Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB
Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB – LADY'S ROCKS
Câmpulung Moldovenesc → Campulung Moldovenesc
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
LADY'S ROCKS is the 48 km challenge at Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB, a loop from and back to Campulung Moldovenesc that squeezes 3,001 m of climbing into its distance. That is a demanding vertical density for a race under 50 km, and it comes from two dominant summit climbs rather than constant undulation, giving the course a distinctive two-punch character. The route is essentially a concentrated tour of the range's best high ground: it takes in Rarau and the Giumalau summit, the day's high point at 1,842 m, before dropping back through the forested valleys to the finish. It suits runners who climb well and descend confidently on rocky mountain terrain, and it serves as a strong step up for anyone building toward the longer FOUR SUMMITS distance.
The Course and Terrain
LADY'S ROCKS starts and finishes in Campulung Moldovenesc at 646 m. From the town the route heads up past Bucovina Eco Retreat at 8.2 km (809 m) and on to Varful Rarau at 14.2 km, reaching 1,618 m. It then plunges to Zugreni at 795 m by 23.5 km before the long haul up to the Giumalau ridge, descends to Transrarau at 33.9 km, and works back through Prasca and Paraul Mesteacan over a final rise at Runc before returning to the finish. With 3,001 m of gain across 48 km, the average gradient is steep, but the vertical is loaded into two big ascents separated by a major descent to the Zugreni valley. The high point of 1,842 m sits on the Giumalau summit at the heart of the loop. This is genuine mountain running: rocky, technical footing on the summits and sharp gradients on both climbs and descents, with runnable ground mostly confined to the valley approaches and the run-in.
Where the Race Is Won and Lost
The two summits are the whole story. The first climb takes you from the 646 m start to Varful Rarau at 1,618 m by 14.2 km, nearly a thousand metres of gain to open the day. Manage your effort here: the temptation is to push the early climb while fresh, but the harder work is still to come. The long descent to Zugreni at 795 m (23.5 km), which is also the first cut-off, gives your legs a battering before the decisive effort. The crux is the Giumalau climb. From Zugreni at 795 m the course climbs through Cabana Giumalau (1,568 m at 27.4 km) to Varful Giumalau, the high point at 1,838 m by 28.8 km, over a kilometre of vertical straight out of the valley. Crest it with energy in reserve and the rest of the loop, the descent to Transrarau at 33.9 km, then Prasca, Paraul Mesteacan and the short final climb over Runc at 46 km (1,102 m), flows toward the finish. Overcook the Giumalau ascent and the closing 20 km become a grind.
How to Pace and Fuel It
Three cut-offs frame the effort. Zugreni at 23.5 km closes Saturday 13:00, Transrarau at 33.9 km closes Saturday 16:30, and Paraul Mesteacan at 44.7 km closes Saturday 18:45, with the finish back in Campulung Moldovenesc by Saturday 20:00. The tightest squeeze for mid-pack runners is often the stretch between Zugreni and Transrarau, because it contains the full Giumalau climb, so bank time on the more runnable early kilometres rather than assuming you can make it up late. Crew access on this loop centres on Transrarau at 33.9 km, so plan to be self-sufficient across the long climbs on either side of it. Fuel consistently on the ascents rather than waiting for the summits, and take on a full water load in the Zugreni valley before committing to the Giumalau climb, the longest sustained effort of the day. Treat Transrarau as your reset point for the final third: eat properly there, then commit to the descents and the last short rise over Runc. Even for the front of the field this is a long day out for the distance, so err toward eating early and often.
Conditions to Expect
LADY'S ROCKS crosses two exposed summits near 1,620 m and 1,840 m while repeatedly dropping to valleys around 700-800 m, so expect wide swings in temperature and exposure across the loop. The Rarau and Giumalau tops can be windy and cold even when the valleys are warm, and Carpathian mountain weather can change fast. Carry a waterproof shell, a warm layer and gloves as standard mountain kit regardless of the start-line forecast. The terrain is rocky and technical on the high ground, and the two long descents, off Rarau to Zugreni and off Giumalau to Transrarau, will test tired quads on uneven footing. Because the race can run late into the evening, be ready for fading light on the final descents and the Runc climb; a headlamp is a sensible carry even if you expect to finish before full dark. Practising steep, rocky descending in training is the single best preparation for holding your position through the back half of this course.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-17) · official source
0 km · 646 m · —
8.2 km · 809 m · —
14.2 km · 1618 m · —
23.5 km · 799 m · Sat 13:00
27.4 km · 1568 m · —
28.8 km · 1838 m · —
33.9 km · 1344 m · Sat 16:30
39.8 km · 1054 m · —
44.7 km · 717 m · Sat 18:45
46 km · 1102 m · —
48 km · 646 m · Sat 20:00
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