 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The first few hundred metres from the start at a little over 1,060 metres rise only gently. After that the ground turns steep and stays steep to the line: more than nine tenths of the course sits in steep terrain, with the trail climbing at around 25 percent on average. There is no flat stretch to recover on, and the course practically never goes downhill.
Two sections bite harder still. Just after the first kilometre, and again just after the second, you gain more than 100 metres in under 300 metres of distance, with individual pitches that get extremely steep. The final kilometre settles into a more even gradient before you reach the summit area at almost 1,960 metres.
The finish sits high above Sankt Barbara im Mürztal. The Speed Trail and the Skyrace reach roughly the same altitude the next day, but they get there by longer routes and then have to come back down. The Vertical takes the direct line and stops at the top, which makes it the most compact race of the festival and the only one where descending plays no part.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0 | 3.6 km | 25 % | 54.2 % | +899 m | HC |
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 Veitscher Skytrail.
Start under control
Over 3.7 kilometres and nearly 900 metres of ascent, the watch measures height rather than distance. Go by breathing and cadence, not by the runner in front. The gentler first minutes tempt you to gain places, and that is exactly where you pay for the rest of the climb.
Hold your rhythm
The two especially steep sections, just after the first and just after the second kilometre, decide the race. Trying to run where a fast power hike with hands on thighs is just as quick means overreaching, and you lose more time afterwards than you gained. Plan the switch between running and hiking deliberately and keep the effort on those ramps only slightly above what you held before them.
Spend what is left
The last kilometre is a little more even and is where you can still lift the pace. With something left in reserve you take places there; if the ramps emptied you, it is precisely this easier stretch where you slow down.
Training plan for Veitscher Skytrail: 12-week build
Build the base
Depending on fitness, expect roughly 45 to 80 minutes of effort. It is a continuous, almost uniform load around threshold with no pauses and no descending, closer to a long uphill sprint than to a trail race.
Train race pace
So the first thing to build is sustained power on steep ground: intervals of 8 to 20 minutes on a slope of 20 to 30 percent, alternating running and fast hiking. Steep stairs or a treadmill at maximum incline will do if there is no such hill nearby. Use those sessions to find the stride length and upper-body work that cost you least.
Rehearse the course
Strength matters on the two steepest sections. Calves, quads and glutes respond to step-ups, uphill lunges and single-leg work, twice a week over several months.
Arrive fresh
The finish is at almost 1,960 metres, around 900 metres above the start. For most runners that is no altitude that needs specific acclimatisation. Remember, though, that the race ends at the top while the way back down to the valley is still ahead of you, and plan clothing and food for it.
Courses
Download the Veitscher Skytrail course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Veitscher Skytrail 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 Veitscher Skytrail.
How long is Veitscher Skytrail?
Veitscher Skytrail is 3.7 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 Veitscher Skytrail have?
Veitscher Skytrail has around 904 m of elevation gain over 3.7 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Veitscher Skytrail?
Veitscher Skytrail is classified as Mountainous, averaging 251.1 vertical metres per kilometre. 0% of the route is flat, 5% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 92% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Veitscher Skytrail have?
The hardest climb of Veitscher Skytrail starts at kilometre 0, runs for 3.6 km at an average of 25% and gains 899 metres. Cycling-convention rating: HC.
Is Veitscher Skytrail a loop course?
No, Veitscher Skytrail is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Veitscher Skytrail course?
Yes. The Veitscher Skytrail 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 Veitscher Skytrail?
Preparation for Veitscher Skytrail should account for 3.7 km, 904 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 Veitscher Skytrail?
The pacing strategy for Veitscher Skytrail should reflect 3.7 km, 904 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 Veitscher Skytrail take place?
Veitscher Skytrail takes place on July 2, 2027.
Where does Veitscher Skytrail take place?
Veitscher Skytrail takes place in Sankt Barbara im Mürztal, Austria.
Which distances does Veitscher Skytrail offer?
Veitscher Skytrail offers 5 distances — Vertical Race: 3.7 km; Easy Trail: 7.74 km; Speed Trail: 16.59 km; Skyrace: 20.32 km; Marathon Trail: 54 km.
How do I register for Veitscher Skytrail?
Registration runs through the organiser: veitscherskytrail.run. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
