TURQUIE · Nevşehir Province
Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail: Running the UNESCO Volcanic Plateau, Measured
Informations clés
Distance
118 km
Date
Droit d’inscription
150 EUR
€ / km
€1.27
Fairy chimneys and canyon trails: surreal terrain, runnable paths, and huge tourism logistics in Cappadocia.
Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail® (CUT) is a 118.1 km trail race held in October in Nevşehir Province, central Turkey. The course covers 118.1 km with 3,824 m of gain (32.4 m/km) across volcanic tuff plateaus, canyon rims, and the trails of Göreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The course is a figure-8 from Ürgüp, with a life base at km 62. Loop 1 (daytime) passes through Uçhisar, Göreme, and Çavuşin — Cappadocia's most iconic terrain. Loop 2 is predominantly run at night: more technical, more remote, and including approximately 2 km through a shallow stream. The 7.86% average uphill gradient and 24.8% flat terrain make this a rolling, grindy effort — the majority of climbing falls in the 2–10% gradient band, with no single dominant mountain. Volcanic tuff soil resists turning to mud even after rain, a genuine differentiator from European mountain races. Entry costs €1.27/km; the nearest airport is Nevşehir Kapadokya (NAV), 52 minutes by road. Entry is fully refundable until October 1, 2026. Founded in 2016 (CUT distance), the race draws 25+ nationalities and is a UTMB 100M Series qualifier (Running Stones). It suits experienced trail runners who want serious UTMB 100M points, volcanic terrain unlike anything in Europe, and a course that runs partly through a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Élévation et Terrain
Mètres totaux
3,824m
D+/KM
32.4m/km
Pour référence, le Tor des Géants 330 km a 73 D+/km.
Pente montante moyenne
7.9%
Pente descendante moyenne
-8.1%
Distribution du gradient de montée
| 2–5% | 18.5 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 15.3 km | |
| 10–15% | 6.3 km | |
| 15–20% | 3.1 km | |
| 20%+ | 1.7 km |
Profil de parcours
AnalysedDétail du terrain
| 38% | Montée |
|---|---|
| 24.8% | Plat |
| 37.2% | Descente |
Terrain
Ascensions
Principales montées
| Rank | Length | Elevation gain | Start km | Average gradient | Max gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4.4 km · 365 m gain starts km 78 · avg 8.2% · max 53.2% | ||||
| 2 | 7.4 km · 313 m gain starts km 6 · avg 4.2% · max 18.3% | ||||
| 3 | 4.8 km · 284 m gain starts km 46 · avg 5.9% · max 44.7% |
Principales descentes
| Rank | Length | Elevation drop | Start km | Average gradient | Max gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7.3 km · 362 m drop starts km 14 · avg -4.9% · max -47.3% | ||||
| 2 | 4.9 km · 348 m drop starts km 105 · avg -7.1% · max -35.9% | ||||
| 3 | 3.3 km · 294 m drop starts km 83 · avg -9% · max -26.3% |
Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail: Running the UNESCO Volcanic Plateau, Measured
What Makes the CUT Different from Every Other 100M Qualifier?▼
Q: How hard is the Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail 118km? A: Moderate by 100M standards. At 32.4m/km, 24.8% flat, and 7.86% average uphill gradient, the gradient profile is rolling rather than Alpine. The real challenges are the temperature swing (0°C at the 07:00 start, potentially 22°C midday, cold again overnight in Loop 2), the 24-hour time limit, and the technical terrain of Loop 2 in darkness.
Course Profile — Figure-8 Through Göreme, Fairy Chimneys, and a Night Section You Won't Forget▼
Q: Is the Cappadocia Ultra-Trail a UTMB qualifier? A: Yes. The CUT 118.1km is a UTMB 100M Series qualifier (Running Stones category). ITRA points are also granted.
€1.27 per Kilometre and a Full Refund Policy — the CUT Entry Fee Explained▼
Q: How much does it cost to enter the Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail? A: €1.27 per kilometre. Current entry (May–August 2026) is €155, rising to €165 from August 5, 2026. Entry is fully refundable if cancelled before October 1, 2026 — an uncommon policy in trail running.
Getting There: Nevşehir, Ürgüp, and Why Cappadocia Is One of the Easiest Race Destinations in the World▼
Q: When does the 2026 Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail take place? A: The CUT starts at 07:00 on October 17, 2026, from Ürgüp city centre. The 24-hour time limit closes the race at 07:00 on October 18.
Fichiers de course
Logistique
Aéroport le plus proche
Nevşehir Kapadokya (NAV) / Kayseri (ASR)
Notes
Start: ~35–60 min (NAV) or ~60–90 min (ASR) to Ürgüp/Göreme area / Public transport: shuttles and buses available; car optional / Accommodation: very strong in Ürgüp/Göreme; book early (October)
