The Bosque Trail is a paved path that flanks the Rio Grande in a lush river valley just north of Albuquerque. Correction: Runners will top out 1,000 feet above the lake on Hickory Nut Mountain and enjoy a long section of ridgeline in the trail’s eastern section. "One of my favorite runs is the Saulire," says Emily Sarsfield, Great Britain's current number one ski-X athlete. The route cuts through scenic canyons tucked between towering 2,000-foot sandstone cliffs, and you’ll get to enjoy slopes of bright-green pine and juniper popping against a backdrop of red and brown rock, hanging gardens, waterfalls, and unique sections of exposed trail. Our favorite option? Find more newsletters on our. Distance: 48.8 miles one way Jungle Marathon. Elevation Gain: 42,650 feet. Running in Belgium is one of the best ways to explore more of this region. If you know where to look, you can even spy points within Glacier National Park, just across the international border. Elevation Gain: 22,000 feet. Created with the help of Kristine Tompkins. Flow. Enjoy the grassy riverbanks, and watch boats cut across the smooth water. The ranch has been dubbed Jurassic Valley as it is was the location where the … This is perhaps the most luxurious run over 100 miles out there. With seven events to choose from, ranging from 15 to 171km in distance, as well as a team event at a total of 290km with 26,500m of ascent, there’s plenty here for all-comers in the French Alps. The route ends at the U.S. Capitol, which is sure to stoke your patriotism if it hasn’t been already. Twenty years later, the Transcarioca was born. He had a lot of experience hiking paths in the area, and his work as a flight attendant helped him scout it from the air. In the Pacific Northwest, there are multiple trails that circle the area’s volcanic giants, but the best may be the Timberline Trail, which loops 11,240-foot Mount Hood. And that’s what makes this list so special. The easy-to-follow trail passes alpine lakes, through fields of wildflowers and aspen trees, and offers vistas of the severe Maroon Peaks and thundering waterfalls, including one that tops out at nearly 200 feet. It used to be that 2.35-inch tires were considered relatively standard, but at the moment they tend to run in the 2.4-2.5-inch range on most trail bikes, or even 2.6-inch versions on wider rims. Bled, a picturesque Slovenian mountain town, looks more apt to grace the pages of a fairy tale than exist in reality. Looking for something else? Distance: 111 miles one way It and its castle sit right on the bucolic turquoise lake, and there’s even an island in the middle that’s home to a church only accessible by boat. Elevation Gain: 75 feet. HEEL-TO-TOE DROP (MM. It’s easy to see why it’s worthy of federal protection when you’re on the Copper Ridge Loop. The 14-mile Lagunas Altas Trail in the Aysén region’s Chacabuco Valley starts at West Winds Campground, which is not far from park headquarters, and provides sweeping views of the area’s mountains, the Northern Patagonian Ice Field, alpine lakes, dense forest, and rocky outcroppings. In 2000, the Greater Blue Mountains and their dense forest of eucalyptus trees became a Unesco World Heritage site. Whether you’re looking for a quick urban jaunt or a 100-plus-mile big-mountain ultra, there’s a bucket-list run in this roundup that’s calling your name. And if you’d rather tackle the footpath in a more organized fashion, the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs are held every July. It is 31km through the Swiss Alps and Kenyan runner Murigi has claimed the title three times, in 2015, 2017 and 2018, cementing her place among the best trail runners of the decade. Make sure to bring adequate layers for the passes, where a sunny day can quickly turn to snow, even in the summer. It should come as no surprise that this nearly 50-mile day mainly consists of either climbing up or going down, with a brief respite near the Colorado River. It is only about 8km in length, but still takes a couple of hours due to the heat and humidity. Distance: 36.7-mile loop These are the most beautiful trail races in the world 1. Elevation Gain: Flat. Making a financial contribution to Outside is not tax-deductible, but it will help pay for the writers, editors, fact-checkers, designers, and photographers that stories like these demand—and will ensure we can keep publishing them for years to come. FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA Located 7,000-feet above sea level and sporting a temperate summer climate, Flagstaff is home to some of the country’s best pro runners. 