Wörthersee Gravel Race: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The 150-kilometre Beat Gralf is the long distance of the Wörthersee Gravel Race: 1,644 metres of climbing on rolling gravel around the lake, with nearly half the course flat. Endurance, tyre choice and a handful of hard gravel climbs shape the day more than pure climbing power.
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The course, elevation and route profile above are from the most recent edition.
Course & Elevation
Beat Gralf, the 150-kilometre course of the Wörthersee Gravel Race, is the UCI Gravel World Series event in Velden am Wörthersee, Austria, and a qualifier for the UCI Gravel World Championships. The loop explores Carinthia's Wörthersee-Rosental region, trading lake views for Alpine panoramas on varied gravel roads and farm tracks.
The profile is rolling rather than alpine: about 1,680 metres of climbing spread across many short ascents, roughly eleven vertical metres per kilometre. A 1.3-kilometre ramp at 6.7 percent splits the field as early as kilometre 2.5. The toughest section arrives at kilometre 26.5, where the course climbs for 1.8 kilometres at an average of 7.9 percent with pitches up to 14.5 percent. The same climb returns at kilometre 98, and two short stingers at kilometres 139 and 142 guard the run back into Velden.
Almost half of the distance is flat, so group riding and sustained power matter as much as climbing legs. With elite and age-group classifications, a field of up to 1,000 riders and World Series status, this is the most competitive distance of the weekend.
Pacing Strategy
On this long, rolling gravel loop nearly half the distance is flat, and the vert comes in single category-4 climbs rather than long passes. The first hard climb waits already at kilometre 2.5.
But the decisive ones are the two identical 142-metre ascents at kilometre 26.5 and 97.9 at just under eight percent: the second hits you with kilometres already in the legs. That's where the race is selected.
The classic gravel trap is taking the early ramps standing in a big gear and losing traction; stay seated and pedal smoothly. Because the surface rolls and drags, steady power costs less than constant surges. Ride the flat sections consistently and in groups. Eat and drink early and regularly across the full distance so you can still ride that second big climb.
Training plan for Wörthersee Gravel Race: 12-week build
Plan on five to seven hours of riding for the 150 kilometres and roughly 1,680 metres of climbing, depending on your level. The effort is fundamentally aerobic but constantly punctured by short, hard spikes: hardly any climb is longer than two kilometres, yet ramps above ten percent repeatedly push you over threshold, especially if you want to hold a group.
Three sections decide the race: the steep climb at kilometre 26.5 with pitches up to 14.5 percent, its second passage at kilometre 98, and the two stingers at kilometres 139 and 142 that arrive deep into the day. Add the high flat share of about 46 percent, where riding alone into the wind costs more time than any climb.
Your preparation should therefore combine long endurance rides of four to six hours, ideally with plenty of gravel to dial in handling, tyre choice and equipment, with threshold and tempo intervals for the flat sections. Short hill repeats of three to five minutes, placed at the end of long sessions, mimic the late ramps on tired legs. Because the race falls in April, most of this base has to be built through the winter, indoors or out. Finally, rehearse your fuelling routine on every long ride; over five-plus hours, eating and drinking consistently is as decisive as fitness.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 2.5 | 1.3 km | 6.7% | 11.8% | +88m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 4.7 | 0.8 km | 3.8% | 5.5% | +32m | — |
| KM 26.5 | 1.8 km | 7.9% | 14.5% | +142m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 67.5 | 1.3 km | 5.9% | 10.8% | +78m | — |
| KM 70.8 | 0.7 km | 6.0% | 13.8% | +40m | — |
| KM 97.9 | 1.8 km | 7.9% | 14.2% | +142m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 138.8 | 1.4 km | 5.7% | 10.9% | +78m | — |
| KM 142.2 | 0.7 km | 6.2% | 13.9% | +40m | — |
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.
Course as GPX
Download the Beat Gralf 150 km course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Wörthersee Gravel Race 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.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Wörthersee Gravel Race?
Wörthersee Gravel Race is 149.93 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 Wörthersee Gravel Race have?
Wörthersee Gravel Race has around 1,680 m of elevation gain over 149.93 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Wörthersee Gravel Race?
Wörthersee Gravel Race is classified as Rolling, averaging 11 vertical metres per kilometre. 46% of the route is flat, 25% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 3% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Wörthersee Gravel Race have?
The hardest climb of Wörthersee Gravel Race starts at kilometre 26.5, runs for 1.8 km at an average of 7.9% and gains 142 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Wörthersee Gravel Race a loop course?
Yes, Wörthersee Gravel Race is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
How should I prepare for Wörthersee Gravel Race?
Preparation for Wörthersee Gravel Race should account for 149.93 km, 1,680 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 Wörthersee Gravel Race?
The pacing strategy for Wörthersee Gravel Race should reflect 149.93 km, 1,680 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 Wörthersee Gravel Race next take place?
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The most recent one was held on April 12, 2026.
Where does Wörthersee Gravel Race take place?
Wörthersee Gravel Race takes place in Velden am Wörthersee, Austria.
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