Val d'Aran by UTMB
SKY - Baqueira Beret (18K)
Pla de Beret
Race guide
Updated 29 June 2026
The SKY – Baqueira Beret is an 18 km sky-running loop set entirely on the high plateau and ridges above the Pla de Beret in the Val d'Aran, run as part of the Val d'Aran by UTMB festival. With 830 m of vertical gain and a high point of 2486 m, it is a compact but punchy mountain race that demands respect: the terrain is genuinely alpine, the altitude is felt from the first step off the start line at 1845 m, and the single out-and-back structure means there is nowhere to hide. The Saturday 14:00 finish cut-off keeps the pressure on, but for well-prepared runners the course rewards aggressive uphill effort and confident technical descending.
Course & Terrain
The race starts and finishes at Pla de Beret (1845 m), one of the highest and most open plateaus in the Pyrenees, before climbing into the surrounding high mountain terrain to reach the turnaround at Estanhs deth Clòt der Os (2157 m) at the 9 km mark. The loop format means you return to exactly the same finish area, with the crew point available at both start and finish. Expect a mix of wide grassy tracks across the plateau giving way to narrower mountain paths as you gain altitude, with rocky sections appearing as you approach the high point of 2486 m somewhere on the upper portion of the course. Footing can be loose and uneven on the higher ground, and at this elevation snowfields or wet boggy patches are entirely possible depending on the season.
The Decisive Climb & Descent
The climb from Pla de Beret at 1845 m up to the high point of 2486 m represents the core physical challenge of the race — a gain of roughly 641 m packed into the first nine kilometres. The gradient is sustained rather than relenting, and the altitude compounds the effort noticeably above 2200 m. The turnaround at Estanhs deth Clòt der Os (2157 m) means you have already passed through the high point before the checkpoint, so the hardest ground comes before the 9 km mark. The return leg drops nearly 640 m back to the finish, with the technical rocky upper section demanding sure-footed descending before the terrain opens out onto the plateau for the final run-in to Pla de Beret.
Pacing & Fuelling
At only 18 km this is a race, not a jog — but altitude at 1845–2486 m will inflate your perceived effort significantly if you go out hard. Start controlled on the climb, hold a rhythm you can sustain to the high point, then commit on the descent where the real time is made. There is only one intermediate checkpoint at 9 km (Estanhs deth Clòt der Os), so arrive self-sufficient: carry enough water for the full outward leg as you do not know what resupply is available en route. A single gel or small snack around the turnaround is usually sufficient for a race of this duration; prioritise hydration over calories given the altitude and likely aerobic intensity. The crew point at Pla de Beret allows supporters to hand off fresh kit or nutrition before the start, but mid-race crew access is limited to the finish.
Conditions to Expect
Pla de Beret sits above 1800 m in the central Pyrenees, and even in summer the high plateau is exposed and weather can shift rapidly. Morning starts in the mountains can be cold — layers that can be stowed quickly are sensible. Wind is a factor on the open plateau and the upper ridges, and afternoon thunderstorms are a characteristic hazard of Pyrenean summers; the Saturday 14:00 cut-off means fast runners will finish well before typical afternoon storm windows, but slower runners should keep one eye on the sky. Light trail shoes with good grip suit the grassy and rocky mixed terrain, while poles are generally unnecessary for a race of this distance and profile unless you rely on them heavily on steep climbs.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 1845 m · —
8 km · 2159 m · —
11.7 km · 2195 m · Sat 12:20
18.1 km · 1848 m · Sat 14:00
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