Trail races in Mongolia
Mongolia is the land of endless steppe, Gobi dunes and nomadic valleys. Trail running here means herders' tracks, volcanic lakes and larch forests, sleeping in yurt camps with nomadic life as the backdrop.
View race map
“Running the steppe and sleeping in yurts”
170 km
In 6 stages to Karakorum
~50
Runners from several nations
Terrain
Central Mongolia combines sand dunes, open steppe, larch forests and volcanic valleys with hot springs. There are no waymarked trails in the usual sense: you run on herders' tracks, with river crossings and a lot of open sky. Altitude sits around 1,200-2,000 m and logistics (yurt camps, transfers) are part of the experience.
Key areas
Climate & best season
Summer (July-August) is the trail season: sunny, warm days, cool nights and occasional afternoon storms. Winter is extreme, with temperatures far below zero.
Trail culture
Mongolia is one of the least densely populated countries in the world and keeps nomadic culture alive. Stage races cross the historic heart of the country to Karakorum, the former capital of the Mongol empire, among herds, yurts and monasteries such as Erdene Zuu.
Iconic races
Regions
Browse by category
All races
Top trail running gear for this country
Best-selling gear among mountain runners
Black Diamond
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
Ultralight carbon Z-pole foldable trekking poles. 137 g per pole in 110 cm length, 33 cm folded. EVA grip and adjustable strap. The trail running reference.
Hoka
Hoka Speedgoat 7
The best-selling trail shoe in the US and an absolute ultra-trail classic. Max Hoka cushioning, a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs for grip in mud and technical terrain, and a snug Matryx upper. Built to eat up kilometres without punishing your legs in long races.
Icebreaker
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis LS Crewe
Long-sleeve thermal top in 100% merino wool (200g). Natural temperature regulation, genuine multi-day odor resistance and a soft, non-itch handfeel from the fine merino yarn.
Altra
Altra Lone Peak 9
Trail running shoe with zero drop and wide FootShape toe box that allows natural toe splay. 25 mm stack with EGO foam for balanced cushioning without losing ground contact. MaxTrac outsole with 3.5 mm lugs, ideal for non-technical trails, forest tracks and long-distance paths.
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Gear up for the mountains
The right gear makes the difference on race day. Our comparison guides to choose well.
Swipe to see all 4 categories
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.