Ultra-Trail Australia is a challenging 100km running event held in the magnificent Blue Mountains in New South Wales.
Local and international runners come to NSW yearly to participate in this endurance event, with hundreds of competitors making the trek around the challenging course.
Ultra-Trail Australia 2025, Dates, Entry Prices, Course Maps, Event Schedule
From 15-18 May 2025, the scenic and serene town of Katoomba in the heart of the stunning Blue Mountains, NSW, will welcome thousands of runners, spectators and support crew to Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB (UTA).
Located in the world heritage-listed Blue Mountains, the stairs won’t be the only thing taking your breath away at UTA. From the vast cliff tops and exposed rock formations to the cascading waterfalls and chorusing native bush alive with the sounds of nature, there’s something to take in at every point along the UTA course.
We might be biased, but we think Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB has the best playing field in all sports. The Blue Mountains provide an almost purpose-built trail-running nirvana. There’s a variety of trails and terrain across one of the most spectacular natural landscapes anywhere in Australia or around the world.
ENTRY PRICES INCLUDE:
- Race entry
- Epic trails and good times
- Race number with timing chip
- Drop bag service for UTA100 and UTA Miler
- Finisher bag service
- Event mobile app
- On-course medical support
- Breathtaking scenery
- Checkpoints/water points (except UTA11)
- Finisher medal
- UTA Belt buckle for the chosen few!
- Athlete t-shirt (UTAMiler, UTA100, UTA50, UTA22)
- Athlete gift (UTAMiler, UTA100, UTA50, UTA22)
- Awards (if you’re fast enough)
- Friends… lots of new friends
- On-course photography (purchased at registration or post-event)
- A life-changing experience
Course Overview
All UTA distances are designed to take in the best of this spectacular location… and whilst all have their challenges, they are achievable enough to give all runners the best chance to cross the finish line.
The first race of the weekend is the UTA11 on Thursday. This is a great introduction for new trail runners and is stunningly beautiful but also just the right mix of fun and run to have you puffing hard and smiling to the finish line.
On Friday, UTA22 will give runners a true taste of the longer courses over a distance that is achievable for first-timers and fun for all.
The perfect race for runners taking on their first ultra or stepping up from shorter distances, the UTA50 course is challenging but rewarding. It tracks the second half of the UTA100 route through the beautiful Kedumba Valley.
Australia’s Premier 100-mile Ultra-Trail takes you on a journey through the magical Blue Mountains and within.
One hundred of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring kilometres that you will ever run. The UTA100 course takes you along cliff tops, through lush valleys, across scenic ridges … and then up the famous Furber steps (all 951 of them) to the finish line.
Rounding out the weekend, the 1km-4-Kids is a chance for the future stars of trail running to hit the trails and finish under the UTA arch!
UTAMiler Race Details
One hundred of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring miles that you will ever run. The UTAMiler course is a mix of trails that showcase the best of Blue Mountains National Park, taking you along cliff tops, through lush valleys, across scenic ridges and then up the famous 951 Furber Steps towards the finish line at Scenic World.
Grose Valley, Grand Canyon, Perrys Lookdown, Blue Gum Forest, Lockleys Pylon – just a few new additions ready to welcome you as you embark on your journey through the Blue Mountains National Park. Alongside Narrow Neck, Ironpot Ridge, Leura Forest, Wentworth Falls, Kedumba Pass, and Furber Steps – names that have become trail running legends as part of the iconic UTA100 course.
It’s the race every trail runner in Australia has been waiting for!
As you descend through the majestic Grose Valley, you start in Blackheath. Highlighted by a trip through the Grand Canyon and unmatched 360-degree views from the top of Lockley Pylon. Pit stop at the Hydro Majestic Hotel overlooking the Megalong Valley, giving you a glimpse of what’s to come. Then, you’ll connect with the UTA100 course at Narrow Neck Lookout as you experience a mix of terrain – mostly single track and wide trails – and a mix of emotions as you continue to run through the very special World Heritage listed national park of the Blue Mountains.
After some lush bushland, beautiful escarpments, epic ridgelines and about 99 miles, you’ll stand at the bottom of the most famous set of steps in trail running… just 951 of them are between you and the finish line back at Scenic World.
UTA100 Race Details
One hundred of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring kilometres that you will ever run. The UTA100 course is a mix of trails that take you along cliff tops, through lush valleys, across scenic ridges and then up to the finish line at Scenic World.
Narrow Neck, Ironpot Ridge, Leura Forest, Wentworth Falls, Kedumba Pass, Furber Steps – names that have become trail running legends in the iconic UTA100 course.
It’s the race that every trail runner in Australia aspires to do at least once … but all too often once is never enough.
You start at the famous Scenic World in the idyllic town of Katoomba and experience a mix of terrain – mostly single track and wide trails – and a mix of emotions as you run through the very special World Heritage-listed national park of the Blue Mountains.
After some lush bushland, beautiful escarpments, epic ridgelines and about 99kms, you’ll stand at the bottom of the most famous set of steps in trail running… just 951 of them are between you and the finish line back at Scenic World.
