About the Festival
The Kemaliye Silk Road Ultra Trail Festival is an annual event held in the Kemaliye (Eğin) district of Turkey. The festival aims to promote the natural and cultural heritage of the region while also supporting sustainable economic development. The festival features a variety of trail running and hiking events, including an ultramarathon, a short trail, and a mountain trail hike.
The Eğin Stone Road
The Eğin Stone Road is a 13-kilometer (8-mile) road that was built between 1860 and 2002. The road is made of rock and includes 31 tunnels and 62 ventilation holes. The most challenging sections of the road are located in the Dark Canyon. Today, most of the road's surface is still made of rock.
Trail Running in Kemaliye
The Kemaliye (Eğin) district has a network of hundreds of kilometers of trails with stunning views, ranging from 850 to 2200 meters in elevation. These trails include ancient Silk Road routes that were used by caravans until the mid-20th century, as well as dangerous and rugged paths.
Trail Running vs. Ultramarathon
Trail running is a type of running that takes place on unpaved surfaces, such as dirt roads, trails, and single-track paths. Trail runners often use intermittent signs to find the way, and they must be prepared for a variety of terrain and weather conditions.
An ultramarathon is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon distance of
Age Requirements
- All running and hiking events are open to participants who are at least 18 years old.
- Young people aged 16-17 may participate in the Dark Canyon Run 10K with parental consent.
- Children aged 10 and over may participate in the Festival Run 5K if accompanied by an adult.
- A sports license or equivalent document is required for the Kemaliye UTM 50K and ST30K.
- All participants must sign a risk waiver and release form before participating in any event.
- Participation fees are required. Fees are listed on this website and on the ticketing page.