Dolomiti Extreme Trail 2026
Dolomiti Extreme Trail – DXT 103K
Forno di Zoldo
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
The Dolomiti Extreme Trail DXT 103K is a point-to-loop ultra that starts and finishes in Forno di Zoldo, threading through the heart of the Belluno Dolomites across 101 km of trail with 6,018 m of climbing and a high point of 2,167 m. It is a multi-day sufferfest in the truest sense: cut-offs span Day 2 through to 04:00 on Day 3, meaning most runners will be moving through at least one full night on course. The route visits a succession of alpine meadows, rifugios, malghe and mountain passes — Passo Duran, Passo Staulanza, and the Forcella Cibiana area — weaving between valleys and ridgelines in a landscape defined by the dramatic limestone towers and forested flanks typical of the eastern Dolomites. With nearly 60 m of climbing per kilometre on average, this is a race decided as much by how well you manage effort and time as by outright fitness.
Course & Terrain Overview
From the DXT Village in Forno di Zoldo at 840 m, the race climbs immediately and steeply to Casera Cornigia at 1,725 m by km 13 — a brutal opener that sets the tone. The course then undulates across a series of mountain pastures and woodland tracks, visiting Malga Pramper (1,607 m, km 21) before a long descent toward Passo Duran (1,597 m, km 32), the first crew access and cut-off point. Between km 32 and the Lifebase at Passo Staulanza (1,819 m, km 58) the terrain is relentlessly rolling, passing through Malga Grava, Le Palanche, Malga Pioda and the highest point of the course near Rifugio Belvedere at 2,049 m. After Passo Staulanza the route descends to Zoppé di Cadore (1,449 m, km 69) before climbing again through Rifugio Talamini and the Forcella Cibiana area at 1,554 m (km 84). The final 17 km from Rifugio Bosconero (1,463 m, km 90) through Casera Mugon (1,148 m, km 97) back to Forno di Zoldo are a long, leg-sapping return on trails that feel endless in the dark hours of the early morning.
Decisive Climbs and Where the Race Is Won or Lost
Three sections stand out as race-defining. The opening climb to Casera Cornigia is the sharpest wake-up call: nearly 900 m of gain in 13 km while legs are fresh but enthusiasm is dangerously high — blowing up here means a very long day. The second crux is the push from Passo Duran through to Rifugio Belvedere (2,049 m) and on to Passo Staulanza; this central block covers roughly 26 km with repeated ascents and the course's highest ground, and runners who arrive at the Staulanza Lifebase (cut-off 14:30 on Day 2) with depleted legs and a thin time buffer are unlikely to recover. The third decisive stretch is the night section from Zoppé di Cadore through the Forcella Cibiana area to Rifugio Bosconero — 21 km of climbing and descending in darkness when temperature drops sharply, fatigue peaks, and navigation demands full concentration. Missing the 22:30 cut-off at Forcella Cibiana ends your race with only 17 km to go, so maintaining forward momentum through the night hours is non-negotiable.
Pacing & Time Management
Given the Day 2/Day 3 cut-off structure, runners should build a concrete time plan before race day. The Passo Duran crew point (km 32, cut-off 07:00 Day 2) and Passo Staulanza Lifebase (km 58, cut-off 14:30 Day 2) are the two checkpoints where crew access and a proper stop can either restore or destroy your race. At Passo Staulanza, use the Lifebase fully: change socks, sort any hot spots, top up calories, and pick up night gear if you haven't already. From Zoppé di Cadore (km 69, cut-off 18:30) onward you are racing against darkness and fatigue simultaneously. Aim to leave Zoppé with at least 90 minutes of buffer on the Forcella Cibiana cut-off and headtorch charged. In the opening 30 km, resist the urge to race — power-hike steep climbs and save your quads for the back half. The long descent from Casera Mugon to the finish is a genuinely runnable 7 km that rewards anyone who has protected their legs all day.
Fuelling & Crew Strategy
With four crew access points — Passo Duran (km 32), Passo Staulanza (km 58), Zoppé di Cadore (km 69), and Forcella Cibiana area (km 84) — the DXT 103K offers more crew support than many comparable European ultras. Use these to pre-position drop bags loaded with real food as well as race nutrition: the alpine setting means rifugios and malghe can supplement gels with polenta, soup, and broth, which are significantly better tolerated after km 60 on a cold night. Target a minimum of 250–300 kcal per hour from km 20 onward, and front-load sodium intake to stay ahead of cramping on the long climb-heavy middle section. Between crew points the gaps reach up to 26 km (Passo Duran to Passo Staulanza), so carry enough water and calories to be fully self-sufficient — do not rely on finding aid mid-section.
Conditions to Expect
The Dolomiti Extreme Trail runs through the eastern Dolomites at elevations ranging from 840 m to 2,167 m, and conditions can shift dramatically within a single day. Expect warm to hot temperatures in the valley sections and on exposed south-facing trails, and cold — potentially very cold — air above 1,800 m after dark. Mandatory kit requirements exist for good reason: a wind and waterproof layer, thermal insulation, and a reliable headtorch are essential once you enter the night section around Zoppé di Cadore. Afternoon thunderstorms are a feature of alpine summer weather in the Dolomites, typically building from midday onward; runners passing through the high ground near Rifugio Belvedere in the early afternoon should monitor conditions carefully. Trail surfaces vary considerably — rocky limestone paths, rooted forest singletrack, open grassy alp terrain, and some technical exposed ridge walking — so a shoe with adequate grip and reasonable rock protection is the right choice. Trekking poles are strongly advised given the volume of climbing and the extended night section.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 840 m · —
14 km · 1728 m · —
21.5 km · 1539 m · —
32.4 km · 1596 m · Sat 07:00
39.4 km · 1639 m · —
44.3 km · 1466 m · —
47.3 km · 1827 m · —
51.2 km · 1957 m · —
58 km · 1819 m · Sat 14:30
69 km · 1449 m · Sat 18:30
73.8 km · 1572 m · —
84.4 km · 1529 m · Sat 22:30
93.2 km · 1025 m · —
101 km · 841 m · Sun 04:00
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