Question 1

How hard is the Lavaredo Ultra Trail?

Accepted Answer

Very hard. The 120K has a 23% DNF rate (2024: 375 out of 1,614 starters did not finish). The rocky, technical Dolomite terrain makes every metre of climbing and descending harder than comparable elevation on dirt or gravel. Runners who have done both consistently rate Lavaredo approximately 30% harder than races with similar distance and vertical. The course gets progressively more technical — the last 40km contain boulder fields requiring hand-and-foot climbing when you are most fatigued.

Question 2

What is the elevation gain of the Lavaredo Ultra Trail?

Accepted Answer

The 120K has approximately 5,800m of elevation gain and 5,800m of loss. The highest point is around 2,450m at Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and the course never drops below 1,200m — you are at altitude the entire race. Other distances: 80K has 4,600m, 50K has 2,600m, 20K has 1,000m, and 10K has 300m of elevation gain.

Question 3

How do I qualify for the Lavaredo Ultra Trail?

Accepted Answer

You need a valid UTMB Index to enter: 100K or 100M index for the 120K, 50K/100K/100M for the 80K, and 20K or above for the 50K. The 20K and 10K require no index. You earn a UTMB Index by finishing any UTMB Index-labelled race worldwide. Entry is by lottery (not first-come-first-served), and you also need an Italian medical certificate confirming fitness for competitive athletics.

Question 4

What time does the Lavaredo Ultra Trail start?

Accepted Answer

The 120K starts at 11pm on Friday evening from Cortina d'Ampezzo. This means the first 6 hours are run in darkness on forest trails, with sunrise around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo approach for mid-pack runners. Most runners face a second night of running after 21+ hours, which is when fatigue-induced hallucinations commonly occur.

Question 5

How long does the Lavaredo Ultra Trail take to finish?

Accepted Answer

The winner typically finishes in around 12 hours. Mid-pack runners average 12:50+ min/km and finish in 20-28 hours. The cutoff time is 36 hours. There are virtually no flat recovery sections — nearly every kilometre is either steep up or steep down.

Question 6

What gear do I need for the Lavaredo Ultra Trail?

Accepted Answer

There is a mandatory equipment list including waterproof jacket, thermal layer, gloves, headlamp with spare batteries, emergency blanket, whistle, and minimum 1 litre water capacity. Trekking poles are strongly recommended — nearly every runner uses them — but if you choose to carry them, you must carry them the entire race. Trail shoes with aggressive grip and a large toe box are essential for the rocky limestone terrain.

Question 7

Where is the drop bag point at the Lavaredo Ultra Trail?

Accepted Answer

The only drop bag point is at Cimabanche, approximately km 66 of the 120K course. This is your one chance to change shoes, socks and shirt, restock nutrition, and reapply anti-chafe products. Runners recommend spending 20-30 minutes maximum — the comfort of the well-equipped aid station is a known psychological trap where many runners DNF.

Name	Distance	Elevation	Category	Date
Lavaredo 120K	120km	5,800m+	Ultra	Jun 25, 2026
Lavaredo 80K	80km	4,600m+	Ultra	Jun 26, 2026
Lavaredo 50K	50km	2,600m+	Ultra	Jun 25, 2026
Lavaredo 20K	20km	1,000m+	Sub Ultra	Jun 24, 2026
Lavaredo 10K	10km	300m+	Sub Ultra	Jun 23, 2026

La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB

Activity map

Race Weekend Tips & Meetups

Event Information

Available Distances

Frequently Asked Questions