Salomon Ultra Pirineu
Salomon Ultra Pirineu 100K
Bagà
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
The Salomon Ultra Pirineu 100K is one of Europe's most respected mountain ultras, starting and finishing in the medieval town of Bagà in the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees. Covering 100 km with 6,210 m of vertical gain and a high point of 2,512 m, the course is a relentless loop through high alpine pastures, dense forest, and rocky ridgelines that demands both technical mountain-running ability and smart long-distance execution. Cut-offs are tight enough to keep the pressure on from the opening kilometres, yet the course rewards runners who respect the terrain and manage their effort intelligently across a full day and night in the mountains.
Course & Terrain Overview
The route leaves Bagà (793 m) and immediately begins climbing, reaching the Rebost checkpoint at 9.9 km (1,651 m) before pushing on to Niu de l'Àliga at 16.4 km — already at 2,334 m and well above the treeline. From there the course descends sharply to El Serrat (31.5 km, 1,461 m) and Cortals (36.6 km, 1,637 m), a section that blends technical singletrack with forest trail. The mid-race stretch climbs back to Prat d'Aguiló (48 km, 2,013 m) before dropping into Gósol (61.4 km, 1,448 m), the principal crew access point and roughly the halfway mark in time if not distance. The back half of the race traverses to Refugi Lluís Estasen (70.3 km, 1,678 m), descends to Gresolet (74 km, 1,210 m), and then rolls through forest to Aula Natura (84.1 km, 925 m) before a sting-in-the-tail climb back up to Sant Jordi (88.3 km, 1,550 m) and a final descent into Bagà. Expect a mix of well-marked singletrack, rocky alpine terrain above 2,000 m, and runnable forest tracks in the lower valleys — technical footwear with good grip is essential.
Decisive Climbs and Where the Race Is Won or Lost
The opening 16 km set the tone: the sustained haul from Bagà to Niu de l'Àliga (roughly 1,540 m of climbing in the first 16.4 km) arrives with a 10:00 Saturday cut-off that punishes anyone who goes out too hard or too slow. Blowing up here means a long walk to an early DNF. The second decisive section is the climb back to Prat d'Aguiló at 48 km — coming after 30+ km of rolling terrain, this ascent is where tired legs start to fragment the field. The 17:30 cut-off here gives just 9.5 hours from the start, so any time lost earlier compounds rapidly. Finally, the climb to Sant Jordi at 88.3 km (1,550 m) after hours of night running and a low point in the valley at Aula Natura is the race's cruelest final test — many runners find this late ascent the hardest moment of the entire event. Those who have conserved energy through the Gósol-to-Gresolet section will have the legs to run it; those who have not, won't.
Pacing & Race Strategy
With cut-offs spaced roughly every 5–15 km throughout the day and night, there is very little room to bank time and coast. The opening climb to Niu de l'Àliga should be hiked efficiently rather than run — burning matches here costs dearly in the back half. Aim to arrive at Gósol (61.4 km) with comfortable time before the 21:00 cut-off; this is your crew window and the last major reset before a long night section. The stretch from Gósol to Aula Natura (84.1 km) covers roughly 22 km through the dark, including the descent to Gresolet, and the 03:30 cut-off at Aula Natura means maintaining a steady pace even at 2–3 AM. Headtorch reliability is non-negotiable — carry a spare. Because the course oscillates between high alpine (2,000–2,500 m) and valley terrain repeatedly, expect your pace-per-kilometre to vary enormously; plan by effort and cut-off buffer rather than target pace.
Fueling & Crew Access
Crew access is restricted to three points: the start/finish in Bagà and the mid-race Gósol checkpoint at 61.4 km. Plan drop-bags or crew supplies accordingly. Aid stations at Rebost, Niu de l'Àliga, El Serrat, Cortals, Prat d'Aguiló, Refugi Lluís Estasen, Gresolet, Aula Natura, and Sant Jordi provide checkpoint support, but confirmed food and liquid provision should be verified in the official race briefing. Given the sustained climbing and high altitude, calorie burn is significant — aim for 250–350 kcal per hour and prioritise real food at Gósol where your crew can hand you whatever your stomach tolerates best mid-race. Hydration needs fluctuate with altitude and temperature: carry sufficient capacity between checkpoints, particularly on the high sections above 2,000 m where water sources may be unpredictable.
Conditions to Expect
The Salomon Ultra Pirineu typically takes place in late summer or early autumn when the Catalan Pyrenees can present a wide range of conditions within a single day. Morning temperatures at altitude (Niu de l'Àliga, 2,334 m) can be cold and windy even after a warm valley start in Bagà. Afternoon temperatures mid-race may be hot and exposed on the high ridgelines approaching Prat d'Aguiló (2,013 m). By nightfall — when most runners will be somewhere between Gósol and Aula Natura — temperatures drop significantly and the forest trails can be slippery with dew. Mandatory kit requirements (check the official list) typically include waterproof jacket, emergency bivouac gear, and navigation tools; compliance checks are carried out. A lightweight insulating layer for the night section and sun protection for the afternoon alpine exposure are both practical necessities, not optional extras.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
⚠ Auto-researched from public sources — aid stations and cut-offs may be incomplete. Confirm against the official roadbook before race day.
0 km · 793 m · Sat 05:30
10 km · 1687 m · Sat 08:00
16.9 km · 2399 m · Sat 10:00
33.1 km · 1592 m · Sat 13:45
40.2 km · 1846 m · —
49.7 km · 2210 m · Sat 17:45
63.1 km · 1489 m · Sat 21:15
72 km · 1413 m · Sat 23:45
85.9 km · 1138 m · Sun 03:45
90.5 km · 1389 m · —
102.5 km · 790 m · Sun 08:15
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Course data researched from public sources — verify against the official roadbook.