Ultra Trail Stara Planina

The longest and most challenging ultra trail race in Serbia is back! We are combining the 130 km and 94 km routes! Incredible landscapes, a serious challenge set at an altitude of 2,000 meters. We've extended it by that one kilometer to complete the distance that we couldn't hold in 2020 and 2023. The route to Plaža (first 4 km) is the same. You can use water; there is no refilling at Plaža. After that, you join the well-known gravel road leading to Midžor uphill, the highest peak of Stara Planina, where KT-1 is located. So, from Plaža, you separate from colleagues with 64 km who go to Topli Dol. Refreshment is available 4 km before Midžor (9 km into the race – water and sweets, no refilling, only limited consumption). At this point, you turn left towards Vučje jame. You climb along the border of Midžor to KT-1 at 13 km (control only) and continue along the ridge and narrow goat paths above 1,800 meters above sea level to the impressive peak of Vražija glava. Along this path, there are sources and streams with drinking water in several places. When you reach Vražija glava, you don't go to Beleđe but continue towards Tri čuke, where a "living intersection" awaits you. You descend to Međa planina in Belčin dolu, where KT-2 is at 33 km. Refreshment awaits you there. You continue towards Arbinj and Dojkinci, there is water everywhere, and you go on a strong path to KT-3 Dojkinci at 45 km into the race. So, straight ahead, there is no more Sinošćir, and you don't climb towards Klisura from there. The limit in Dojkinci is 11 hours from the start. The mountain hut, drop-bag, massage, hot food, refreshments, and you can go to Ponor (a part of the trail where runners descended on the 130 km race last year). To reach KT-4 Klisura at 52 km, where water and sweets await you. There is no more Dabidžin potok, so from Klisura, you continue uphill towards Stražna čuka and emerge directly onto Koprenski plato (a trail from the first edition of 24h Koprena, where you will also enter a longer trail). You pass by the source Tri kladenca, where you can replenish, and pass along a narrow border path towards Tri čuke. There, a "living intersection" awaits you again; you descend for the second time into Belčin dolu, where KT-5 is at 64 km. The limit is 15 hours from the start; you have refreshments again. You climb to Beleđe and from there on a wide gravel road to Topli Dol, where KT-6 is at 85 km. The limit is 20 hours from the start. From there, you have 10 km to KT-7 at Plaža, where water and food await you (95 km into the race). Another approximately 5 km to the finish over Babin zub. Time limits: KT3 – Dojkinci 18:00 (11 hours from the start) KT5 – Belčin dol 2:00, 22:30 (15 and a half hours from the start) KT6 – Topli Do 3:00, Sunday morning, May 26 (20 hours from the start) Finish – Jabučko ravnište 6:00, Sunday morning, May 26 (23 hours from the start) Important note, on this race, you can withdraw at KT-3, KT-5, and KT-6 (controls with time limits)! ITRA rating 4 (mountain 6), and the race earns points according to the new UTMB system.

Favorite race among sky runners! All those who want to do their first ultra or simply enjoy Stara Planina should not miss this trail. This distance is twice as easy as the sky race, but it should not be underestimated. The race starts on May 25, 2024 (Saturday) from Jabučko ravnište (Stara Planina hotel) at 7 am with a 100 km race. The trail is the same as in the last edition. The path takes you through the ski slope over the top of Babin zub, where there is a 2.5 km ascent at the start. The descent also goes down the ski slope past the Plaža restaurant, where there is no control at the first pass. You can use water, no refilling. After that, you join the dirt road that leads downhill to Topli Do, where KT-1 is located, 14 km from the start (refreshment, validation). Then you head towards Beleđe, where there is now only a "live intersection," and descend into Belčin dol, where the main "life base" in the mountain is located. It is KT-2 at 33 km, so get ready for a long stretch. At that checkpoint, the limit is 8 hours from the start. You have a drop bag, refreshment, hot food. From there, you go uphill to Međa planina and emerge below the peak of Tri čuke, where there is a "live intersection," and you go left towards Vražija glava and continue along the ridge and narrow goat paths above 1,800 m above sea level to the impressive Midžor, where KT-3 is at 53 km. Refreshment is another 1.5 km away. On that path, you have sources and streams with drinking water in several places (between Vražija glava and Midžor). After that, you go down the well-known and wide path towards Plaža, where KT-4 is at 59 km. At KT-4, you have water and food, and it's less than 5 km to the finish – Stara Planina hotel / Jabučko ravnište. The limit is 14 hours from the start. Time limits: KT-2 – Belčin dol 15:00 (8 hours from the start) KT-4 – Plaža 20:00 (13 hours from the start) Finish – Jabučko ravnište 21:00 (14 hours from the start) **Important note, on this race, you can withdraw at KT-2!

The toughest race, a trail with an ISF certificate. A true sky race with sections where only 4x4 can pass. Technical sections, long ascents. Think carefully, this is a real challenge, sharp limits await you. A total of 33.6 km with 2,300 m ascent and descent. The start is planned for May 25, 2024 (Saturday) from Jabučko ravnište (Stara Planina hotel) at 8 am, one hour after the start of the 64 and 100 km races. The path takes you through the ski slope over Babin zub, and at the start, there is a 2.5 km ascent. The descent also goes down the ski slope past the Plaža restaurant. There is no control here. After that, you join the ski slope that leads down to the left, vertically. At the bottom of the ski slope Konjarnik, you exit onto asphalt, but immediately turn into the forest. There will be a spring on this section, use it. You exit at the pass from the coniferous forest, where there is a view of Žarkova čuka, Dupljak, sections, and descend into Kozarnica where KT-1 is at 8 km (the limit is until 9:45). You continue on a macadam road that turns into goat paths and winds between conifers. You have the longest ascent on this trail (960 m ascent) and exit at Žarkova čuka where KT-2 is located (12 km). There is water, and the limit is until 11:00 (3 hours from the start). From there, you go on a macadam road towards Midžor, and then turn left onto a goat path towards Vučje jame. From there, you go to the top of Dupljak (the only peak over 2,000 m above sea level besides Midžor) where you have a slightly more challenging terrain with rocks. At Dupljak (2,034 m above sea level), KT-3 is at 18 km. No water, no refreshment. Only control! The limit is 12:30, i.e., 4 hours and 30 minutes from the start. After that, you descend again towards Vučje jame and approach Midžor along the border path. It's a strong and serious ascent after Dupljak. At Midžor (2,169 m above sea level), KT-4 is at 23 km. While there is water, fruit, and sweets 1.5 km from there below the peak of Tupanar. No refilling. From there, you descend towards Žarkova čuka and Plaža on a macadam road where KT-5 is at 29 km. The limit is until 15:15, i.e., 7 hours and 15 minutes from the start. At KT-5 – Plaža, you have water and sweets. You turn towards the mountain lodge. So, you don't take the ski slope where you came from. On the way, you come across a spring, where you can refill (recommended if it's hot). You quickly exit onto asphalt and parking, follow the markings (there will be a "live intersection") above the hotel and lodge. You go directly through the rocky gorge of Babin zub, where a mini technical section awaits you. When you reach the top, you see the finish (hotel) and ski down to the finish – Jabučko ravnište (Stara Planina hotel). Time limits: KT-1 – Kozarnica 9:45 (1 hour and 45 minutes from the start) KT-2 – Žarkova čuka 11:00 (3 hours from the start) KT-3 – Dupljak 12:30 (4 hours and 30 minutes from the start) KT-5 – Plaža 15:15 (7 hours and 15 minutes from the start) Finish – Jabučko ravnište 16:00 (8 hours from the start) ITRA 2 points, track rating (mountain 8)