HERO Südtirol Dolomites 2026 returns to the heart of the Dolomites
One of mountain biking’s most revered endurance tests will once again take centre stage this summer as the HERO Südtirol Dolomites returns for its 16th edition on 13 June 2026. Set against the dramatic limestone spires of the Dolomites, this iconic marathon event continues to define what it means to race long, climb hard and suffer beautifully on a mountain bike.
Starting and finishing in Selva Val Gardena at an altitude of 1,564 metres, the HERO Südtirol Dolomites sits firmly at the top table of global marathon racing. The event is not only renowned for its unforgiving courses and staggering scenery, but also for its role as the fourth round of the 2026 HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup. It is a race that attracts the very best elite athletes while remaining a bucket-list challenge for dedicated amateurs from around the world.
A race with true heritage
Since its debut in 2010, the HERO Südtirol Dolomites has built a reputation as one of the toughest mountain bike marathons on the planet. Its difficulty is often measured not just by distance or elevation alone, but by the brutal combination of both. The event’s kilometres to height metres ratio has long marked it out as a race that demands exceptional fitness, resilience and pacing.
That status has only grown in recent years. From 2025 onwards, the race has lent its name to the UCI marathon world cup series, underlining its importance on the international calendar. Looking further ahead, the Dolomites edition has also been selected to host the 2030 Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships, a clear statement of trust from the global governing body and further recognition of the event’s organisational strength.
Racing through a UNESCO World Heritage landscape
Few races can boast a setting quite like this. The HERO Südtirol Dolomites is staged in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an area celebrated for its unique geology, cultural history and outdoor sports tradition. Riders pass through the Ladin valleys of Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba and Val di Fassa, before tackling the wide open spaces of the Seiser Alm plateau.
The scenery is more than just a backdrop. Long alpine climbs, exposed ridgelines and technical descents are woven together into routes that demand constant focus. The terrain alternates between flowing sections and punishing gradients, with little opportunity for recovery. It is this relentless rhythm that makes the HERO such a defining challenge.
Three routes, one shared ambition
For 2026, the event offers three distinct courses, each designed to push riders to their limits. Elite men will contest the full marathon distance of 86km with 4,500 metres of climbing, a course that has consistently separated the strongest climbers from the rest. The elite women will race over 60km with 3,200 metres of elevation gain, a route that is shorter on paper but no less demanding in character.
Alongside the elite races, the medium course covers 71km and 4,100 metres of ascent. This option opens the HERO experience to a wider field while maintaining the race’s hallmark difficulty. Across all three routes, riders can expect long climbs, technical trail sections and challenging descents that reward skill as much as power.
More than just a race
What sets the HERO Südtirol Dolomites apart is not only the sporting challenge but the sense of occasion that surrounds it. Years of experience since 2010 have created a slick and reliable organisation, while the atmosphere in Selva Val Gardena during race weekend is charged with anticipation and respect for the task ahead.
Preparation, stamina and mental strength are essential, whether you are chasing world cup points or simply aiming to reach the finish line. Crossing that line, however, carries a special weight. For many, completing the HERO is as much a personal milestone as it is a result on a timing sheet.
As the 2026 edition approaches, the message is clear. The HERO Südtirol Dolomites remains not only one of the most spectacular mountain bike marathons in the world, but one of the most demanding. In a sport built on pushing limits, few events capture that spirit quite so completely.
