A 110km loop around Austria's highest mountain through three federal states
Other trail races within 200 miles
The Grossglockner Ultra-Trail is a 110-kilometer circumnavigation of Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner (3,798m), entirely within the Hohe Tauern National Park. Starting and finishing at Salzburger Platz in Kaprun, the course traverses three Austrian federal states, seven valleys, and six municipalities, passing fourteen glaciers and crossing four high alpine passes above 2,500 meters. More than 80% of the route follows technically demanding mountain trails at average elevations above 2,000 meters. Runners negotiate multiple snowfields, steep technical descents, and long exposed sections at altitude. With 6,500 meters of vertical gain and a 28-hour cutoff, it is one of the most demanding ultra-trail events in the Alps.
Recommended for seasoned ultrarunners
Kaprun, Salzburg, AustriaJuly 24, 2026
Must meet custom qualifier requirements within the qualification window
Qualifying window: January 01, 2023 – May 31, 2026
Must have completed a qualifying race with at least 3 ITRA points (old or new scale) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2026. Race must be specified at registration. A non-exhaustive list is available at itra.run. Minimum age 18. The GGUT itself is a Western States 100 qualifying race for sub-28hr finishers.
| Location | km | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
Start Start | 0.0 | 768 m |
Finish Finish | 110.0 | 766 m |
Sign in to see cutoffs, crew access, drop bags, and services for every aid station.
Late July in the Hohe Tauern mountains brings warm summer temperatures in the valleys but cold and unpredictable conditions at altitude. Temperatures at the start in Kaprun (760m) may be 15–20°C but drop significantly at the high passes above 2,500m — often to near freezing at night. Afternoon thunderstorms are a regular occurrence and can develop rapidly on the exposed ridgelines above treeline. Snowfields are present on the high passes even in midsummer and can become icy overnight. UV radiation is intense above 2,000m. Runners should plan for all four seasons during a single race: warm valley sections, cold nights, rain, possible snow, and bright alpine sunshine.
Course runs above 2,000m for more than half its length; four passes exceed 2,500m including the high point at 2,663m
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Austrian Alps during July — exposed high-altitude sections require vigilance
Nighttime temperatures above 2,500m can drop near freezing even in July; snowfields must be crossed regardless of season
Weather conditions can change rapidly in the Hohe Tauern; mandatory gear is strictly enforced and may be upgraded to bad-weather kit by race management
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