Albania · Shkodër County (Fushë-Arrëz Municipality)
Distance
40 km
Date
Entry fee
€25
€ / km
€0.63
New date pending
This race has already occurred. A new date for next year’s edition is pending.
The Migrant Trail Race 40km -- the Kryeziu Waterfall Trail -- is a 40km mountain course based in Fushë-Arrëz, Shkodër County, in the Albanian Alps (Bjeshkët e Namuna, or the Accursed Mountains). Founded in 2025, 2026 is its second edition. At €25 entry (€0.625/km), it is one of the most affordable mountain trail races in Europe. The course gains 1,249m D+ (31.2 m/km) across 40km with 24.9% flat terrain and a distance-weighted average uphill gradient of 10.4% -- an accessible profile by European mountain standards.
Three long, sustained climbs (4-9km each) average 4-5.6% gradient rather than steep explosive ascents. The course is named for the Kryeziu Waterfall, the route's defining scenic landmark. The two largest climbs are long ridge traverses through pre-alpine forest reaching 1,300-1,500m. Fushë-Arrëz sits at 450m; ridge sections are significantly cooler. August brings valley heat and the possibility of afternoon mountain storms. The Albanian Alps are one of Western Europe's most remote and least-covered mountain ranges. For adventurous trail runners seeking an off-grid race at low cost, the Migrant Trail Race 40km is a genuine entry point into unexplored European mountain running territory.
Total Meters
1,249m
D+/KM
31.2m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
10.4%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-10.2%
| 2–5% | 3.9 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 4.7 km | |
| 10–15% | 2.1 km | |
| 15–20% | 1.4 km | |
| 20%+ | 1.7 km |
| 37.2% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 24.9% | Flat |
| 37.9% | Downhill |
| 1 | 8.6 km · 486 m gain starts km 14 · avg 5.6% · max 53.9% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 9.3 km · 374 m gain starts km 1 · avg 4.0% · max 35.3% |
| 3 | 4.4 km · 244 m gain starts km 29 · avg 5.6% · max 38.9% |
| 1 | 7.7 km · 465 m drop starts km 21 · avg -6.0% · max -37.0% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3.6 km · 340 m drop starts km 33 · avg -9.4% · max -29.6% |
| 3 | 3.4 km · 287 m drop starts km 11 · avg -9.0% · max -31.9% |
The Migrant Trail Race is a multi-distance trail running event based in Fushë-Arrëz, Shkodër County, in Albania's Albanian Alps (Bjeshkët e Namuna -- the Accursed Mountains). It was founded in 2025 and offers distances from 10km to 100km. The 40km distance is named the Kryeziu Waterfall Trail, after the scenic waterfall that serves as the course's defining landmark. The race carries a cultural and social mission connected to Albania's migration history and mountain heritage. 2026 is its second edition.
Accessible by European mountain trail standards. The course gains 1,249m D+ over 40km (31.2 m/km) with a distance-weighted average uphill gradient of 10.36% and 24.9% flat terrain. The three main climbs are long and gradual (4-9km each, averaging 4-5.6% gradient) rather than steep and explosive. DTR database ranks: AvgUphill 255/~390 (mid-lower tier), AvgDownhill 132/~390 (gentler half). It suits trail runners with solid aerobic fitness who may not yet have extensive technical mountain experience. The August heat and the remote Albanian terrain add adventure difficulty that the gradient data alone does not capture.
€25 standard entry (€0.625/km) -- one of the most affordable mountain trail races in Europe. No additional administrative fees were noted in the registration process. Registration is open and not sold out for the 2026 edition (August 8, 2026).
August 8, 2026. The start time for the 40km is unconfirmed -- the 60km distance starts at 05:00; the 40km may have a later start. Verify on the official site at migranttrailrace.run before booking travel. The race is based in Fushë-Arrëz, Shkodër County, Albania.
Tirana International Airport (TIA) is the nearest airport. Airtable lists 123 minutes transfer time, but the actual drive to Fushë-Arrëz is closer to 3-3.5 hours by car via Shkodër and Pukë. Public transport is limited -- a bus toward Shkodër or Pukë is feasible but will require a taxi or transfer for the final leg. A rental car from Tirana is strongly recommended. Accommodation options in Fushë-Arrëz are limited to small guesthouses; Shkodër may be a more practical base for pre- and post-race stays.
Nearest airport
Tirana (TIA)
Notes
Start: ~3–3.5 hrs drive to Fushë-Arrëz / Public transport: limited; likely bus toward Shkodër/Pukë + taxi last-mile. PENDING OUR INTERVIEW, we will verify the last-mile logistics, and look at recommendations for accommodation in the small guesthouses/hotels in the Fushë-Arrëz/Pukë area.
FAR
It’ll possibly take 3+ hours from the closest large airport to arrive. Plan your adventure accordingly, take an extra day for those after-race beers or Curranz.
Ibiza Trail Maratón 48 km
Exclusive Discount - use ITMF-DISCOVERTRAIL26 CODE for 50% at checkout
