Hungary · Zala County
Distance
53 km
Date
Entry fee
HUF 20,000
€ / km
€0.98
VUT Vadlán Ultra Terep 53km: Hungary's Forest Grinder at the Keszthely Hills, Measured
VUT Vadlán Ultra Terep 53 km is a forest trail race held in October in Zala County, Hungary, in the Keszthely Hills near Lake Balaton. The course covers 53 km with 1,500 m of stated gain (28.3 m/km) — though GPX analysis suggests actual gain closer to 1,876 m (10m smoothed), a 25% discrepancy runners should factor into their preparation.
The terrain is 90% forest, gravel, and dirt track; 10% asphalt, with dark forest soil that becomes slippery when wet. The course tips toward descent: 40.2% of the distance is uphill, 37.7% downhill, and the defining drop arrives before km 9 — a 4.3 km section hitting −41.3% maximum gradient. The average downhill gradient of −10% ranks 127th steepest of 390 distances in the DTR database. Entry costs €0.98/km (20,000 HUF at the early price — the most accessible distance in the VUT lineup).
Budapest (BUD) is 137 minutes by road. First run in 2018 and part of the IAU Trail Label-certified VUT event, the 53km drew 56 finishers in 2025. It suits trail runners entering Hungarian ultra racing for the first time — a technically honest forest race at the accessible end of the VUT distance lineup.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
1,500m
D+/KM
28.3m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
9.3%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-10.0%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 6.9 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 7.0 km | |
| 10–15% | 4.1 km | |
| 15–20% | 2.0 km | |
| 20%+ | 1.4 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 40.2% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 22.1% | Flat |
| 37.7% | Downhill |
Terrain
VUT Vadlán Ultra Terep – 53 km 53km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 6.1 km · 244 m gain starts km 27 · avg 4.0% · max 28.8% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 1.7 km · 205 m gain starts km 15 · avg 12.0% · max 35.8% |
| 3 | 7.2 km · 153 m gain starts km 2 · avg 2.1% · max 21.5% |
Top descents
| 1 | 4.3 km · 291 m drop starts km 9 · avg -6.8% · max -41.3% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3.4 km · 194 m drop starts km 17 · avg -5.8% · max -32.9% |
| 3 | 6.2 km · 179 m drop starts km 37 · avg -3.0% · max -28.3% |
Why the VUT 53km Is Harder Than 1,500m Suggests
How hard is the VUT Vadlán Ultra Terep 53km?
▼
More demanding than its listed 1,500m elevation suggests. GPX analysis puts actual gain closer to 1,876m, and the average downhill gradient of −10.02% ranks steeper than ~67% of European trail races. The opening section includes a −41.3% maximum pitch descent before km 9, on dark forest soil that gets slippery after rain.
Is the Vadlan Ultra Terep 53km a UTMB or ITRA qualifier?
Is the Vadlan Ultra Terep 53km a UTMB or ITRA qualifier?▼
The 53km is not independently ITRA certified. It holds a historical UTMB Index listing under the old name 'Ultra Terep 50.' The event carries an IAU Trail Label (2025 edition). The 108km distance is the ITRA-certified primary distance.
How Much Does the Vadlán Ultra Terep 53km Cost to Enter
How much does the VUT 53km cost to enter?
▼
20,000 HUF (~€47) until June 30, 2026 — approximately €0.98/km, making it one of the most affordable 50km+ trail entries in Central Europe. Entry rises to 25,000 HUF (~€58) from July 1, 2026.
When does the 2026 VUT Vadlán Ultra Terep 53km take place?
When does the 2026 VUT Vadlán Ultra Terep 53km take place?▼
The VUT event runs October 2–4, 2026 in Cserszegtomaj, Zala County, Hungary. The exact 53km start time is not confirmed; the 108km starts at 06:00 on October 3. Confirm the 53km start time via the official site before booking travel.
Car Essential from Budapest: Getting to the VUT Vadlán Ultra 53km
When does the 2026 VUT 108km take place?
▼
October 3, 2026, with a 06:00 start from Kultúrház, Cserszegtomaj, Zala County, Hungary. The race center opens October 2 at 14:00 and closes October 4 at 01:00, giving an approximately 19-hour practical finish window.
VUT Vadlán Ultra Terep – 53 km 53km GPX
Getting to VUT Vadlán Ultra Terep – 53 km
Nearest airport
Budapest (BUD)
Notes
Start: ~1–1.75 hrs; venue is Cserszegtomaj (Vértes/Bakony region) / Public transport: trains/buses possible but last-mile often needs taxi; car easiest / Accommodation: limited near start; Budapest base possible