50k is one of our favourite distances … Surely one of the most beautiful places in the world, Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia is home to the Patagonian International Marathon, run in September. And to really soak in the route’s dramatic beauty, the trail also makes for a great, quick thru-hike. Distance: 34-mile loop 10 Best Trail Races In The World X-Terra Trail Run World Championship. Help fund our award-winning journalism with a contribution today. This run is best done on crisp fall mornings, as the cottonwood trees start to yellow and colorful hot-air balloons rise above you. It’s literally one of the things we do best. But beware: the route is lined with forests and signs warning people not to enter due to unexploded land mines, relics from the region’s wartime past. Elevation Gain: 1,020 feet. There’s a reason why ultra trail runs are becoming more popular by the year. Whilst you shouldn't expect an easy route, you can be assured that the landscape will be staggeringly handsome. Sure. The race is open to all, whether you’re looking to finish high up the order, in under 24 hours, or simply complete the course before the time limit is up, because the emphasis of the event is focused on competing with others instead of against them. Distance: 28-mile loop The routes run largely parallel to Lake Tahoe and skirt the smaller Marlette Lake, making the most of the hilly terrain en route. Distance: 12 miles one way There’s also a half marathon event, events for children, and a 5km race that packs in a cave, a descent of a small cliff, two creek crossings and a giant culvert. The 21K course on Kuala Ranch, a 4,000 acre working cattle ranch that’s served as the backdrop for movies like Jurassic World, Pearl Harbor and 50 … But for those ready for the lung-squeezing altitude, it also features a series of incredibly beautiful views through the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Start in Georgetown on the southern portion of the C&O Canal Trail, and follow the canal’s former towpath southeast past rows of Colonial-style homes to Rock Creek Park Trail. That’s not all, though. (Photo: Phillip Capper/Creative Commons), Distance: 1.3-mile loop The larger distance is governed by strict qualification times to help ensure completion and the two shorter distances are open to all via a ballot system. The Best Ultra Trail Runs In North America. Ice Age National Scenic Trail LaGrange, Wisconsin Waitomo Trail Run, New Zealand. The flat loop hugs the tree-lined lakeshore, passing beaches for swimming and waterfront restaurants for refueling. The Teton Crest’s 39 miles (depending on where you start) rarely drop below 8,000 feet and have the same amount of elevation gain. We hear from our audience every day about how much they love our long-form journalism. As the run drops from nearly 9,000 feet to less than 4,000 feet, it’s interesting to watch the topography change from a lush riparian environment to sandy desert. Huts, complete with bunks and mattresses, can be booked along the way if you’d prefer to linger over the views of Lake Te Anau and the Murchison Mountains or swim the route’s various lakes and beaches. It is, however, breathtakingly beautiful as you are surrounded by luscious greenery, within which sit howler monkeys. The Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, which was built over the past 10 to 15 years, curves through the Ouachita National Forest’s rolling mountain hills and stands of hardwood and pine. Patrick Gorski/NurPhoto/Getty Images Extending for 2,200 miles, the Appalachian Trail is billed as the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. The main event is 100km, with a shorter 50km positioned as a perfect introduction ultrarunning along the second half of the 100km course. ): 12 ALSO AVAILABLE IN: Waterproof SIZING: Runs large, we recommend sizing down ½ size; narrow toe box PROS: Supportive, stable, excellent traction, durable, rock plate (increased protection and durability in sole) The Trail Runner's Bucket List Safaricom Marathon, Kenya. Elevation Gain: 8,600 feet. If you run in Manhattan, it’s harder to see Manhattan. Elevation Gain: 9,737 feet. Located in Garden Route National Park, the area is strictly protected, and people often have to wait a year to reserve their spot as only 12 people can start the hike each day. Elevation Gain: Flat. Located on New Zealand’s South Island in famed Fiordland National Park, this loop provides a healthy dose of mileage across alpine ridgelines, through forest, and alongside tranquil, expansive lakes. Útilív Adventure Festival, Faroe Islands. Best Overall Trail Running Shoe 1. Created in 1612 by Marie de Medici, who was married to King Henry IV, the attraction is also home to some 100 statues, fountains, perfect grass, beautiful flowers, and the grand Luxembourg Palace. We’ve hand-picked 50k ultramarathon races held in a mixture of terrains and countries: wherever you live in the world, these are worth traveling for.It’s so exciting to see more and more great 50k ultrarunning races being introduced, and new distances being announced at existing trail running festivals. ), Distance: 3.7-mile loop This ultra circles the sparkling blue waters of expansive Lake Tahoe and offers stunning mountain vistas. The trail was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and mostly stays around tree line. Its December placing in the calendar makes it a perfect end-of-season celebration as well. You stand at its edge, staring down into the belly of the earth, before dropping 5,000 feet to the bottom to explore the changing landscape in detail. The paths are shaded by a canopy of trees, so it’s a great place for avoiding the sun during warmer months. But as a professional travel writer and (sometimes masochistic) runner, I have a pretty good idea of what places belong below. The event bookends the Skyrunner series in October, so it’s a perfect last hurrah in the northern hemisphere before