Trans Bhutan Trail
When?
- 11th – 27th November 2026
What?
- Stage Race
- 150 and 200 km
- Trail Running
- Hiking
Why?
- Getting to know a unique destination
- Supporting a country that is leading in environmental awareness
- Helping a region that is less travelled
- Acclimatisation combined with sightseeing before race
- Friends & family welcome to join in
The adventure of a lifetime, on the historic Trans Bhutan Trail.
The Trans Bhutan Trail is an ancient pilgrimage and communications route connecting Haa, in the far west of Bhutan, with Trashigang in the east. The Trail dates back at least to the 16th century and played a major role in uniting the region’s many kingdoms, repelling foreign incursions, and eventually in the birth of Bhutan as a nation in 1907. In 2018, with the vision of His Majesty, The Fifth King and supported by the Tourism Council of Bhutan, the Bhutan Canada Foundation led an initiative to restore the Trail to make it accessible once again for locals, pilgrims, and travellers.
The total length of the Trans Bhutan Trail is 403 kilometres, crossing 27 gewogs (villages) and nine Dzongkhags (districts) of Bhutan.
The Bhutan Ultra explores the eastern part of the trail, starting in Tsangkha and finishing in Trashigang. Athletes in the 200 km distance will overcome 11,000 m of positive elevation. All divided up in 6 stages. The race will start at an elevation of 2,278 m. Minimum and Maximum elevation will then vary quite a bit each day. Stage 3 will feature the highest elevation with participants reaching 3,775 m. Daily positive elevation ranges from 1,340 to 2,245 m. The 150 km is there for anyone wanting the full adventure but with the endurance elemented slightly reduced – basically shortening each daily stage by a bit to make it possible to slow down when needed. For more information on stage distances and elevation, please see below.
