Cappadocia hosts Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail on 17 October
Published on 10/18/2026 at 04:39 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Cappadocia hosted the Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail from 16 to 18 October 2026, with the main race starting on 17 October in Ürgüp. The event’s routes crossed the valleys and hills around Göreme in central Turkey, bringing a scheduled trail-running programme to the UNESCO-listed landscape.
Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail ran through Göreme
The organiser’s programme placed the races between 16 and 18 October 2026. The longest course started in Ürgüp city centre at 7am on 17 October and returned to Ürgüp after passing through Cappadocia’s valleys and plateaux.
The programme also listed an expo in Ürgüp Square on 15, 16, 17 and 18 October, alongside registration, race information and events connected with the competition. The official event programme identified Göreme as a checkpoint on one route and as part of the wider course network.
The event was organised by Argeus Travel & Events. A report by Hürriyet Daily News described the 2026 edition as running from 16 to 18 October, with routes passing through Uçhisar, Göreme and Çavu?in. Its report on the route through Göreme also named four race distances.
Cappadocia’s UNESCO landscape shaped the course
The race took place in a region of volcanic terrain shaped by erosion into ridges, valleys and pinnacles. The landscape includes rock-hewn churches, troglodyte villages and underground towns, elements that distinguish the course from an urban road race.
UNESCO lists Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia as a World Heritage property. The property extends between Nev?ehir, Ürgüp and Avanos and includes the Göreme valley and surrounding rock sanctuaries. The UNESCO description of the property places both the natural formations and the historic rock-cut settlements within the protected area.
That setting gave the October 2026 programme a specific connection to the landmark: Göreme was not simply a nearby base, but a named checkpoint on the trail. Travellers following the event could therefore encounter the same valleys as part of a sporting route rather than through a standard sightseeing itinerary.
Visiting Cappadocia: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail took place from 16 to 18 October 2026, with races starting in Ürgüp and routes passing through Göreme.
- Only registered runners could participate in the races. The public programme included an expo in Ürgüp Square and an awards ceremony on 18 October 2026.
- Cappadocia lies in central Turkey, with Ürgüp and Göreme among the named places on the event routes. The official language is Turkish and the national currency is the Turkish lira.
- The terrain consists of eroded valleys, hills, rock pinnacles and steep ascents. The organiser required runners to carry equipment suited to changing outdoor conditions.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Cappadocia
When did the Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail take place?
The event ran from 16 to 18 October 2026. The main race started in Ürgüp on 17 October 2026.
Where is Cappadocia and how do you get there?
Cappadocia is in central Turkey, with the World Heritage property extending between Nev?ehir, Ürgüp and Avanos. Göreme and Ürgüp were named on the 2026 trail routes.
What is Cappadocia?
Cappadocia is a volcanic landscape shaped by erosion, with valleys, rock pinnacles, rock-hewn sanctuaries, troglodyte villages and underground towns. Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage property.
