Trail running in Nepal is having a moment. The combination of spectacular scenery, varied terrain, and the growing infrastructure of the trekking industry has created conditions for a world-class trail running destination that most runners haven’t yet discovered.
The Best Routes
The Sarangkot ridge above Pokhara is our favourite local running route — a 20km loop with 1,200m of climbing and views that make it almost impossible to maintain pace. The Begnas Lake circuit offers flatter running through agricultural land and forest. For the adventurous, the Annapurna Trail Race course is marked and runable by fit trail runners in expedition style.
The Races
Nepal has a growing race calendar. The Manaslu Trail Race, the Annapurna Trail Race, and the Everest Trail Race are all established events with international participation. The Pokhara Trail Race is a newer local event that’s worth watching.
Running at Altitude
Above 3,000m, running physiology changes significantly. You will be slower. Your heart rate will be higher. Recovery will take longer. Respect the acclimatisation process. Start conservatively, drink more water than you think you need, and enjoy the fact that being slow at altitude still means you’re running at altitude in Nepal — which is extraordinary.
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