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The Trans Bhutan Trail (TBT) is a 403 km long historic trail, spanning from Haa in the West of Bhutan to Trashigang in the East. It is considered one of the world’s greatest walks and one of the best hiking routes in Asia. Also, the TBT is a symbol of national unity and a way to connect Bhutan’s past, present and future.

Discover TBT, the agency helping us organise the Bhutan Ultra is the official organisation behind the restoration and sustainability of the Trail. They operate itineraries for international travelers where 100% of the profits go back into the trail’s development.

The TBT Trail dates back to the 16th century when it connected fortresses called Dzongs and served as the pilgrimage route for Buddhists in the east travelling to the most sacred sites in western Bhutan and Tibet. Trail runners, or ‘Garps’, worked the Trail and were legendary, travelling with vital messages and mail between Dzongs at great speeds with little food or rest. The Trail came to play a major role in uniting the region’s many provinces, repelling foreign incursions, and fostering the birth of Bhutan as a nation in 1907.

By the 1960s the Trail had fallen into disuse with the construction of a national highway. Bridges, footpaths and stairways collapsed, gewogs (villages) and landholdings were separated, and this traditional pilgrimage route became neglected.

In 2018, with the wisdom and vision of His Majesty, The King, the restoration of the TBT was led by the Bhutan Canada Foundation with the support of the Tourism Council of Bhutan to restore the trail to make it accessible again for locals, pilgrims, and travellers. During the COVID-19 crisis, with the assistance of the Royal Government of Bhutan more than 900 furloughed workers helped to restore the trail to its former glory including the rebuilding of 18 bridges, hundreds of kilometres of footpaths and more than 10,000 steps.

The Bhutan Ultra will take place on the Eastern part of the TBT, starting in Tsangkha, Trongsa. Our finish line is in Trashigang, where the TBT has its end.

Our race distance is 200 km and athletes have to “climb” a total of 11,150 m. The highest point on the trail will be 3,775 m. The finish lines are at elevations between 739 and 3447 m above sea level.

This Google Map shows you the part of the Trans Bhutan Trail we will be using. Please note that it is still preliminary – work on the map continues and many details still will be integrated.

Short promotional video about the Trans Bhutan Trail: