
The label “Easy Trail” is misleading: across 20 kilometres the WSUT20 racks up around 1,180 metres of climbing, and most of it is packed into a single wall. After two warm-up ascents, a Category 1 climb with ramps up to 41% begins at kilometre 9.5 – and the way down is every bit as steep.
The WSUT20 is the shorter course of the Weissensee Ungetüm, a small, familiar trail event at lake Weissensee in Carinthia, Austria. The loop starts and finishes at the valley station of the Techendorf mountain lifts and follows scenic mountain paths, idyllic alpine pastures and varied trails high above the lake. Officially the course measures 20 kilometres with around 1,400 metres of climbing, and the eight-hour time limit leaves generous margin even for hikers.
The opening is gentle: a 2.2-kilometre climb at 5 percent straight after the start and a second one at almost 9 percent gaining 303 metres from kilometre 5.3 warm up the legs. The centrepiece begins at kilometre 9.5 with the ascent of the Golz: 3.85 kilometres at an average of 18.5 percent, 712 metres of gain and ramps above 40 percent. More than half of the course's total climbing is packed into this single section.
From the high point the route drops almost continuously back to Techendorf, with nearly a quarter of the total distance descending steeply. Despite being billed as the easy trail, this loop is a genuine mountain race, just one that saves its monster until kilometre 9.5.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.2 | 2.2 km | 5 % | 7.3 % | +110 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 5.3 | 3.4 km | 8.9 % | 16.4 % | +303 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 9.5 | 3.9 km | 18.5 % | 41.3 % | +712 m | Cat. 1 |
| km 18.9 | 0.4 km | 6.2 % | 10.2 % | +23 m | — |
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.
The loop builds in three stages. A short opening rise at kilometre 0.2 and a longer Cat 3 at kilometre 5.3 (3.4 km at nearly 9%) bring you up to temperature without inviting a decision.
That comes on the climb from kilometre 9.5: 3.85 kilometres averaging 18.5% with spikes past 40% and 712 metres gained in one go – this is hiked, not run. Ration your effort so you reach that wall with intact legs.
After the summit at around kilometre 13 the profile flips: some seven kilometres of often very steep descending (nearly a quarter of the course drops sharply) back down to the Weissensee. The real trap isn't the climb but the transition – overcook the early ascents and you'll have no control left in your quads on the long, rough descent.

Depending on your level, plan on three to four and a half hours for the WSUT20; the generous eight-hour limit also allows a far more relaxed day out. The effort is mostly aerobic, with one striking exception: the Golz climb from kilometre 9.5, which splits the race into a before and an after.
The first nine kilometres are runnable terrain with two moderate climbs, ideal for settling into a sustainable rhythm. Then come 712 metres of gain over 3.85 kilometres at an average of 18.5 percent. That is hiking terrain almost throughout, where strong, rhythmic uphill walking decides your finishing time. Train power hiking specifically on steep slopes, ideally in repeats of 20 to 40 minutes, and rehearse switching into that hiking mode after a good hour of running.
What you gain on the climb can be lost on the way down: after the high point the course drops almost without interruption back to the lake, with nearly a quarter of the distance descending steeply. Practise technical downhill running on tired legs, for example by finishing long sessions with a committed descent. Supporting strength and stability work protects knees and ankles against the eccentric load.
As a framework, three to four runs per week with one long run of two to three hours over hilly terrain and 800 to 1,200 metres of weekly climbing in the final build are sufficient. Test fuelling and gear in a dress rehearsal on similarly steep ground.

Download the Weissensee Ungetüm course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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.
Weissensee Ungetüm is 20 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
Weissensee Ungetüm has around 1,400 m of elevation gain over 20 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
Weissensee Ungetüm is classified as Mountainous, averaging 52.2 vertical metres per kilometre. 9% of the route is flat, 26% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 23% is steeper than 6%.
The hardest climb of Weissensee Ungetüm starts at kilometre 9.5, runs for 3.9 km at an average of 18.5% and gains 712 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 1. 4 climbs are mapped in total.
Yes, Weissensee Ungetüm is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Yes. The Weissensee Ungetüm 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.
Preparation for Weissensee Ungetüm should account for 20 km, 1,400 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
The pacing strategy for Weissensee Ungetüm should reflect 20 km, 1,400 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
Weissensee Ungetüm 2027 takes place on September 18, 2027.
Weissensee Ungetüm 2027 takes place in Weißensee, Austria.
Weissensee Ungetüm offers 2 distances — WSUT20 – Easy Trail: 20 km; WSUT50 – Weissensee Ungetüm: 47 km.
Registration runs through the organiser: ungetuem.at. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.