The hardest trail races in the world
42 upcoming across 27 countries
The toughest events we index, including races most people enter to survive rather than to place. Deep fields, brutal courses, or both.
Levels
Upcoming
The hardest trail races in the world: frequently asked questions
What is a good first trail race?
Look for a elite-level event with a generous cut-off and a course that suits your training. All 42 races listed here are rated elite, so any of them is a defensible starting point: pick on date and travel rather than on difficulty.
How many elite-level trail races are there?
42 upcoming, across 27 countries. That count changes as organisers open new dates and past events roll off.
What does elite level mean here?
We rate races from beginner to elite on course difficulty, cut-off generosity, distance and typical field depth. The filter is an exact match, not a ceiling: this page shows only the races we rate elite, so the tier you pick is the tier you get. Races we have not rated yet appear on the main browse pages instead.