It’s time to start planning a trail-running race-cation for 2026

The days are short, the weather is grim and it already feels like winter might drag on forever, but this is actually the perfect moment to start plotting your 2026 trail-running adventures. Whether you decide to wind your way through the northern Appalachians at Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs in Quebec, test your legs in the wide-open, sun-baked coulees of Alberta at Lost Soul Ultra or conquer big vert at the Golden Ultra in B.C., you’ll find no shortage of trails that suit your style. Here are the ins and outs of a few of the many race-cations worth pencilling into next year’s calendar.

Golden Ultra (Golden, B.C.)

Golden Ultra drops you into Golden, B.C. and the Rocky/Purcell-mountain trails for a three-day stage race festival that shows off proper alpine terrain and serious vert. You can sign up for the full Full Pint—a 4.6-km vertical climb, a 59–60 km ultra-distance day, and a final 15–23 km mountain run—or the shorter Half Pint, which mixes a steep climb, a 30 km day and a lighter run to finish. If you’re not into multi-day racing, single-day entries (30 km, 60 km, even shorter trail runs) are on the table, too.

To learn more, head here.

Quebec Mega Trail (Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que.)

Quebec Mega Trail is an easy addition to any 2026 race-cation list, thanks to its mix of stunning but rugged Charlevoix terrain, big mountain views and a menu of distances to suit any appetite. The festival now includes two multi-day options—Trans-QMT72 and Trans-QMT90—each built around a night opener and two tough daylight stages. If you’d rather stick to a single race, the lineup runs from the kid-friendly events all the way up to the QMT135, with the QMT50 and QMT80 doubling as national championship distances and the QMT135 and QMT50 holding their place on the World Trail Majors circuit. It’s the kind of weekend where you can pick your challenge and still feel like you’re part of something big.

To learn more, head here.

Lost Soul Ultra (Lethbridge, Alta.)

Lost Soul Ultra may not be in the mountains, but don’t let that fool you—this race packs a scorching-hot punch. Set in Lethbridge, Alta., the race follows a looping course through the Oldman River valley coulees, where short, sharp climbs add up fast. One 50K lap packs in roughly 1,200 metres of climbing, often on exposed, but stunningly beautiful, terrain. Runners can choose from 50K, 100K or 100 miles, with the 100K and 100-miler counting as two of Canada’s few Western States qualifiers. The trails mix singletrack, shale and dirt, and are backed by experienced volunteers who treat incoming runners like family. Instead of a medal, finishers pick up an etched river rock at the line—a solid reminder of a hard day on the prairies.

To learn more, head here.

Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs (Parc national de la Gaspésie, Que.)

Ultra-Trail des Chic-Chocs is set in the northern Appalachian mountain range in central Quebec, where the climbs stack up quickly and most of the route is true backcountry singletrack. Set in the Chic-Chocs on the Gaspé Peninsula—rugged, wind-battered mountains with a mix of forest and exposed ridges—the distances run from 10K and 23K to 45K, 88K and a punishing 170K, and none of them are freebies. After the finish line, runners (and crew members) can enjoy the Gaspésie region’s unique hospitality—hearty local food, cold craft beer and stunning adventures by foot or boat.

To learn more, head here.

Sinister 7 (Blairmore, Alta.)

Sinister 7 Ultra runs out of Crowsnest Pass, Alta., and lives up to its name, with some seriously punishing (but worth it) challenges. It offers a full 100-mile (161 km) course with over 6,600 m of climbing split into seven brutal stages. Solo runners have 30 hours; want some help? You can also sign up as part of a team of two to seven runners. If that’s more than you’re aiming for, you’ve got other options: a 50-miler, 50K or even a half-marathon, with each still offering serious hills and tough trail terrain. The trails range from tight singletrack and forested climbs to alpine ridgelines under the watch of Seven Sisters Mountain. Expect a raw mix of rocks, roots and creek crossings, and watch out for wild weather swings.

To find out more or to register, head here.

Capes 100 (Cape Breton, N.S.)

Capes 100 takes place in Mabou on Cape Breton Island, N.S., weaving through the rugged Mabou Highlands and beautiful, wild Atlantic coastline. The race offers three distances—46K, 86K and the full 160K (100 miles), and none are light on climbing (even the 46K stacks roughly 2,000 m of vert. The courses mix gravel roads, single- and doubletrack, long forest climbs and cliffside sections that open up to ocean views. If you want a 2026 race-cation that blends tough terrain with a distinct and vibrant East Coast feel, Capes 100 fits the bill.

To learn more or to register, head here.

Reesor 50 (Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Sask.)

Reesor 50 sends runners into the heart of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park near Maple Creek, Sask., an unusual area in the Prairies where the land rises sharply into forested highlands, featuring the highest points between the Rockies and Labrador. The mix of lodgepole pine, open meadows, coulees and sudden cliffs gives the area a feel you don’t get anywhere else in Saskatchewan or Alberta. The main event is the full 50-mile Reesor 50, with roughly 2,300 metres of elevation gain and loss, threading through prairie hills and forest trails. There’s also the Reesor Mountain Marathon (~42 km, ~1,250 m vert) and a shorter “Sundown 10” run, so whether you’re after a serious ultra or a shorter taste, there are options. Starting and ending at the historic Reesor Ranch, the event has a prairie-ranch vibe, offering rustic surroundings, forest-and-cliff terrain and the chance to run somewhere most runners haven’t explored.

To learn more or to register, head here.