Kaçkar by UTMB

On September 11-13, 2026, Kaçkar by UTMB returns to the heart of Türkiye’s wild northeast, where the Kaçkar Mountains rise steeply from deep valleys into cloud-brushed ridgelines. This is not just trail running—it’s a confrontation with altitude, weather, terrain, and self.

Kaçkar 100K is a course that feels closer to 100 miles than 100 kilometers. Stretching across roughly 82 kilometers with over 5,600 meters of elevation gain, it demands absolute respect for the mountains. Runners traverse high ridges, remote valleys, and 12 mountain villages, moving through emerald forests, roaring streams, and endless climbs above the clouds. This is not an ordinary ultra—it’s a true mountain test that pushes even seasoned trail runners to their limits.

Kaçkar 50K delivers a powerful mountain challenge without reaching the extreme edges of the 100K. With 44 kilometers and more than 3,000 meters of elevation gain, the route winds through dense forests, climbs toward the cloud-covered summit of Kaçkar Mountain, and passes through the historic highland plateaus of Hazindak and Samistal, where centuries-old stone houses stand against the elements. The terrain is demanding, the air sharp, and the scenery unforgettable.

Kaçkar 20K may be the shortest distance, but it offers no shortcuts. Forest roads, alpine meadows, rocky singletracks, and technical climbs combine with rapidly changing mountain weather. Each ascent reveals new perspectives, and the finish in Ayder delivers the pure satisfaction of earning every step in true mountain conditions.

Kaçkar by UTMB is not about chasing speed — it’s about earning passage through one of Türkiye’s most untamed landscapes.