Salomon Cappadocia Ultra Trail
Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail (CUT)
Ürgüp
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
The Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail (CUT) is a 119 km loop starting and finishing in Ürgüp's Cumhuriyet Square, threading through one of the world's most surreal landscapes. With 3255 m of total ascent and a high point of 1601 m, the course weaves past fairy chimneys, ancient rock-cut villages, volcanic valleys and open plateau farmland — a route that is as visually striking as it is physically demanding. The terrain is predominantly packed dirt, loose volcanic tuff, rocky singletrack and occasional asphalt connector sections, meaning grip and foot protection matter as much as fitness. Ten manned crew-accessible checkpoints punctuate the course, and the race runs from mid-afternoon into the following morning, so every finisher will spend significant time running in the dark.
Course & Terrain
The route leaves Ürgüp at 1085 m and climbs immediately toward CP1 Ibrahimpaşa at 10.9 km (1256 m), introducing runners to the region's characteristic short, punchy ascents over loose tuff and compacted trail. By CP2 Uçhisar at 26.6 km the course has reached 1324 m — the highest point in the first half — before dropping into the valley system around Göreme (CP3, 37.2 km, 1159 m). The middle section from Çavuşin (CP4, 46.1 km) through Akdağ (CP5, 52.6 km, 1221 m) and back into Ürgüp for the Life Base at CP6 (62.1 km) features rolling plateau running interspersed with technical rocky descents. The second half from CP6 onward — Damsa (CP7, 74.7 km), Taşkınpaşa (CP8, 85.9 km, 1361 m), Karlık (CP9, 98.7 km) and the final push through CP10 (108.9 km, 1314 m) back to Ürgüp — is run entirely in darkness and carries the cumulative fatigue of 60-plus kilometres already in the legs. The highest elevations of the entire course come in this back half, with CP8 and CP10 both sitting above 1300 m.
Decisive Climbs & Descents
The two most consequential sections are the climb to Uçhisar (CP2) in the first quarter and the sustained high-altitude miles between CP8 Taşkınpaşa (85.9 km, 1361 m) and CP10 (108.9 km, 1314 m) in the dead of night. The Uçhisar section is run on fresh legs but the volcanic rock underfoot is uneven and ankle-twisting; this is where over-eager early pacing burns quads needed for the second half. The night section from Damsa to Taşkınpaşa (74.7 km to 85.9 km) involves a climb of roughly 150 vertical metres to the course's consistently highest terrain, and the descent from CP10 back to Ürgüp at the very end — when energy reserves are lowest — is a technical rocky drop that demands concentration. Runners who arrive at CP6 (the Life Base at 62.1 km) in good shape and well-fuelled will find the back half manageable; those who overcook the opening 50 km tend to haemorrhage time in the CP7–CP9 window.
Pacing & Fuelling Strategy
The cut-off schedule is tight but workable: you have roughly 7–8 hours to cover the first 62 km to the Life Base (CP6), and then a further 11.5 hours to complete the remaining 57 km. That asymmetry is deliberate — the back half is harder in the dark — so do not use the relatively generous early cut-offs as an invitation to race the first half. A conservative effort through CP1–CP3 (the first 37 km) preserves the leg strength needed for CP8–CP10. Fuel early and often: the volcanic terrain, moderate altitude and dry air all accelerate dehydration faster than runners expect, and there are long gaps between some checkpoints (CP7 to CP8 is 11.2 km, CP8 to CP9 is 12.8 km, CP9 to CP10 is 10.2 km). Solid food at the Life Base (CP6) is essential — this is the one true crew-access resupply point at the halfway mark. Plan your drop bag and crew instructions around CP6, CP8 and CP9 if you want the most strategic support in the hardest miles. Caffeine should be reserved for the CP6–CP9 window when night running fatigue peaks.
Conditions to Expect
Cappadocia's climate is semi-arid continental: daytime temperatures during the race can reach the mid-20s Celsius, while overnight temperatures on the plateau can drop sharply, sometimes to single digits, particularly at the higher elevations around CP8 and CP10. The diurnal swing of 15°C or more is the race's most underrated challenge — runners who dress only for the warm start often suffer badly in the pre-dawn hours. Wind is common on the exposed plateau sections between CP5 and CP7, and again in the night section above 1300 m. Dust is a near-constant companion on the dry valley trails; a buff or light face covering and sunglasses for the daylight sections are practical essentials. The terrain is generally dry and runnable but brief rainfall — unusual but possible — turns the tuff soil into a greasy, ankle-deep paste, so lugged trail shoes are the safe choice regardless of the forecast.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 1085 m · Sat 07:00
10.9 km · 1256 m · Sat 09:00
26.6 km · 1324 m · Sat 12:00
37.2 km · 1159 m · Sat 14:00
46.1 km · 1069 m · Sat 16:30
52.6 km · 1221 m · Sat 18:00
62.1 km · 1133 m · Sat 19:30
74.7 km · 1208 m · Sat 22:00
85.9 km · 1361 m · Sun 01:00
98.7 km · 1305 m · Sun 03:30
108.9 km · 1314 m · Sun 05:30
118 km · 1119 m · Sun 07:00
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