Taurus Mountain Race is a self-supported ultra-distance bikepacking race through the rugged Taurus Mountains of southern Turkey. Created by the team behind the Atlas, Silk Road, and Hellenic Mountain Races, it follows the same philosophy of remote routes, challenging terrain, and complete self-reliance.
The inaugural route covers approximately 1,460 kilometres, starting in Antalya before heading deep into one of Turkey’s wildest mountain ranges. Riders can expect a demanding mix of gravel roads, rough jeep tracks, forgotten mountain passes, and quiet backroads, with long stretches far from towns and services.
As with every Mountain Race event, competitors must be entirely self-supported. Navigation, food, accommodation, and mechanical repairs are the rider’s responsibility, with no outside assistance permitted. The remote terrain and unpredictable mountain weather make careful planning just as important as physical fitness.
The Taurus Mountains remain one of Europe’s least explored cycling destinations, offering dramatic limestone peaks, deep canyons, high plateaus, and traditional villages untouched by mass tourism. With its combination of technical riding, sustained climbing, and true wilderness, Taurus Mountain Race promises to be one of the toughest and most adventurous additions to the global ultra-cycling calendar.
Based on this event's terrain, difficulty and riding style.
At 1460 km with 30000 m of elevation gain, Taurus Mountain Race is roughly the distance of 35 marathons back to back, with climbing that adds up to more than 3.4 times the height of Mount Everest.
For Taurus Mountain Race, we'd recommend a Hardtail MTB — plan on 2.2-2.4" Tubeless tires and a wide-range drivetrain, something like a 30-32T (1x) chainring paired with a 10-52T cassette, to handle the terrain comfortably.
We rate Taurus Mountain Race as Extreme overall. Riders should be ready for seriously technical, unforgiving terrain throughout, relentlessly mountainous, climbing almost the entire way elevation gain, and mild and generally comfortable conditions.
Mark your calendar for October 14, 2026 — Taurus Mountain Race's autumn timing means as conditions start cooling but daylight hours are shrinking.
Taurus Mountain Race runs primarily on off-road, and we'd recommend 2.2-2.4" Tubeless tires to handle it comfortably.