winter, or can be a tester ahead of a season of racing the following year. (Photo: Martin Moscosa/Creative Commons), Distance: 31 miles one way And today the 42km event forms part of the elite Skyrunner World Series. (Photo: Canadianhockey91/Wikimedia Commons Bonus: you’ll even cross the Chilliwack River via two-seater cable car. Double Dipsea. If you run in Manhattan, it’s harder to see Manhattan. The run is worth a trip by itself, but it also makes for a great pit stop on the Carretera Austral, a scenic road that’s long drawn bikers and road-trippers. Along the way, you’ll find diverse plant life, reservoirs, waterfalls, and stunning views. But beyond its health and mental benefits, what keeps us coming back is the sheer variety of routes out there waiting for us to lace up. Created with the help of Kristine Tompkins, CEO of Patagonia, and her late husband Doug, who cofounded the North Face, the newly minted Patagonia National Park protects over two million acres of land. Modest elevation changes, no rocks, Multiple loops so aid and support are always coming up soon. This month, we’re considering which ultra marathons are the best in the world in 2020, and this week we turn our attention to the birthplace of trail running: the United States. Setting yourself a goal is often the key to staying motivated and getting the most out of your exercise routine. From Victoria Peak, you can soak up panoramas of Victoria Harbor and Kowloon, the mainland portion of the city. Whether it’s running through town, jogging alongside a river or churning your way up a picturesque mountain, these are 10 of the best cities in the world for trail running. The best trail running shoes are designed for use on terrain that varies from roots and rocks to dirt and mud, so they are also the perfect footwear for urban or suburban runs … (Photo: Gonzalo Lastra/Wikimedia Commons), Distance: 14-mile loop Elevation Gain: 1,438 feet. Cushioning: Maximum Drop: 4mm What we like: Standout comfort and traction in a lightweight package. A truly unique race in New Zealand’s North Island that goes overground then... 3. Patagonian International Marathon, Chile. The trailhead is about 3.5 hours from Seattle, and the singletrack route winds 34 miles through dense forest, across ridgelines, and through a lush river valley. 01. Maroon Snow­mass Trail, Crest­ed Butte Col­orado in the Spring-Time Bring a stur­dy set of lungs, bring your cam­era, and camp near­by because this 11-mile trail is one to take your time on. Please support Outside Online today. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Thanks for signing up! These California trails have beautiful views of the Dipsea. Or does your mind drift to the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside? Otter Trail, Garden Route, Western Cape (42km). BEST SUPPORTIVE TRAIL RUNNERS FOR RUGGED BACKCOUNTRY TRIPS. Hopping on the Coastal Trail at Rodeo Beach and taking it up into the hills along the Pacific into the Tennessee Valley, ending at Muir Beach. To inspire active participation in the world outside through award-winning coverage of the sports, people, places, adventure, discoveries, health and fitness, gear and apparel, trends and events that make up an active lifestyle. Another event on the Skyrunner World Series programme, the Limone Extreme Skyrace is 29km long with 2,500m of climbing to overcome. Elevation Gain: 11,400 feet. In 1968, a nearly century-long effort to designate this rugged region as a national park was finally realized with President John F. Kennedy’s signature. To put this together, I relied on personal experience as well as recommendations from equally dedicated runner friends and colleagues. The peak itself rises over 7,000 feet, a jagged limestone gem for area mountaineers, and the landscape between Prenj and Vran displays some of the best of Bosnia’s rugged high alpine. The Faroe Islands, an archipelago between Iceland and Norway and some 300km... 2. Expect a well-maintained and easy-to-follow path that changes from gravel to rock and dirt. The route crosses both the Sierra Nevada and the Carson Range, through forests of ponderosa pine, past smaller lakes, and across ridgelines with sweeping views. The Otter Trail Run is held in October. And you won’t want to forget a camera. When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission. The 1.3-mile loop around the perimeter of the gardens is the shortest route on our list, but you’d be remiss not to zigzag through the paths bisecting the grounds. The road to Prenj Massif is a great place to start. Head to Oahu for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championships. Elevation Gain: 6,292. To the east, the Sandia Mountains dominate the horizon at over 10,000 feet. THE MULLET HAUL, JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. Last year, a framed photo of a skinny guy in a mullet flexing his muscles ( ccprc.com) RIVER, ROOTS & RUTS TRAIL RUN, ALVA, FLA. A wooden hog mounted on a slab of oak salvaged from Hurricane Katrina ( … Distance: 5.9 miles one way The 21km half marathon course makes up the official championship race, while the 10km and 5km trail events and adventure walk ensure that athletes of all abilities are welcome. Paul Mitchell XTERRA Trail Run World Championship, Oahu.