Italy · Lombardy
Distance
122 km
Date
Entry fee
€170
€ / km
€1.40
Ortles Haute Route: The Inaugural Italian Alpine Ultra That Doesn't Play It Safe
The Ortles Haute Route is a 121.8 km alpine trail race making its inaugural appearance in September 2026 in Stelvio National Park, Lombardy, Italy. Starting and finishing in Bormio, the course covers 9,000m of elevation gain — 74m per kilometre — placing it among the top 20% most elevation-dense distances in DTR's database of nearly 390 courses. Entry costs €170, or €1.40 per kilometre.
The route crosses three passes above 3,000 metres: Passo Zebrù (3,005m), Rifugio Casati (3,269m), and Passo del Madriccio (3,123m), entirely within Stelvio National Park. The top single climb is 15.2 km long with 1,714m of gain — one of the fifteen largest single ascents in DTR's database. Average uphill gradient is 15.3%, steeper than 374 of 390 distances in the database, and just 12% of the course is flat terrain. Milan airports are 2.75–4.5 hours away by road.
The race was conceived by Marco De Gasperi, six-time mountain running world champion. 2026 is the inaugural edition — no previous finisher data or course records exist. It suits experienced mountain ultra runners comfortable with sustained high-alpine climbing, minimal flat terrain, and fully exposed ridge routes above 3,000m.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
9,000m
D+/KM
73.9m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
15.3%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-14.6%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 8.4 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 10.5 km | |
| 10–15% | 10.5 km | |
| 15–20% | 8.0 km | |
| 20%+ | 14.9 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 42.9% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 11.9% | Flat |
| 45.1% | Downhill |
Ortles Haute Route – 121.83 km 122km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 15.2 km · 1,714 m gain starts km 73 · avg 11.3% · max 52.1% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 4.6 km · 872 m gain starts km 17 · avg 19.0% · max 52.0% |
| 3 | 5.3 km · 871 m gain starts km 53 · avg 16.3% · max 51.5% |
Top descents
| 1 | 8.9 km · 1,272 m drop starts km 44 · avg -14.3% · max -42.3% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 9.2 km · 1,189 m drop starts km 64 · avg -12.9% · max -49.4% |
| 3 | 8.5 km · 966 m drop starts km 31 · avg -11.0% · max -64.4% |
How Hard is the Ortles Haute Route?
How Hard is the Ortles Haute Route?▼
Extremely demanding. The 121.83km course gains 9,000m, approximately 74m per kilometre, placing it in the top 20% most elevation-dense distances in DTR's database. Steeper than approximately 374 of 390 distances in the database. The top single climb is 15.15km long with 1,714m of gain, it is one of the 15 largest single ascents in DTR's records. The route crosses three passes above 3,000m entirely within Stelvio National Park. Just 12% of the course is flat terrain.
How Much Does the Ortles Haute Route Cost to Enter?
How Much Does the Ortles Haute Route Cost to Enter?▼
Entry for the inaugural 2026 edition is €170, approximately €1.40 per kilometre. Two pricing tiers apply: runners with a FIDAL or World Athletics license pay €10 less than those without. A potential additional commission fee may be applied at checkout. Registration opened February 21, 2026.
Date, Location, Distance: Ortles Haute Route Guide
When and where does the Ortles Haute Route take place?
▼
The 2026 edition runs September 11–12, with the main distance starting and finishing in Bormio, Lombardy, Italy. The entire course is within Stelvio National Park. Additional distances of 30km and a non-competitive 10km Open Trail are also available.
How to Get to Bormio for the Ortles Haute Route (airports and logistics)
How do you get to the Ortles Haute Route from Milan?
▼
Bormio is approximately 164 minutes (2.75–4.5 hours depending on route and mountain pass conditions) from Milan's airports by road. Milan Malpensa (MXP), Linate (LIN), and Bergamo (BGY) are all options. Public transport exists, by train to Tirano then bus to Bormio, but late-night connections are limited. A car is recommended. Book accommodation in Bormio early; the town fills quickly in peak summer season.
Marco De Gasperi and the Ortles Haute Route
Has the Ortles Haute Route been held before?
▼
No, 2026 is the inaugural edition. The race was conceived and organized by Marco De Gasperi, six-time mountain running world champion, who designed the course as a high route connecting Valtellina and Alto Adige through the Ortles-Cevedale massif in Stelvio National Park. No previous course records, DNF rates, or finisher data exist.
Ortles Haute Route – 121.83 km 122km GPX
Getting to Ortles Haute Route – 121.83 km
Nearest airport
Milan Malpensa (MXP) / Milan Linate (LIN) / Milan Bergamo (BGY) / Zurich (ZRH)
Notes
Start: ~3–4.5 hrs by road to Bormio (depending on airport/traffic; passes can affect time) / Public transport: train to Tirano + bus to Bormio; limited late-night options, car recommended / Accommodation: strong in Bormio but books out early in peak season—reserve early.
FAR
It’ll possibly take 3+ hours from the closest large airport to arrive. Plan your adventure accordingly, take an extra day for those after-race beers or Curranz.
