Vertical Pin

A breathtaking climb in the heart of the Maddalene

The Vertical Pin is one of the most evocative mountain running races in western Trentino. It is a vertical, meaning a pure uphill race: just five kilometers, but with 1,390 meters of elevation gain that participants tackle in one go. The start is in the center of the small Municipality of Bresimo (at an altitude of about 1,030 meters), in the picturesque Val di Non, in the province of Trento; the finish line is at the summit of Monte Pin, at 2,420 meters, one of the panoramic balconies of the Maddalene mountain group, on the border between Trentino and South Tyrol.

The course

The route winds along hiking-type mountain trails (E), with short sections reserved for expert hikers (EE). The gradient is constant and severe: good physical preparation is required, as is maximum caution on the more technical and steep sections. There is a single refreshment point along the route, located halfway up the climb. The descent, for those who wish to return on foot, follows the SAT 131 trail.

• Distance: 5 km
• Elevation gain: 1,390 m
• Start: Bresimo (approx. 1,030 m)
• Finish: Summit of Monte Pin (2,420 m)
• Time limit: 3 hours

A history dating back to 2016

The first edition—the "zero" edition—took place in May 2016, with over 180 participants at the start, and since then the race has become a fixed late-spring appointment for skyrunning enthusiasts. The race is part of the Maddalene Sky Marathon circuit, the premier running event in the area, and is organized by the A.S.D. Maddalene Sky Marathon, based at the Maddalene tourist office in Rumo, together with the volunteers of the Pro Loco of Bresimo.

Much more than just a race

Vertical Pin is not just a sporting challenge. It is an opportunity to discover a little-known and still authentic corner of Trentino, amidst woods, mountain huts, and panoramas that sweep across the Brenta Dolomites and the surrounding valleys. The day concludes with a convivial moment involving athletes, supporters, and spectators: a community lunch in the multipurpose hall and the awards ceremony, in the true spirit of a village festival. An event that combines mountain sports with the popular traditions of the Bresimo community and the Trentino-South Tyrol region.