The Malnad Ultra takes runners deep into Karnataka’s coffee country, combining estate trails, forested hills and long-distance endurance racing.
The Malnad Ultra is one of India’s best-known trail-running events, held in the coffee-growing hills of Karnataka’s Western Ghats. The course winds through coffee estates, forest trails, rolling hills and exposed ridges, giving the race a distinctly wild and remote character.
Runners can choose between 30 km, 50 km day, 50 km night and 100 km categories, with elevation gain ranging from roughly 950 m in the 30K to over 3,400 m in the 100K. The longer races combine sustained climbing with uneven trails, changing weather and sections run in darkness.
What makes Malnad particularly memorable is the setting. Misty plantations, muddy forest paths and long stretches away from roads make the race feel more like an expedition through the Western Ghats than a conventional running event. It is a demanding course, but also one of the most scenic introductions to trail and ultra running in South India.
Participants must be at least 18 for the 2026 event. Qualification evidence is mandatory and requirements differ by distance. The organiser requires official results as qualification proof; headlamps or handheld lights are mandatory for the 50K Night and 100K categories.
Current permits and activity regulations may change. Always verify before booking.
