Austria · Salzburg
Distance
72 km
Date
Entry fee
—
€ / km
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Hochkönig Ultraks 72km: Austria's Most Mountainous New Ultra (Ranked 26th of 390 in Europe)
The Hochkönig Ultraks 72km is the flagship king distance of an alpine trail festival that made its 2026 premiere in Maria Alm, Austria — the inaugural edition after the former Hochkönigman race was rebranded and taken over by the Ultraks series. Starting at 05:00 in pre-dawn darkness, the HK70 sends runners through 71.5 kilometres and 4,150 metres of gain across the Hochkönig massif: snowfields, rocky ridges, and the vast limestone plateau of the Steinernes Meer.
The mountain profile earns standout ranking: with just 14.2% of the course classed as flat, this sits in the top 7% most mountain-dominated of 390 European trail races — ranked 26th in the entire database. The loop returns to Maria Alm with a 16-hour cutoff at 21:00. The inaugural edition drew more than 2,300 runners from 46 countries across nine distances, with three distances selling out before race day. Salzburg Airport is under 90 minutes by car, making this one of the more accessible high-alpine ultras in the Eastern Alps.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
4,150m
D+/KM
58.0m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
14.1%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-14.3%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 5.0 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 7.1 km | |
| 10–15% | 7.0 km | |
| 15–20% | 5.5 km | |
| 20%+ | 7.1 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 44.4% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 10.0% | Flat |
| 45.6% | Downhill |
Terrain
Hochkönigman – Hochkönig Ultraks – 71.5 km 72km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 6.7 km · 1,088 m gain starts km 29 · avg 16.3% · max 45.3% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 8.1 km · 971 m gain starts km 44 · avg 12.0% · max 43.4% |
| 3 | 3.7 km · 470 m gain starts km 0 · avg 12.8% · max 25.9% |
Top descents
| 1 | 8.6 km · 1,218 m drop starts km 62 · avg -14.2% · max -47.4% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 7.8 km · 928 m drop starts km 21 · avg -11.9% · max -50.7% |
| 3 | 6.5 km · 808 m drop starts km 38 · avg -12.0% · max -48.6% |
How Difficult is the Hochkönig Ultraks 72km?
How Difficult is the Hochkönig Ultraks 72km?▼
With 4,150m of climbing over 71.5km, a 14.22% flat ratio (ranking 26th most mountainous of 390 European trail races), a pre-dawn 05:00 start, snowfield crossings, and sustained rocky alpine terrain, the HK70 is a serious high-alpine ultra requiring solid mountain running experience.
Race Day Logistics: Start Time, Cutoff, and What to Expect on Course
What time does the Hochkönig Ultraks 72km start and what is the cutoff?
▼
The HK70 starts at 05:00 on Saturday June 6 2026, with a final cutoff of 21:00 — giving runners 16 hours to complete the loop from and back to Maria Alm.
Getting There: Airports, Transfers, and Staying Near Maria Alm
Which airport should I fly into for the Hochkönig Ultraks?
▼
Salzburg Airport (SZG) is the closest at approximately 1 to 1.5 hours by car. Munich Airport (MUC) offers broader international connections and is roughly 2 to 2.5 hours away. A car is recommended for the final transfer to Maria Alm.
Hochkönig Ultraks 72km Sell-Out Status: Remaining Slots and Registration Pace
Is the Hochkönig Ultraks 72km sold out?
▼
As of March 2026, around 35 slots remained in the HK70, with the field filling rapidly. Three of nine distances at the event sold out before race day. Check time2win.at or the official website for current availability.
How the Hochkönig Ultraks 72km Compares to Other Alpine Ultras
What is the history behind the Hochkönig Ultraks?
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The race ran as the Hochkönigman from 2015 and was rebranded in 2026 as the Hochkönig Ultraks following a takeover by the Ultraks series — which also organises events at the Matterhorn, Engadin, Mayrhofen, and Villars. The 2026 edition was the inaugural Hochkönig Ultraks, attracting more than 2,300 runners from 46 countries.
Hochkönigman – Hochkönig Ultraks – 71.5 km 72km GPX
Getting to Hochkönigman – Hochkönig Ultraks – 71.5 km
Nearest airport
Salzburg (SZG) / Munich (MUC)
Notes
Start: SZG ~1–1.5 hrs; MUC ~2–2.5 hrs / Public transport: Train feasible to region but race-morning transfers usually need car/shuttle / Accommodation: Good but can fill
