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 much does Pirin Ultra 160km cost? (Entry fee and €/km breakdown)
Q: How much does Pirin Ultra 160km cost to enter? A: Entry for the 2026 Pirin Ultra 160km is €98 standard (until 24 July 2026), rising to €118 after that — €0.61 per kilometre at the standard rate. This is low for a UTMB 100M and Hardrock 100 qualifier. Check current pricing at pirinultra.com/registration.
How hard is the Pirin Ultra 160km course? (Climbs, descents, gradient data)
Q: How difficult is the Pirin Ultra 160km? A: Pirin Ultra 160km is one of the most demanding races in Europe. It covers 160km with 11,000m of gain (68.75m per km). The course is run with zero marking — runners navigate independently via GPS. Just 9.7% of the terrain is flat; the 19th least flat of 390 European distances tracked. The 50-hour cutoff guarantees all finishers experience at least one full night on exposed alpine terrain.
What makes Pirin Ultra different from other European 160km races?
Q: Is Pirin Ultra a Hardrock 100 qualifier? A: Yes. Pirin Ultra 160km is a confirmed Hardrock 100 qualifier, as well as a UTMB World Series 100M classification race with 12 ITRA points. A minimum of 4 ITRA points is required to register.
How to get to Pirin Ultra from Sofia airport (transfer and logistics guide)
Q: Is Pirin Ultra marked or GPS-only? A: The course is completely unmarked. Runners must carry the official GPX file and navigate independently — there are no physical signs, ribbons, or trail markers anywhere on the 160km route. This is a rare differentiator in European ultra running and significantly increases the mental and technical demand.
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
