Swiss Irontrail 55km: Savognin to Bivio Through Parc Ela, 4,199m D+ via Pass Lunghin and Septimerpass

The Swiss Irontrail T55 covers 55km officially (55.05km by GPX analysis) with 4,199m D+ confirmed by both official figures and GPX measurement. Official D- is approximately 3,610m; GPX records show 3,933m (discrepancy flagged in DTR records). The finish in Bivio sits approximately 579m higher than the Savognin start, which accounts for the asymmetry between ascent and descent totals. D+/km of approximately 76.3m ranks 30th of 390 European ultras — top 8% most vertically demanding. Maximum race time is 16 hours from the Savognin start.

The T55 runs point-to-point from Savognin to Bivio in Canton Graubünden, Switzerland. The course climbs through Val d'Err to the Fuorcla digl Leget (the Himmelstor, or Heaven's Gate), then continues across the Alp Flix plateau to Pass Lunghin. From Pass Lunghin the route descends past Leg Grevasalvas before crossing the Septimerpass — one of the oldest documented Alpine passes, in use since the Bronze Age. The final section descends via Stallerberg to the finish in Bivio. The entire route runs through Parc Ela, Switzerland's largest nature park.

The T55 combines high alpine meadows, scree fields, rocky singletrack, mountain lakes, and sustained ridgeline running above the treeline. Paths include gravel tracks, open mountain trails, and technical rocky sections through wide alpine valleys and high passes. The D+/km rank of 30/390 and Percent-Flat rank of 35/390 place this firmly in the top 10% most demanding alpine terrain profiles among European ultras. Runners should be confident on technical mountain terrain and comfortable with sustained high-altitude running throughout the full race distance.

The T55 entry fee is priced in Swiss francs (CHF). The early-bird price for the 2026 edition was CHF 110 (valid until February 28, 2026), with the price increasing from March 1, 2026. An additional Datasport administration fee may apply on top of the entry fee. DTR records the approximate €/km equivalent at 2.18. Registration is managed via Datasport (onreg.datasport.com). The 2026 edition was not sold out. For 2027 pricing and registration dates — note the 2027 race moves to August 14–15 — check irontrail.ch directly.

The nearest airport is Zürich (ZRH), approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours from Savognin by car or public transport. Trains run from Zurich to Chur or Thusis, with connecting buses into the Val Surses, though this is slower than driving. A car is recommended for flexibility and to manage point-to-point logistics, as the race starts in Savognin and finishes in Bivio — requiring shuttle or car-drop arrangements. Accommodation in Val Surses is limited; book well in advance. The race classifies as FAR by DTR's 3-hour airport proximity threshold.