Bulgaria · Blagoevgrad Province
Pirin Ultra
Distance
160 km
Date
September 10, 2026
Entry fee
98 EUR
€ / km
€0.61
Bulgaria’s wildest trail run: big vert, high technicality and long, 2000M altitude traverses in Pirin National Park.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
11000m
D+/KM
68.75m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
14.8%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-15.3%
Uphill gradient distribution
Route Profile
Analysed 2026-05-02Terrain breakdown
Terrain
Climbs
Top climbs
13.9 km · 1673 m gain
starts km 0 · avg 12.0% · max 66.9%
9.8 km · 1422 m gain
starts km 24 · avg 14.4% · max 71.9%
8.3 km · 1386 m gain
starts km 100 · avg 16.6% · max 48.8%
Top descents
12.8 km · 1668 m drop
starts km 51 · avg -13.1% · max -58.5%
13.0 km · 1210 m drop
starts km 14 · avg -9.3% · max -50.5%
8.4 km · 1148 m drop
starts km 91 · avg -14.0% · max -41.1%
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.
Race files
Logistics
Nearest airport
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
