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 50km: Iceland's Eastfjords Mountain Race — Midnight Sun, Hardest Climb at km 0.12, 18 Finishers Last Year
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.
Elevation and Terrain
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%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 3.4 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 5.2 km | |
| 10–15% | 4.4 km | |
| 15–20% | 1.9 km | |
| 20%+ | 3.2 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 36.2% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 21.7% | Flat |
| 42.1% | Downhill |
Terrain
Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA (Dyrfjöll Trail Run) – 50 km 50km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 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% |
Top descents
| 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% |
How Hard Is the Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA 50km? (51 m/km, 13.49% Average Gradient, and No Warmup — the Race Starts Climbing at km 0.12)
How Hard Is the Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA 50km?▼
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.
What trail system does the Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA 50km follow?
What trail system does the Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA 50km follow?▼
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.
The Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA 50km Entry Fee: Iceland's Most Remote 50km Race Cost
How much does the Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA 50km cost?
▼
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.
Getting to Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA: Egilsstaðir (EGS), Borgarfjörður Eystri, and Why This Race Is Classified IS FAR
Which airport should I use for the Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA?
▼
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.
Midnight Sun and Sub-Arctic Weather at Dyrfjallahlaup 50km ULTRA in July
What is the weather like during the Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA?
▼
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.
Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA (Dyrfjöll Trail Run) – 50 km 50km GPX
Getting to Dyrfjallahlaup ULTRA (Dyrfjöll Trail Run) – 50 km
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.