UTA50 Race Details
Dip your toes into the ultra-distance and encounter awe-inspiring views, epic trails and an amazing community.
The UTA50 course traces the second half of the UTA100 course and does not lack the beauty or stunning landscapes of its longer counterpart.
You’ll start at Scenic World in Katoomba and head along the cliff tops, checking out the breathtaking views of Mt Solitary and the escarpments before you know it.
The spectacular Wentworth Falls is the next highlight after around 25km before cruising down the epic Kedumba Pass.
The only way is up from there, culminating with those infamous 951 steps and the finish line back at Scenic World!
UTA22 Race Details
Taking the magic of our longer distances and distilling it into an achievable and enjoyable day on the trails.
UTA22 is a challenging and fun course that takes in all the beauty of the Blue Mountains but is still achievable for newbie trail runners.
Your start is at Queen Victoria Hospital. The route takes you along UTA course highlights through Kedumba Valley before heading up the final section of the Furber Steps to your finish line at Scenic World.
Whether you’re new to trail running or looking to take in some UTA highlights without going ultra-distance – the UTA22 is perfect for you!
UTA11 Race Details
A stunningly beautiful course provides an excellent first step for anyone trying out trail running.
UTA11 is a great introduction to Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB and trail running. The course traverses some of the Blue Mountains’ most stunning tracks, and while you encounter the odd lump along the way, it is very achievable for all abilities.
You’ll start at Scenic World. The route takes you out of Prince Henry Cliff Walk through Echo Point.
Descend Fern Bower into Leura Forest, then follow the Federal Pass through the Landslide to the base of Furber Steps.
To get the real taste of UTA, you’ll get to take on all of the 951 Furber Steps up to the finish back at Scenic World.
1km-4-Kids Race Details
The 1km-4-Kids is an inclusive and fun race that allows our future trail runners to take centre stage and earn themselves a pretty sweet medal, too.
Start Lines
For the UTA100 and UTA50, your start line will return to being under the big finish arch. We will flow you into the chute as you line up pre-start before heading out through recovery, turning right and left onto Cliff Drive.
UTA11 – runners are so speedy that there will be finishers in this distance before all runners have even started, so we will have a separate start line set up for you, as shown on the map. You’ll roll straight out and left onto Cliff Drive.
UTA22: You will start at Queen Victoria Hospital in Wentworth Falls before running down Kedumba Pass into the Kedumba Valley.
UTAMiler – you will begin your 100 miles at Govetts Leap
Finish Line
The finish line will be in a slightly different location to previous Scenic World finish lines, however runners will still make their way right to the top of Furber Steps, along the boardwalk, past the entrance to Scenic World, through the hoards of cheering spectators, and underneath the finish arch.
There’s more opportunity for high-fives and pictures for you to soak up the emotion of your amazing achievement. Remember, you can have friends and family join you in the finish chute – they’ll be able to do so just next to the Scenic World entrance. Please be courteous to other finishers – this is their moment too!
After you cross the finish line and have your medal placed around your neck, you’ll flow through recovery—with food and beverage options for you to peruse and medical on hand. When you’re ready, you can exit recovery and join your friends and family, kick back, and cheer on other runners.
Mandatory Gear Lists
The mandatory gear list contains what we believe is the absolute minimum to keep you safe during the event and in the Blue Mountain’s unpredictable weather systems. If you usually take something extra on a run of this duration, you should still take it.
The course passes through remote trails, where protection from the elements and medical/support services could be some time/distance from athletes needing assistance. It is, therefore, imperative that the mandatory gear is carried at all times.
We are a cupless event to reduce waste. Athletes are strongly advised to carry their own drinking cups, bottles, or hydration vests that they can use at aid stations to select drinks. We recommend that you also carry water between aid stations.
Race Check In
UTA race check-in is at KCC Auditorium, located on the corner of Cliff Drive and Violet St, opposite Scenic World in Katoomba. Please refer to the event schedule for the exact times of UTA race check-in.
At race check-in, you will collect your race pack, which includes your race number and other mandatory equipment such as maps, course descriptions, and emergency instructions. Your race pack also includes a bag timing tag, which you will attach to your backpack.
Only the registered person can pick up their race pack, which can only be collected during check-in opening hours. It will not be posted out prior to the event.
What to bring to check-in:
- Photo ID (driver’s licence or passport):
- Mandatory gear check certificate (UTA100 & UTAMiler Only): Gear check will be available during the same time as check-in at KCC, or you can also perform an early gear check in the months prior to the event.
Free Shuttle Buses
A free event shuttle bus will transport runners, support crews, and spectators between Katoomba town centre and Scenic World on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
On Friday and Saturday there will also be a free shuttle bus service to take runners, support crews and spectators between Leura and Scenic World from 5am Saturday.
NOTE: If you are starting in one of the first three start groups in UTA100 or UTA50, it is recommended that you be ready to catch one of these early buses so you do not miss your start time.
Refer to the bus timings and operating bus stops in the bus maps in the image gallery below. During their operating times, the buses will be on a continuous loop.
– It is a 10–15-minute ride from The Carrington Hotel to Scenic World.
– It is a 20–25-minute ride from Fairmont Resort to Scenic World.
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