Mandarfen / St. Leonhard im Pitztal, Tyrol, Austria July 31 – August 2, 2026
The 14th edition of the Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail (PAGT) takes place from July 31 to August 2, 2026.
📅 Event Schedule Summary
- Dates: Friday, July 31 – Sunday, August 2, 2026
- Location: Mandarfen / St. Leonhard im Pitztal, Tyrol, Austria
The Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail (PAGT) is one of Europe’s premier high-altitude trail running events, held annually in late July or early August in the Pitztal Valley (Tyrol, Austria).
Known for its technical terrain, exposure to altitudes exceeding 3,000 meters, and glacier crossings, it is part of the Golden Trail Series calendar.
Overview
- Location: Pitztal Valley / Mandarfen, Tyrol, Austria
- Terrain: High-alpine singletrack, scree, ridge crossings, and actual glacier sections (e.g., Taschachferner).
- Elevation Peak: Reaches above 3,000 meters (such as the Mittagskogel-Scharte at ~3,070 m).
Race Distances & Categories
The event offers several race options tailored to different experience levels, ranging from entry-level trail runs to technical ultra-marathons:
| Distance | Race Name | Elevation Gain (\approx) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| P105 | Salomon Ultra (Königsdistanz) | ~6,000 m | The flagship ultra-endurance distance. |
| P90 | Pitztaler Gletscher Ultra | ~5,200 m | Extreme ultra covering glacier sectors. |
| P60 | Trail Experience | ~4,300 m | High-mountain circuit crossing the Mittagskogel-Scharte. |
| P45 | Glacier Trail / Rifflsee Trail | ~2,100 m – 2,900 m | Alpine marathon routes with lake and glacier views. |
| P30 | Taschachferner Trail | ~1,300 m | Scenic half-marathon+ distance around the Taschachhaus. |
| P15 | Zirbensteig Trail | ~800 m | Entry-level short trail run. |
| P-YTR | Young Talents Race | ~640 m | Specialized route for youth runners. |
Requirements & Environment
Note: Due to the severe conditions (snowfields, high elevation, freezing ridge temperatures), mandatory equipment lists are strictly enforced by race organizers.
Key gear requirements typically include spikes/crampons for glacier crossings, full waterproof layering, survival blankets, and GPS tracking capability.
Both the P45 (Glacier Trail) and the P105 (Salomon Ultra) originate in Mandarfen (approx. 1,680 m).
Because the event uses a cloverleaf/loop structure around Mandarfen, runners return to the central valley floor base between major high-alpine sectors.
P45: Glacier Trail (Alpine Marathon)
The P45 is widely regarded as one of the most technical and highest marathon-distance races in the Alps.
Course Profile
- Distance: ~45 km
- Elevation Gain: ~2,900 m
- Highest Point: Mittagskogel-Scharte (~3,070 m)
- UTMB / ITRA: 3 ITRA Points / Mountain Level 7
Route Breakdown & Key Checkpoints
- Section 1: The High Glacier Pass (~0 km to ~18 km)
- Start: Mandarfen
- Ascent: Direct, steep climb up toward the Pitztal Glacier area.
- Checkpoint / Station: Mountain station Gletscher Express
- Crux Sector: Continuous climb to the highest point at Mittagskogel-Scharte (3,070 m), followed by a technical glaciated traverse over the Taschachferner glacier over to the Braunschweiger Hütte. (Helmets and micro-spikes/crampons are required on this section).
- Descent: Technical downclimb back down into the valley.
- Checkpoint / Aid Station: Mandarfen (Central Base / Cut-off Hub)
- Section 2: High Lake & Alpine Ridges (~18 km to ~45 km)
- Ascent: Climb from Mandarfen up toward the scenic Rifflsee.
- Checkpoint / Aid Station: Sunna Alm (at Rifflsee)
- High Trail: Follows the panoramic Fuldaer Höhenweg high trail, providing technical singletrack along steep slopes.
- Checkpoint / Aid Station: Taschachhaus / Material Ropeway station
- Finish: Gentle down-valley descent alongside the river returning to Mandarfen.
P105: Salomon Ultra (Königsdistanz)
The P105 is the premier flagship ultra-endurance event. It combines the glaciated high peaks with long, isolated ridge paths across the surrounding Pitztal sub-valleys.
