Slovenia · Julian Alps
Distance
50 km
Date
Entry fee
€116
€ / km
€2.32
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB Sky Trail 50K — From Žirovnica to Kranjska Gora via the Karavanke Ridge
The Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB Sky Trail 50K is a point-to-point alpine adventure from Žirovnica — birthplace of France Prešeren, Slovenia's national poet — across the Karavanke ridge to the ski-resort finish in Kranjska Gora. Near the start, Lake Bled glitters in the valley; at the ridge, Mt. Triglav dominates the horizon. With 2,665 m of gain over 50 km (53.3 m/km), this earns top-19% status for its biggest single climb and top-26% for average uphill gradient among 390 races in the DTR database.
Two wave starts (08:00 and 09:30) on 18 September 2026 ease the early crowds on narrow ridge paths; the 13-hour cutoff is firm. Two UTMB Running Stones and direct Finals access to UTMB Mont-Blanc make this one of the most efficient qualifiers on the circuit. Entry is currently €116 (2.32 €/km), with an early-bird tier from €92 — strong value for a UTMB World Series race. Ljubljana Airport is 23 minutes from the finish in Kranjska Gora. First held in 2022; not currently sold out.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
2,665m
D+/KM
53.3m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
14.4%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-12.9%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 4.1 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 4.1 km | |
| 10–15% | 3.1 km | |
| 15–20% | 2.6 km | |
| 20%+ | 4.3 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 35.3% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 27.9% | Flat |
| 36.8% | Downhill |
Terrain
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB – 50 km 50km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 9.5 km · 1,205 m gain starts km 0 · avg 12.7% · max 73.5% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 2.3 km · 379 m gain starts km 17 · avg 16.8% · max 50.4% |
| 3 | 3.6 km · 236 m gain starts km 43 · avg 6.6% · max 48.3% |
Top descents
| 1 | 7.4 km · 536 m drop starts km 27 · avg -7.2% · max -29.6% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3.8 km · 430 m drop starts km 22 · avg -11.4% · max -54.6% |
| 3 | 1.5 km · 347 m drop starts km 20 · avg -23.0% · max -50.4% |
Route Overview: Žirovnica to Kranjska Gora Across the Karavanke Ridge
What is the start location and time for the Julian Alps Trail Run Sky Trail 50K?
▼
The race starts in Žirovnica — birthplace of Slovenia's national poet France Prešeren — in two waves: Wave 1 at 08:00 and Wave 2 at 09:30 on September 18, 2026. Runners are assigned to their wave ahead of the race.
Elevation Profile: 2,665m Gain and a 1,200m Alpine Descent on the JAT 50K
How much elevation gain does the Julian Alps Trail Run 50K have?
▼
2,665m of D+ over 51.7km (53.3m/km), placing it in the top 45% for climbing density out of 390 European ultras. The biggest single climb rises 430m — ranking in the top 19% of all ascents in the database.
UTMB World Series: Running Stones, Finals Access, and What That Means for Runners
How many UTMB Running Stones does the Julian Alps Trail Run 50K earn?
▼
Two UTMB Running Stones, plus direct Finals access to UTMB Mont-Blanc — making this one of the most efficient qualifiers on the UTMB World Series circuit for a 50km distance. Europe Trail Cup points also awarded.
Logistics: Getting to the Žirovnica Start and Kranjska Gora Finish
What is the cutoff time for the Julian Alps Trail Run Sky Trail 50K?
▼
13 hours from the Wave 1 start (08:00). Intermediate cutoffs are not confirmed — check the official race guide at julianalps.utmb.world. The finish is in Kranjska Gora; a race shuttle from the finish to the Žirovnica start costs €15.
Entry Fees, Capacity, and Registration for Julian Alps Trail Run 50K 2026
How do I get to Žirovnica for the start of the Julian Alps Trail Run 50K?
▼
Ljubljana Airport (LJU) is approximately 23 minutes by car from Kranjska Gora (the finish). A race shuttle runs from Kranjska Gora to the Žirovnica start for €15. Public transport options include buses to Bled and Kranjska Gora. Accommodation books fast in September — Bled and Kranjska Gora are the recommended base towns.
Getting to Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB – 50 km
Nearest airport
Ljubljana (LJU) / Trieste (TRS) / Venice (VCE)
Notes
Start: ~1.0–2.5 hrs; 170K base is Radovljica (Linhart Square), in the Bled/Kranjska Gora corridor / Public transport: good to Bled/Bohinj by bus; Kranjska Gora via bus; race shuttles common / Accommodation: strong in Bled/Kranjska Gora; books out fast (September); book early
