LETTONIE · Vidzeme (Gauja National Park)
Gauja Trail by UTMB 86km: Latvia's Baltic Forest Race, Measured
Informations clés
Distance
86 km
Date
Droit d’inscription
149 EUR
€ / km
€1.73
UTMB Latvia: Gauja valley singletrack, river gorges, and a Baltic forest race with big-brand polish.
Gauja Trail by UTMB 86 km is a trail race held on August 1–2, 2026, in Gauja National Park, Vidzeme region, Latvia — part of the official UTMB World Series circuit. The course covers 86 km with 2,000 m of gain (23.3 m/km) through Baltic pine forest, sandstone gorges, riverside trails, and past medieval castle ruins in the Gauja river valley. This is one of the flattest major ultras in the DTR database: 47.6% of the course is flat terrain, with the biggest single climb rising just 76 m. The race demands sustained aerobic running rather than technical mountain skills. Entry costs €149 standard (€1.73/km) — note the UTMB registration platform adds €11.92 per participant (~€161 effective). Riga (RIX) airport is approximately 114 minutes by road; direct trains from Riga to Sigulda and Cēsis make this unusually accessible by public transport. Launched in 2020 and now a UTMB World Series qualifier for UTMB Mont-Blanc, drawing approximately 195 finishers in 2024. It suits endurance-focused trail runners who want UTMB qualifying points in a summer forest setting without the technical hazards of alpine terrain.
Élévation et Terrain
Mètres totaux
2,000m
D+/KM
23.3m/km
Pour référence, le Tor des Géants 330 km a 73 D+/km.
Pente montante moyenne
7.9%
Pente descendante moyenne
-7.9%
Distribution du gradient de montée
| 2–5% | 9.6 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 7.4 km | |
| 10–15% | 2.6 km | |
| 15–20% | 1.6 km | |
| 20%+ | 1.3 km |
Profil de parcours
AnalysedDétail du terrain
| 26.3% | Montée |
|---|---|
| 47.6% | Plat |
| 26.1% | Descente |
Terrain
Ascensions
Principales montées
| Rank | Length | Elevation gain | Start km | Average gradient | Max gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.4 km · 76 m gain starts km 17 · avg 5.3% · max 21.7% | ||||
| 2 | 3.7 km · 76 m gain starts km 4 · avg 2% · max 23.1% | ||||
| 3 | 1.7 km · 72 m gain starts km 80 · avg 4.2% · max 18.7% |
Principales descentes
| Rank | Length | Elevation drop | Start km | Average gradient | Max gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.4 km · 79 m drop starts km 0 · avg -5.7% · max -19.9% | ||||
| 2 | 0.4 km · 77 m drop starts km 20 · avg -21.4% · max -31.6% | ||||
| 3 | 0.4 km · 73 m drop starts km 10 · avg -19% · max -27.4% |
Gauja Trail by UTMB 86km: Latvia's Baltic Forest Race, Measured
Why the Gauja Trail 86km Is One of Europe's Flattest Ultras (47.6% Flat Terrain, 76m Biggest Climb)▼
Q: How hard is the Gauja Trail by UTMB 86km? A: Physically demanding in the way any 86km race is, but not technically difficult. The course is 47.6% flat, the biggest single climb rises just 76m, and there is no alpine terrain. The challenge is aerobic — sustained running effort through forest for 10–15 hours. Runners who struggle with technical descents or altitude will find this far more manageable than most European ultras of similar distance.
Course Profile — Forest Singletrack, Sandstone Gorges, and 86km of Sustained Running▼
Q: Is the Gauja Trail by UTMB a UTMB qualifier? A: Yes. The 86km is an official UTMB World Series event, awarding UTMB Mont-Blanc qualifying points. It is one of the Baltic region's primary entry points to the UTMB qualification system.
UTMB Qualifying Points in Latvia: What the €161 Entry Actually Gets You▼
Q: How much does it cost to enter the Gauja Trail by UTMB 86km? A: €149 standard entry — €1.73 per kilometre. Note that the UTMB registration platform adds €11.92 per participant on top, bringing the effective cost to approximately €161. This is standard for UTMB series events.
Getting There: Riga, Sigulda, and the Easiest Airport-to-Start in the DTR Database▼
Q: When does the 2026 Gauja Trail by UTMB 86km take place? A: August 1–2, 2026. The 86km starts on August 1.
Fichiers de course
Logistique
Aéroport le plus proche
Riga (RIX)
Notes
Start: ~1–2 hrs by car or train to Sigulda Cēsis Līgatne (host towns; start varies by distance; TODO: verify 86K start town) / Public transport: easy trains and buses from Riga to Sigulda Cēsis Līgatne; race shuttles offered for some starts (100K per race info; TODO: verify for 86K) / Accommodation: good in Sigulda and Cēsis; limited in small villages; book early
