BULGARIE · Blagoevgrad Province
Pirin Ultra 160km: Bulgaria's GPS-Only Hardrock Qualifier, Measured
Distance
160 km
Date
Droit d’inscription
98 EUR
€ / km
€0.61
Bulgaria’s wildest trail run: big vert, high technicality and long, 2000M altitude traverses in Pirin National Park.
Pirin Ultra 160 km is a Hardrock 100 qualifier and UTMB World Series (100M) race held in September in the Pirin National Park, Bulgaria, starting from Bansko at 05:00 on Friday September 11, 2026. The course covers 160 km with 11,000 m of gain (68.75 m/km) across fully unmarked high-alpine terrain — runners navigate by GPS only, with no race markings anywhere on the course. The opening 14 km climbs 1,673 m from Bansko — the 15th largest single ascent of 385 measured races in the DTR database. The defining mid-race descent drops 1,668 m over 12.75 km at km 50 — the 11th largest single descent drop of 386 measured races. Just 9.7% of the course is flat; 19.35 km runs at 20%+ gradient. Entry costs €0.61/km (€98 until July 24; €118 late). A minimum of 4 ITRA points is required to register; the race awards 12 ITRA points. Sofia Airport (SOF) is approximately 132 minutes by road. Now in its 10th running (founded 2016), the race had 87 confirmed finishers in 2024 across a 50-hour cutoff. It suits highly experienced alpine ultra runners with strong navigation skills, technical mountain experience, and a tolerance for remote, unmarked terrain.
Élévation et Terrain
Mètres totaux
11,000m
D+/KM
68.8m/km
Pour référence, le Tor des Géants 330 km a 73 D+/km.
Pente montante moyenne
14.8%
Pente descendante moyenne
-15.3%
Distribution du gradient de montée
| 2–5% | 11.6 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 17.1 km | |
| 10–15% | 14.8 km | |
| 15–20% | 10.2 km | |
| 20%+ | 19.4 km |
Profil de parcours
AnalysedDétail du terrain
| 46% | Montée |
|---|---|
| 9.7% | Plat |
| 44.3% | Descente |
Terrain
Ascensions
Principales montées
| 1 | 14 km · 1673 m gain starts km 0 · avg 12% · max 66.9% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 9.8 km · 1422 m gain starts km 24 · avg 14.5% · max 71.9% |
| 3 | 8.3 km · 1386 m gain starts km 100 · avg 16.6% · max 48.8% |
Principales descentes
| 1 | 12.8 km · 1668 m drop starts km 51 · avg -13.1% · max -58.4% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 13 km · 1210 m drop starts km 14 · avg -9.3% · max -50.5% |
| 3 | 8.4 km · 1148 m drop starts km 91 · avg -14% · max -41.1% |
Pirin Ultra 160km: Bulgaria's GPS-Only Hardrock Qualifier, Measured
Pirin Ultra is a 160-kilometre trail race held in September in Pirin National Park, Blagoevgrad Province, Bulgaria.
The course gains 11,000 metres of elevation — 68.75 metres per kilometre — placing it among the most elevation-dense 160km events in Europe. Entry costs €98 standard (€0.61 per kilometre), which for a race of its seriousness, is remarkably affordable.
The route is entirely unmarked. Runners carry the official GPX file and navigate across the high Pirin mountains, summiting Vihren (2,914m) and traversing exposed limestone ridges between Bansko and a chain of remote alpine huts.
The most dangerous section — km 45–55 — crosses marble ridge terrain with no water, no marking, and proximity to vertical rock walls, often in darkness for mid-pack runners. A 50-hour cutoff guarantees all finishers experience at least one full night on high-altitude terrain. Just 9.7% of the course is flat: the 160km is effectively split in half between climbing and descending.
Bansko is the start and finish; Sofia airport (SOF) is approximately 2 hours 12 minutes away. First held in 2016, Pirin Ultra is a UTMB 100M qualifier and a Hardrock 100 qualifier. With 87 confirmed finishers in 2024, it is recommended for highly experienced mountain runners who are looking for a wild experience - equally comfortable with autonomous navigation and sustained exposure.
How Hard Is the Pirin Ultra 160km? (Top-15 Climb, Top-15 Descent, and What That Means)▼
Q: How hard is the Pirin Ultra 160km? A: Exceptionally hard, even by European ultra standards. The opening 14km climbs 1,673m from Bansko — the 15th largest single ascent of 385 measured races in the DTR database. A 1,668m descent at km 50 is the 11th largest single descent drop of 386 measured races. 19.35km of the course exceeds 20% gradient; just 9.7% is flat. The course is completely unmarked — GPS navigation only. The race has a 50-hour cutoff; 87 runners finished in 2024. A minimum of 4 ITRA points is required to enter.
Course Profile — No Markings, 11,000m of Gain, and the km 45 Danger Zone▼
Q: Is the Pirin Ultra a Hardrock 100 qualifier? A: Yes. The Pirin Ultra 160km is a confirmed Hardrock 100 qualifier. It also awards 12 ITRA points (Mountain Level 12 / Finisher Level 10) and is part of the UTMB World Series at the 100M classification. Entry requires a minimum of 4 ITRA points.
€0.61/km for a Hardrock Qualifier: the Pirin Ultra's Credentials and Cost▼
Q: What does GPS-only navigation mean at the Pirin Ultra? A: The course has zero trail markings. Runners must download the official GPX file and carry a GPS device capable of navigating it independently. This applies to 160km of high-alpine terrain, including the km 45–55 Pirin Peak section — remote, heavily exposed, no water, scree, marble ridges, and proximity to vertical rock faces — navigated largely at night.
GPS Navigation Only: What Self-Navigation Actually Demands at Pirin Ultra▼
Q: How much does the Pirin Ultra 160km cost? A: €98 until July 24, 2026; €118 for late registration. At €0.61/km, it is among the most affordable Hardrock qualifiers and 12-ITRA-point races in the DTR database. A mandatory pre-race medical examination is required; runners deemed unfit receive a 100% refund.
Fichiers de course
Logistique
Aéroport le plus proche
Sofia (SOF)
Notes
Start: ~2–2.5 hrs by car/bus to Bansko / Public transport: frequent buses Sofia→Bansko; easy town access on foot / Accommodation: strong hotel/apartment supply in Bansko; book early for peak weekends
