Latvia · Vidzeme (Gauja National Park)
Gauja Trail by UTMB
Distance
86 km
Date
August 1, 2026
Entry fee
149 EUR
€ / km
€1.73
UTMB Latvia: Gauja valley singletrack, river gorges, and a Baltic forest race with big-brand polish.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
2000m
D+/KM
23.26m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
7.9%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-7.9%
Uphill gradient distribution
Route Profile
Analysed 2026-05-02Terrain breakdown
Terrain
Climbs
Top climbs
1.4 km · 76 m gain
starts km 17 · avg 5.3% · max 21.7%
3.7 km · 76 m gain
starts km 4 · avg 2.0% · max 23.1%
1.7 km · 72 m gain
starts km 80 · avg 4.2% · max 18.6%
Top descents
1.4 km · 79 m drop
starts km 0 · avg -5.7% · max -19.9%
0.4 km · 77 m drop
starts km 20 · avg -21.4% · max -31.6%
0.4 km · 73 m drop
starts km 10 · avg -19.0% · max -27.4%
Why the Gauja Trail 86km Is One of Europe's Flattest Ultras (47.6% Flat Terrain, 76m Biggest Climb)
Q: How hard is the Gauja Trail by UTMB 86km? A: Physically demanding in the way any 86km race is, but not technically difficult. The course is 47.6% flat, the biggest single climb rises just 76m, and there is no alpine terrain. The challenge is aerobic — sustained running effort through forest for 10–15 hours. Runners who struggle with technical descents or altitude will find this far more manageable than most European ultras of similar distance.
Course Profile — Forest Singletrack, Sandstone Gorges, and 86km of Sustained Running
Q: Is the Gauja Trail by UTMB a UTMB qualifier? A: Yes. The 86km is an official UTMB World Series event, awarding UTMB Mont-Blanc qualifying points. It is one of the Baltic region's primary entry points to the UTMB qualification system.
UTMB Qualifying Points in Latvia: What the €161 Entry Actually Gets You
Q: How much does it cost to enter the Gauja Trail by UTMB 86km? A: €149 standard entry — €1.73 per kilometre. Note that the UTMB registration platform adds €11.92 per participant on top, bringing the effective cost to approximately €161. This is standard for UTMB series events.
Getting There: Riga, Sigulda, and the Easiest Airport-to-Start in the DTR Database
Q: When does the 2026 Gauja Trail by UTMB 86km take place? A: August 1–2, 2026. The 86km starts on August 1.
Race files
Logistics
Nearest airport
Riga (RIX)
Notes
Start: ~1–2 hrs by car or train to Sigulda Cēsis Līgatne (host towns; start varies by distance; TODO: verify 86K start town) / Public transport: easy trains and buses from Riga to Sigulda Cēsis Līgatne; race shuttles offered for some starts (100K per race info; TODO: verify for 86K) / Accommodation: good in Sigulda and Cēsis; limited in small villages; book early
