Jura Swiss Trail 55K: Switzerland's Jura Ridge Ultra in Vaud's Untamed Pre-Alpine Terrain

D+ = 3,210m, officially confirmed -- exact match between the published figure and GPX analysis (GPX actual distance 54.23km). At 58.8m of D+ per kilometre the course ranks 88th most vertically dense out of 390 European ultras -- top 23% of the database. Total D- is 3,338m. The biggest single climb rises 607m (rank 122/390 -- upper third of database). The average uphill gradient ranks 64th steepest in the European trail database (top 16%). The course traverses the Jura ridges above Baulmes, Vaud, with views toward Lake Geneva and the pre-Alps from the higher sections.

Harder than pre-alpine terrain might imply. 3,210m of D+ over 54.6km (58.8m/km, rank 88/390) combined with average uphill gradient in the top 16% of the database (rank 64/390) makes this a genuinely demanding course. The average descent gradient sits above the database midpoint as well (rank 276/390). A DNF rate of approximately 32.3% is recorded in race data -- significantly higher than typical for this distance and terrain type; verify via DUV (statistik.d-u-v.org/eventdetail.php?event=107452). The race features sustained rolling ridge terrain with approximately 21% flat proportion, meaning limited recovery sections throughout.

The 2026 edition's shorter distances (11K, 19K, 35K) sold out before race day; the 55K-specific sell-out status is less clear -- the official website listed only the shorter distances as sold out. The 55K cap is 250 runners. Registration for 2026 closed April 29 and the event ran May 2. Entry was CHF 85 (approximately 1.70 euros per km). Registration is via the MSO platform at mso.swiss. Monitor juraswisstrail.ch for 2027 opening dates; shorter distances in particular should be expected to sell quickly.

The race starts in Baulmes, Vaud, Switzerland. Geneva airport (GVA) is approximately 82 minutes by car. Public transport is feasible: take the train to Yverdon-les-Bains (on the main Geneva-Lausanne-Neuchatel line) and connect locally to Baulmes. Accommodation is very limited in Baulmes -- stay in Yverdon-les-Bains (10-15 min away; also home to a well-known thermal spa) or in Lausanne (approx 45 min). Race takes place early May; book accommodation well in advance for the Yverdon area.

Now in its 7th edition (2026; first held 2019), Jura Swiss Trail is a community trail running festival in the Jura Nord Vaudois above Baulmes, Vaud. It offers four distances: 11K, 19K, 35K, and 55K across the Jura ridges -- from the Aiguilles de Baulmes to the Suchet and Chasseron summits. Total bib allocation is 1,100 (11K: 200; 19K: 350; 35K: 300; 55K: 250). The event is known for its festive community character: locally-brewed beer at the finish and a 'rural, artisanal, local, festive' atmosphere. The 55K is DUV-listed at statistik.d-u-v.org/eventdetail.php?event=107452.