Bulgaria · Blagoevgrad Province
Distance
68 km
Date
Entry fee
€78
€ / km
€1.15
Pirin Ultra 68km: The 4th Least Flat Trail Race in Europe
Pirin Ultra 68km is a former Skyrunner World Series trail race held in September in Pirin National Park, starting in Bansko, Bulgaria. The course covers 68 kilometres with 4,400 metres of elevation gain — a very spicy 64.7 metres per kilometre. Entry is €78 standard (€1.15 per kilometre), which makes it extremely affordable.
The pirin-ultra course is the 4th least flat trail race of 390 European distances tracked - barely 5 kilometres across the 68km distance is considered flat. The glutes and quads will burn on this one ladies and gentlemen. The race opens with a 14.8km, 1,580+ meter climb from Bansko (10.7% average gradient), crossing several ski slopes and traversing several high alpine summits. Among the summits is Vihren at 2,914m — the highest point in the Pirin range and the third-highest peak in Bulgaria. Take a look at the route profile - the course essentially consists of scaling three mountains, with the second major climb a real killer, averaging a 17.9% gradient
Bansko is the start and finish; Sofia airport (SOF) is 2 hours 12 minutes away. The race has run annually since 2016. It suits experienced trail athletes seeking a credentialed alpine challenge that doesn´t break the bank in Bulgaria's most demanding national park.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
4,400m
D+/KM
64.7m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
14.0%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-13.1%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 5.3 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 8.1 km | |
| 10–15% | 6.5 km | |
| 15–20% | 4.3 km | |
| 20%+ | 6.3 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 44.7% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 7.7% | Flat |
| 47.6% | Downhill |
Terrain
Pirin Ultra – 68 km 68km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 14.9 km · 1,584 m gain starts km 0 · avg 10.7% · max 59.0% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 7.9 km · 1,408 m gain starts km 27 · avg 17.9% · max 44.3% |
| 3 | 8.2 km · 988 m gain starts km 40 · avg 12.1% · max 62.8% |
Top descents
| 1 | 17.3 km · 1,586 m drop starts km 51 · avg -9.1% · max -91.9% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 8.9 km · 1,166 m drop starts km 18 · avg -13.0% · max -49.9% |
| 3 | 6.2 km · 1,045 m drop starts km 34 · avg -17.0% · max -61.8% |
How much does Pirin Ultra 68km cost to enter? (Entry fee and €/km breakdown)
How much does Pirin Ultra 68km cost to enter?▼
Entry for the 2026 Pirin Ultra 68km is €78 standard (until 24 July 2026), rising to €118 after that — €1.15 per kilometre at the standard rate. Check current pricing at pirinultra.com/registration.
How hard is the Pirin Ultra 68K course? (Climbs, descents, gradient data)
How difficult is the Pirin Ultra 68K?
▼
Very difficult for its distance. The 68km covers 4,400m of gain (64.7m per km) with just 7.7% flat terrain — the 4th least flat trail race of 390 European distances in the DTR database. The opening climb rises 1,584m over nearly 15km, and the course reaches Vihren at 2,914m — the highest peak in Pirin and the third-highest in Bulgaria.
Is Pirin Ultra 68km part of the Skyrunner World Series?
Is Pirin Ultra 68km part of the Skyrunner World Series?▼
Yes. The 68km distance (listed as 66K in some Skyrunning records) is part of the Skyrunner World Series calendar, giving it global credentialing within the skyrunning community. The event also has a UTMB index listing.
Vihren's Summit and the Koncheto Ridge: The Pirin Ultra 68km Course
What is the highest point on Pirin Ultra 68km?
▼
The route passes over Vihren at 2,914m — the highest peak in Pirin National Park and the third-highest peak in Bulgaria. The course also traverses the Koncheto ridge, a narrow exposed arête that is one of the most technically demanding sections.
International Field and Strong Completion Rates: The Pirin Ultra 68km Profile
How many people finish Pirin Ultra 68km?
▼
174 runners finished the 68km in 2024 — a mid-sized field for an alpine race of this difficulty. For context, only 87 runners finished the 160km in the same year. The race draws participants from 39 countries, with approximately 70% of entrants coming from outside Bulgaria.
Pirin Ultra – 68 km 68km GPX
Getting to Pirin Ultra – 68 km
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
