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Hells Hills Trail Race
- Date
- Saturday, April 3, 2027
Apr 03 Saturday, 2027
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When and where is Hells Hills Trail Race?
Hells Hills Trail Race is on Saturday, April 3, 2027 in Smithville, Texas. The first event starts at 6:30 AM local time. Distances: kids run, 1 Mile, 10K, 25K, ultra, trail run and Ruck. Current entry fees run $10 to $130 on RunSignup, before processing fees. Online registration is open and closes Apr 3, 2027.
Hells Hills race guide
Hells Hills is a long-running Tejas Trails race at Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville, near Bastrop, on Saturday, April 3, 2027, with 50-mile, 50K, 25K, 10K, ruck and youth races. The single-track winds through pines, wildflower fields, bridges and stream crossings, with lots of short, steep hills but no long climbs.
- Venue
- Rocky Hill Ranch, Smithville
- 50 mile
- 3 × 16.67-mile laps
- 50 mile start
- 6:30 a.m.
- Last-lap cutoff
- 4:30 p.m.
- Course close
- 9:30 p.m.
- Camping
- On site
Hells Hills FAQ
When and where is Hells Hills?
Saturday, April 3, 2027, at Rocky Hill Ranch, 578 FM 153, Smithville. Starts are 6:30 a.m. for the 50 mile, 7 for the 50K, 7:30 for the 25K and 25K ruck, 8 for the 10K and 10K ruck, and 10:30 for the youth 1-mile; early starts aren’t allowed.
How much does Hells Hills cost?
Current RunSignup entry fees, before processing fees: Hells Hills - 50mi $130 ($140 from January 4); Hells Hills - 50km $117 ($127 from January 4); Hells Hills - 25k Ruck $102 ($112 from January 4); Hells Hills - 25k $97 ($107 from January 4); Hells Hills - 10k Ruck $80 ($85 from January 4); Hells Hills - 10k $75 ($80 from January 4). Prices in parentheses are the next RunSignup tier.
What is the Hells Hills course like?
Single-track with bridges, stream crossings, pine trees and wildflower fields, and many short steep hills but no long climbs or descents. The 10K and 25K are one lap, the 50K two 15.5-mile laps and the 50 mile three 16.67-mile laps.
What are the Hells Hills cutoffs?
You must be on your last lap by 4:30 p.m., and the course closes at 9:30 p.m. Gun time is official.
What aid is at Hells Hills?
Two full aid stations plus the start/finish “Saloon” and a self-support station, so supplies come every 2.8–4.5 miles. It’s cupless (collapsible cups $7). Drop bags go at the start/finish only.
Can you have a pacer at Hells Hills?
50-mile runners can have a pacer for the final lap; runners 60 and older may have one the whole 50K or 50 mile. Pacer registration is free and required, one pacer at a time, with no carrying supplies.
Where is Hells Hills packet pickup?
Friday 4:30–7 p.m. and Saturday 5:30–10 a.m. Friday also has a 6 p.m. shakeout run and a $15 crawfish boil at 6:30.
Can you camp at Hells Hills?
Yes, camping is available on the ranch, and parking is in the grass field left of the entrance.
What are the Hells Hills ruck rules?
Packs of at least 20 pounds for ruckers under 150 pounds and 30 pounds over 150. Every ruck finisher gets a patch and a finisher medal. Runners 19 and under get a 15–20% discount on races of 10 miles or less.
Race facts checked November 9, 2026 against Tejas Trails: Hells Hills, RunSignup: Hells Hills and Tejas Trails race policies. Entry fees come from RunSignup. Always confirm details with the race before you travel.
Events & distances
| Event | Distance | Start | Entry fee | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hells Hills - 50mi | 50 Miles | Apr 3, 2027, 6:30 AM | $130.00 until Jan 3, 2027 | Opens Jun 3, 2026 · Closes Apr 3, 2027 |
| Hells Hills - 50km | 50K | Apr 3, 2027, 7:00 AM | $117.00 until Jan 3, 2027 | Opens Jun 3, 2026 · Closes Apr 3, 2027 |
| Hells Hills - 25k | 25K | Apr 3, 2027, 7:30 AM | $97.00 until Jan 3, 2027 | Opens Jun 3, 2026 · Closes Apr 3, 2027 |
| Hells Hills - 25k Ruck | 25K | Apr 3, 2027, 7:30 AM | $102.00 until Jan 3, 2027 | Opens Jun 3, 2026 · Closes Apr 3, 2027 |
| Hells Hills - 10k | 10K | Apr 3, 2027, 8:00 AM | $75.00 until Jan 3, 2027 | Opens Jun 3, 2026 · Closes Apr 3, 2027 |
| Hells Hills - 10k Ruck | 10K | Apr 3, 2027, 8:00 AM | $80.00 until Jan 3, 2027 | Opens Jun 3, 2026 · Closes Apr 3, 2027 |
| Hells Hills - Youth 1-Mile Trail Run (12 & under) | 1 Miles | Apr 3, 2027, 10:30 AM | $10.00 until Jan 3, 2027 | Opens Jun 3, 2026 · Closes Apr 3, 2027 |
Fees shown are the RunSignup price tier in effect now, before processing fees. Times are local to the race.
About Hells Hills Trail Race
Saturday, April 3, 2027.
This event hosts a deceivingly tough course, at a really easy to get to venue. With 2 loops for the 50km, and one fun loop for the 25km and 10km races. If you're fast, come test yourself against the best trail runners in the country.
If you are looking for your first trail run or to go further than ever before, come out and enjoy this beautiful course with stream crossings, pine trees, hill country flowers, and a whole lot of fun passionate folks waiting to help you reach your goal. For many, this long-standing event has become an annual occurrence that has really become a reunion of friends. We'll be out all weekend and in no hurry to leave. Especially if the wildflowers are popping.
While every racer will get some cool swag, March 9 is the deadline to get a shirt.
Click Here for Tejas Trails Policies (you really do want to know this stuff!)
Description provided by the race organizer via RunSignup.
Race data provided by RunSignup and refreshed every morning(last sync Nov 12, 2026). Registration happens on RunSignup; Lone Star Strides may earn a referral commission at no cost to you. Always confirm dates and details on the official race page.
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