Course Profile
- Distance: ~103–105 km
- Elevation Gain: ~6,000 m
- Highest Point: Mittagskogel-Scharte (~3,070 m)
- UTMB / ITRA: 5 ITRA Points / Mountain Level 8
Route Breakdown & Key Checkpoints
The course is divided into 4 distinct loop loops linked together by central check-ins at Mandarfen, allowing runners access to drop bags up to 4 times.
- Loop 1: Glacier & High Ridge Pass (Night / Early Morning)
- Start: Mandarfen (usually starts Friday night ~23:00).
- Tackles the extreme altitude right away, climbing to Mittagskogel-Scharte (3,070 m) in the dark/dawn hours, crossing the glacier to Braunschweiger Hütte.
- Checkpoint: Mandarfen Base (Loop 1 complete)
- Loop 2: Northern Ridge & High Trails
- Sector: Headed along the Cottbuser Höhenweg high trail, traversing rugged scree fields toward the Kaunergrathütte.
- Checkpoints: Passes high alpine huts including Neuberg Alm, Pitztaler Almenweg, and valley checkpoints.
- Checkpoint: Mandarfen Base (Loop 2 complete / Major drop bag point)
- Loop 3: Lake Rifflsee & Fuldaer Trail
- Sector: Climb up to the Sunna Alm / Rifflsee basin, traversing high technical singletracks along the valley walls toward Taschachhaus.
- Checkpoints: Sunna Alm, Taschachhaus.
- Checkpoint: Mandarfen Base (Loop 3 complete)
- Loop 4: The Final Valley Circuit
- Finish Sector: A final lower-elevation, high-tempo loop connecting nearby valley hamlets and alpine pastures before returning for the main finish arch at Mandarfen.
Key Race Cut-Off Points (Mandarfen Base)
Because the route uses Mandarfen as an axis, the race marshals enforce strict cut-off times at this central hub:
- P45 Cut-Offs: Typically ~14 hours total max time limit (e.g., intermediate Mandarfen transition around 10:45 AM, and final finish cutoff around 18:00–19:00 PM).
- P105 Cut-Offs: Generous ~30+ hour time window, but runners who do not clear the glaciated sector or intermediate loop checkpoints within specified windows are diverted to shorter distances or stopped for safety reasons.
🌐 Official Website
- Main Event Page: pitz-alpine.at / pitztal.com/en/salomon-pitz-alpine-glacier-trail.html
📱 Social Media Channels
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pitztal.Tirol
- Instagram: @pitz.alpine (also covered live via @goldentrailseries)
Results
Here are the official top results for the 2026 Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail (Mandarfen, Austria), the 4th stop of the Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) held on August 1, 2026.
🏃♂️ Men’s GTWS Race Podium
| Rank | Athlete | Team / Country | Time / Gap |
| 1st | Elhousine Elazzaoui | NNormal (MAR) | 2:08:44 |
| 2nd | Michael Selelo Saoli | Run2Gether On Trail (KEN) | +2:14 |
| 3rd | Patrick Kipngeno | Run2Gether On Trail (KEN) | +4:25 |
Highlights: Elhousine Elazzaoui broke away on the steep climb up toward the Sunna Alm Hut and expanded his lead on the technical descent back into Mandarfen, securing his third GTWS victory of the 2026 season.
🏃♀️ Women’s GTWS Race Podium
| Rank | Athlete | Team / Country | Time / Gap |
| 1st | Madalina Florea | Scott (ROU) | 2:32:16 |
| 2nd | Ruth Gitonga | Run2Gether On Trail (KEN) | +4:20 |
| 3rd | Naomi Lang | Salomon (GBR) | +4:31 |
Highlights: Madalina Florea dominated both the sprint and climb segments before pulling away on slopes exceeding 30% gradient, claiming her second GTWS win of the 2026 season following her earlier victory at the Québec Mega Trail.
📊 Course & Team Standings Overview
- Course Profile: 24.5 km with +1,618 m of elevation gain through the high-alpine terrain of Pitztal.
- Team Classification: Run2Gether On Trail took the top team spot, fueled by 2nd and 3rd place finishes in the men’s race, alongside 2nd and 5th place finishes in the women’s event.
