The 2026 Ortles Haute Route Trail will be held for the first time in Bormio: a 120-kilometer race between Lombardy and Alto Adige.

One hundred and twenty kilometers of trail, 9.000 meters of elevation gain, and a route that passes through some of the most spectacular Alpine landscapes, connecting Lombardy and Alto Adige. These are the numbers and characteristics of the Ortles Haute Route Trail 2026 , the new mountain running competition that will debut on September 11th and 12th, starting and finishing in the historic center of Bormio. The first edition was presented at Palazzo Lombardia in the presence of Federica Picchi, Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Region with responsibility for Sport and Youth.

The event was created with the ambition of becoming a key event for trail running enthusiasts, while also promoting the natural and touristic heritage of the Stelvio National Park. The longest race will be the heart of the event, but the program also includes two more accessible distances, 35 and 12 kilometers, designed to engage athletes of all fitness levels.

Two days of competitions and over 500 competitors already registered

The event is scheduled for Friday, September 11th and Saturday, September 12th, 2026. Two hundred bibs have already been assigned for the 120-kilometer main race , while over 300 competitors have chosen the two shorter distances. Registration for the 35-kilometer and 12-kilometer races is still open, confirming the interest this new event has generated.

Don't miss the latest news from La Milano: Add us to your favorite sources on Google in just one click.

The three races will offer different experiences, all sharing an alpine dimension and the need to tackle terrain that requires preparation, effort management, and attention to mountain conditions. Even the shorter distances, while shorter than the ultra trail, are designed as challenging competitions and not simply as approach routes.

The ultimate test: 120 kilometers and 9.000 meters of altitude difference

The main route will be 120 kilometers long with 9.000 meters of elevation gain, connecting the Lombardy and South Tyrolean sides of the Ortler massif. The route largely follows the Alta Via Ortler, a high-mountain trail that passes through the Stelvio National Park and offers a succession of passes, refuges, and landscapes of great scenic value.

The start and finish will be located in the historic center of Bormio, which will become the logistical and symbolic hub of the event. This choice allows for a combination of sporting experiences and exploration of the surrounding area, taking athletes from the streets of the town to the high-altitude landscapes and back to the heart of the Valtellina town.

Three passes above 3.000 meters and the crossing of the glacier

Making the race particularly challenging are three passes located above 3.000 meters. Athletes will tackle the Zebrù Pass, at 3.005 meters , the Casati Refuge, at 3.269 meters , and the Madriccio Pass, at 3.123 meters . These points contribute to the technical and highly alpine character of the competition.

Added to these elements is the glacier crossing, a feature that distinguishes the route from many other trail running races. The altitude, elevation gain, and varied terrain will require participants to carefully manage their energy levels and have adequate mountain running experience, especially along the most challenging distance.

Federica Picchi: "The Lombardy Region believed in the project from the beginning."

Undersecretary Federica Picchi emphasized the sporting and regional significance of the initiative, noting the support provided by the Lombardy Region from the project's earliest stages.

"The Lombardy Region," stated Undersecretary Picchi, "has believed in the Ortles Haute Route Trail from the very beginning. With its 200 athletes competing in the long-distance race and over 300 in the two 'little sisters,' it confirms the strong momentum of mountain running. This high-altitude challenge passes through iconic locations, the Ortles and the Stelvio National Park, and brings its center back to Bormio, an Olympic venue and symbol of sporting excellence. The race was born from the dream of Marco De Gasperi, a global trail icon, who transformed a route into a high-level professional competition. The Lombardy Region is proud to have actively supported this project since its inception, which has now become a reality for the benefit of so many enthusiasts."

Marco De Gasperi's project, from dream to competition

The Ortles Haute Route Trail is the brainchild of Marco De Gasperi , an athlete from Bormio and an international figure in mountain and trail running. The project transforms an Alpine route into a structured competition, aiming to combine technical prowess, competitive experience, and landscape enhancement.

De Gasperi's connection to Bormio and the Stelvio mountains is one of the event's defining characteristics. The first edition represents the transition from the vision of a route to the creation of an event capable of attracting hundreds of athletes, offering them a challenge built around the authentic characteristics of the Alpine environment.

The Stelvio National Park as a sporting and natural heritage

The entire route is designed within the Stelvio National Park, one of the most important natural settings in the Alps. The decision to largely follow the Alta Via Ortles allows the event to showcase a region through sporting activities, connecting competitive aspects with environmental and tourism benefits.

The organizers' goal goes beyond the two-day race. Trail running is seen as a way to publicize a route accessible during the summer season, including for hikers and trekkers, depending on mountain conditions and the skills required to tackle the various sections. The competition thus becomes an opportunity to promote informed exploration of the area and its outdoor opportunities.

Bormio, an Olympic territory and a destination for top-class sport

The event strengthens Bormio's role as a destination linked to sport and the mountains. The Valtellina town, protagonist of the Olympic route of Milano Cortina 2026 continues to invest in its sporting identity through events that enhance the area even outside the winter season.

The Ortles Haute Route Trail fits into this vision, offering an experience that combines competition, tourism, and the promotion of natural beauty. The start and finish in the historic center will also help create a direct connection between the race and the local community, engaging the tourism industry and local businesses during the event.

The presentation at Palazzo Lombardia and the event's partners

The official presentation was attended by Undersecretary Federica Picchi, Samanta Antonioli , Councilor of the Municipality of Bormio for Sport, Tourism, and Major Events, and Marco De Gasperi , the event's creator. The presence of local and regional institutions highlighted the shared nature of the project and the desire to support a new initiative dedicated to the mountains.

Gloria Robuschi of La Sportiva , the event's main technical sponsor, and Cristian Longoni of Garmin also participated . The involvement of partners specializing in outdoor sports accompanies the birth of a competition that aims to offer professional organization and to build, from the first edition, its own recognition in the trail running scene.

Previous 1 di 3 The next