BULGARIE · Smolyan Province (Rhodope)
DECATHLON Yagodina Cave Ultra: 95km Through the Rhodope Mountains, Measured
Distance
95 km
Date
Droit d’inscription
65 EUR
€ / km
€0.68
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Mythic Rhodope forests and caves: deep wilderness trails with big vert and village hospitality.
The DECATHLON Yagodina Cave Ultra is a 95km ITRA-certified mountain ultra based in Shiroka Laka, Smolyan Province, in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria. The course gains 4,780m D+ over 95km (50.3 m/km) -- elevation density in the same class as UTMB -- with a 24-hour time limit and an early-morning start that places the most technical terrain in darkness. Part of the DECATHLON Thracian Ultra event family and a UTMB Index race, the 95km carries 4 ITRA points at Mountain Level 6, Finisher Level 390. At 11.0% distance-weighted average uphill gradient with only 13.1% flat terrain, the course is relentlessly demanding: 44.0% uphill, 42.8% downhill, and almost no recovery terrain. The race opens at km 0.03 with a 583m climb at 19.8% average gradient -- before most runners have warmed up -- peaking at Perelik (1,980m) by km 11. The descent from Perelik drops 839m over 5.94km at -14.1% average gradient, one of the most sustained technical descents in the DTR database for a race of this length. The Rhodope Mountains are among the most biodiverse and historically rich ranges in southeastern Europe. The course threads through ancient beech and pine forests, near the Yagodina Cave system -- one of Bulgaria's deepest -- and through Rhodope villages including Shiroka Laka, Mugla, Govren, and Trigrad. Mandatory kit includes a bear bell: brown bears are active in the area. Entry costs 65 EUR (0.68 EUR/km) and the race does not sell out. For runners targeting a serious ITRA qualifier with UTMB-level elevation density in one of Europe's most underrated mountain ranges, the Yagodina Cave Ultra is a standout option.
Élévation et Terrain
Mètres totaux
4,780m
D+/KM
50.3m/km
Pour référence, le Tor des Géants 330 km a 73 D+/km.
Pente montante moyenne
11%
Pente descendante moyenne
-11.4%
Distribution du gradient de montée
| 2–5% | 8.9 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 13.6 km | |
| 10–15% | 9.6 km | |
| 15–20% | 5.1 km | |
| 20%+ | 4.5 km |
Profil de parcours
AnalysedDétail du terrain
| 44% | Montée |
|---|---|
| 13.1% | Plat |
| 42.8% | Descente |
Terrain
Ascensions
Principales montées
| 1 | 6 km · 611 m gain starts km 5 · avg 10.1% · max 39.7% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 5.3 km · 609 m gain starts km 43 · avg 11.4% · max 34.5% |
| 3 | 2.9 km · 583 m gain starts km 0 · avg 19.8% · max 75.1% |
Principales descentes
| 1 | 5.9 km · 839 m drop starts km 17 · avg -14.1% · max -31% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 7.3 km · 685 m drop starts km 35 · avg -9.4% · max -35.3% |
| 3 | 3.5 km · 510 m drop starts km 48 · avg -15% · max -45.9% |
DECATHLON Yagodina Cave Ultra: 95km Through the Rhodope Mountains, Measured
50 m/km in Bulgaria -- Why Yagodina Cave Ultra's Numbers Deserve Attention▼
Q: What is the DECATHLON Yagodina Cave Ultra? A: The DECATHLON Yagodina Cave Ultra is a 95km ITRA-certified mountain ultra held annually in late May in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria, starting and finishing in Shiroka Laka, Smolyan Province. The course gains 4,780m D+ with a 24-hour time limit. It is an ITRA 4-point race at Mountain Level 6 (Finisher Level 390) and a UTMB Index event. The race is part of the DECATHLON Thracian Ultra event family, which also includes a 50km Thracian Ultra, 21km Gela Run, and 12km Discovery Race.
Course Profile -- 583m at 19.8% From the Start, Perelik at km 11, and Almost No Flat▼
Q: How hard is the DECATHLON Yagodina Cave Ultra? A: Extremely demanding for its distance. The 95km course carries 50.3 m/km elevation density -- in the same category as UTGS 48km -- with 11.0% average uphill gradient, -11.4% average downhill gradient, and only 13.1% flat terrain. The race opens at km 0.03 with a 583m climb at 19.8% average gradient and reaches 1,980m at Perelik (km 11) before descending 839m at -14.1% average gradient -- all before the first quarter of the race. The 24-hour time limit and overnight duration add cold and navigation demands to the technical gradient profile.
0.68 EUR/km for an ITRA 4-Point Qualifier in the Rhodope Mountains▼
Q: Is the DECATHLON Yagodina Cave Ultra an ITRA qualifier? A: Yes. The 95km carries 4 ITRA points at Mountain Level 6, Finisher Level 390. It is also a UTMB Index event. With 4 ITRA points, it qualifies runners for UTMB events requiring points in the Ultra category and higher. ITRA points are awarded to finishers at the 95km distance.
Who Should Run the DECATHLON Yagodina Cave Ultra?▼
Q: How much does the DECATHLON Yagodina Cave Ultra cost -- and does it sell out? A: Entry is 65 EUR (0.68 EUR/km). The race does not sell out -- the 95km had approximately 77 registered runners for 2026 from a 300-person cap. Registration opens through ultramarathons.bg (Bulgarian Ultramarathons organisation). The race is held annually in late May; monitor the official site at thracian-ultra.com for next edition registration dates.
Fichiers de course
Logistique
Aéroport le plus proche
Plovdiv (PDV)
Notes
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