Iceland · Eastfjords
Distance
50 km
Date
Entry fee
ISK 20,000
€ / km
€2.76
New date pending
This race has already occurred. A new date for next year’s edition is pending.
Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA is a 50km mountain race through the Eastfjords of Iceland, starting July 4, 2026, from Borgarfjörður Eystri — one of the country's most remote inhabited villages. The course gains 2,557m over 50km (51 m/km) across the Víknaslóðir multi-fjord trail system, traversing rhyolite ridges, river crossings, and snowfield terrain beneath the Dyrfjöll massif.
Distance-weighted average gradients are 13.5% uphill and 11.8% downhill; 36.2% of the course is climbing, 21.7% flat, and 42.1% descending. The race opens immediately with its hardest climb: 710m gain over 5.3 km at 13.3% average, followed by a 595m descent at 14.1% average — the first 10km sets the tone. Entry costs 20,000 ISK (€2.76/km per DTR's AUTO calculation). 2 ITRA points. Not sold out for 2026. The nearest airport is Egilsstaðir EGS; the race is classified IS FAR (2–3 hours by car). Race day runs entirely under Iceland's Midnight Sun — no darkness throughout.
The Dyrfjallahlaup is simultaneously a race and a festival: stand-up comedy, live music, and culinary events at the finish. First held as an Ultra in 2023 — 4th edition in 2026, with 18 finishers in 2025. Suits runners drawn to remote sub-Arctic mountain terrain, tiny-field adventure events, and Icelandic community culture.
Total Meters
2,557m
D+/KM
51.1m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
13.5%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-11.8%
| 2–5% | 3.4 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 5.2 km | |
| 10–15% | 4.4 km | |
| 15–20% | 1.9 km | |
| 20%+ | 3.2 km |
| 36.2% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 21.7% | Flat |
| 42.1% | Downhill |
| 1 | 5.3 km · 710 m gain starts km 0 · avg 13.3% · max 47.1% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 4.9 km · 386 m gain starts km 24 · avg 7.9% · max 22.4% |
| 3 | 3.3 km · 377 m gain starts km 17 · avg 11.4% · max 138.2% |
| 1 | 4.2 km · 595 m drop starts km 5 · avg -14.1% · max -40.7% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 8.6 km · 466 m drop starts km 28 · avg -5.4% · max -99.4% |
| 3 | 3.5 km · 439 m drop starts km 42 · avg -13.0% · max -32.0% |
Very hard relative to its distance. The course gains 2,557m over 50km (~51m/km) with a distance-weighted average uphill gradient of 13.49% — upper tier across all distances in the DTR database, comparable to 160km races like Naturel Velebit Trail. The hardest climb starts at km 0.12 (no warmup), gaining 710m over 5.34km at 13.3% average. The steepest descent follows immediately, dropping 595m at 14.07% average. Sub-Arctic conditions add further complexity.
The course follows the Víknaslóðir trail system — a famous multi-day hiking route in Iceland's Eastfjords that traverses multiple fjords including Loðmundarfjörður, Húsavík, Breiðavík, and Brúnavík. The race covers this route in a single day. Some sections are not clearly marked; self-navigation is required in places.
Entry costs 20,000 ISK (approximately €138 / €2.76 per km per DTR's AUTO calculation). No additional processing fees beyond the entry fee. Registration is open for 2026 and is not sold out. The per-km price reflects the remote Icelandic location, IS FAR logistics (~2–3 hours from Egilsstaðir by car), and the boutique field size.
Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS) in east Iceland is the closest airport. The race is classified IS FAR — Borgarfjörður Eystri is approximately 2–3 hours by car from EGS. Public transport to Borgarfjörður Eystri is very limited; a rental car is strongly recommended. Accommodation in the village is extremely limited — book early, or use Seyðisfjörður or Egilsstaðir as a base.
The race runs on July 4, 2026, under Iceland's Midnight Sun — full daylight throughout. Expect sub-Arctic conditions: race morning temperatures of 7–8°C (reported as 'ice chilly and freezing cold' by finishers), warming to 13–15°C midday, with 82% average humidity, frequent short showers, and wind gusts on exposed ridges. Snowfields have been reported near km 4.5 in past editions. Layering and waterproof gear are essential.
Nearest airport
Egilsstaðir (EGS)
Notes
Start: ~2.0–3.0 hrs drive to Borgarfjörður Eystri / Public transport: very limited; car strongly recommended / Accommodation: very limited in Borgarfjörður Eystri; book early; Seyðisfjörður or Egilsstaðir fallback
FAR
It’ll possibly take 3+ hours from the closest large airport to arrive. Plan your adventure accordingly, take an extra day for those after-race beers or Curranz.
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