Austria · Salzburg
Grossglockner Ultra-Trail
Distance
110 km
Date
July 24, 2026
Entry fee
220 EUR
€ / km
€2.00
Austria’s alpine showcase: glacier views, huge climbs, and a festival base in Zell am See/Kaprun.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
6500m
D+/KM
59.09m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
17.3%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-15.8%
Uphill gradient distribution
Route Profile
Analysed 2026-05-01Terrain breakdown
Terrain
Climbs
Top climbs
4.3 km · 770 m gain
starts km 50 · avg 18.1% · max 123.8%
5.5 km · 736 m gain
starts km 56 · avg 13.3% · max 51.0%
3.8 km · 660 m gain
starts km 69 · avg 17.6% · max 93.3%
Top descents
17.4 km · 1792 m drop
starts km 74 · avg -10.3% · max -81.1%
3.8 km · 583 m drop
starts km 32 · avg -15.6% · max -79.4%
4.1 km · 548 m drop
starts km 24 · avg -13.0% · max -70.5%
The Grossglockner Ultra-Trail (GGUT 110) is a 110 km trail race held in July in Salzburg province, Austria. The course gains 6,500 m over 110 km (59.1 m/km), starting at 9:30 pm on a Friday from Kaprun and circumnavigating the Grossglockner — Austria's highest mountain at 3,798 m — through the Hohe Tauern National Park. Entry costs €220 (until May 31, 2026), equivalent to €2.00 per kilometre. The race sells out each year.
The longest descent drops 1,792 m over 17.37 km — the 6th largest single descent of 386 European trail distances in the DTR database. The distance-weighted average uphill gradient of 17.3% ranks 23rd steepest of 390 European distances — meaning nearly 9 in 10 European trail races are less steep on uphills. The route crosses 3 federal states, 7 valleys, and passes 14 glaciers. Over half the course runs above 2,000 m. Nearest airport is Salzburg (SZG), approximately 81 minutes by car.
First run in 2015, the North Face-sponsored GGUT carries 5 ITRA points and qualifies for Western States 100 under 28 hours. Maximum field is 500 runners. It suits qualified trail runners prepared for serious alpine attrition — the 2025 edition was abandoned mid-race due to bad weather.
How hard is the GGUT 110km? (Climbs, descents, and GPX data breakdown)
Q: How hard is the Grossglockner Ultra-Trail GGUT 110km? A: Very hard. The GGUT covers 110km with 6,500m of elevation gain (59.1m per km) within a 28-hour cutoff. The distance-weighted average uphill gradient of 17.3% is the 23rd steepest of 390 European distances — steeper on uphills than nearly 9 in 10 European trail races. The longest descent drops 1,792m over 17.37km — the 6th largest single descent of 386 European trail distances. Over half the route runs above 2,000m, with 2–4 snowfield crossings and via ferrata sections on cliff faces. The 2025 edition was abandoned mid-race due to bad weather.
Does the Grossglockner Ultra-Trail qualify for Western States 100?
Q: Does the Grossglockner Ultra-Trail qualify for Western States 100? A: Yes. The GGUT 110km is a qualifier for the Western States 100 Endurance Run for runners finishing under 28 hours — the race's full time limit. It also carries 5 ITRA points (the maximum), making it one of the most ITRA-point-dense 110km races in Europe. Entry qualification requires completion of a race with ≥3 ITRA points between January 2023 and May 2026.
How to get to the Grossglockner Ultra-Trail from Salzburg airport
Q: How do you get to the Grossglockner Ultra-Trail from Salzburg? A: Salzburg airport (SZG) is approximately 81 minutes by car from Kaprun, the race start and finish. Public transport connects via excellent train service to Zell am See and then bus to Kaprun. Munich (MUC) and Innsbruck (INN) airports are alternative options within 2–2.5 hours. Accommodation in Zell am See and Kaprun fills quickly — the area is a popular summer resort; book well in advance.
What happened at the 2025 GGUT — and what is the weather risk?
Q: What is the weather risk on the GGUT 110km? A: High. The route runs above 2,000m for more than half its distance, with passes reaching 2,663m. The 2025 edition of the longer GGUT races was abandoned mid-race due to deteriorating weather. Sudden storms, snow, and near-freezing conditions at altitude are possible in late July. Mandatory bad-weather kit — hardshell jacket, waterproof trousers, thermal layers, hat and gloves — is carried by all runners. Equipment is checked at the start and at spot checks during the race.
Logistics
Nearest airport
Salzburg (SZG) / Munich (MUC) / Innsbruck (INN)
Notes
Start: ~1.5–2.5 hrs to Kaprun/Zell am See / Public transport: very good (train to Zell am See + bus) / Accommodation: strong in Zell am See/Kaprun; book early (summer)
