Dodo Trail 2026

Mauritius' Premier Trail Running Event

The Dodo Trail is the most prestigious trail running event in Mauritius, celebrating its 14th edition in 2026. Set against the stunning tropical backdrop of the island's mountainous interior, the Dodo Trail takes runners through lush forests, volcanic ridges and dramatic coastal landscapes, from the iconic Le Morne Brabant peninsula to the surf town of Tamarin on the west coast.

The event has become a highlight of the Indian Ocean trail running calendar, attracting runners from Mauritius, Réunion, South Africa, Europe and beyond. The Dodo Trail showcases the surprising verticality and rugged beauty of Mauritius, an island better known for its beaches but which conceals a challenging mountainous interior with peaks reaching 828 metres at Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, the highest point in the country.

Courses and Formats

Xtreme 50 km (3,500m D+)

The flagship Xtreme distance covers 50 kilometres with an impressive 3,500 metres of cumulative elevation gain — a remarkable ratio of vertical to distance that makes this one of the steepest 50 km trail races in the world. Starting at 5:00 AM at Le Morne, runners traverse the full mountain chain of southwestern Mauritius, reaching the summit of Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (828m) before descending to the finish at Riverland in Tamarin. The terrain is extremely technical with steep volcanic rock, dense tropical forest, and exposed ridgelines.

Trooper 25 km (1,500m D+)

The Trooper offers a challenging 25-kilometre mountain trail with 1,500 metres of elevation gain. This format delivers the essential Dodo Trail experience — technical volcanic terrain, tropical forest and ocean views — in a more accessible package.

Venture 10 km (400-500m D+)

The 10-kilometre Venture is ideal for those new to trail running or visiting Mauritius for the first time, offering a taste of the island's trail network with moderate elevation.

Rookie 5 km (50m D+)

The 5-kilometre Rookie is a fun, accessible trail run with minimal elevation, perfect for beginners and families.

Le Morne Dash 3.3 km (500m D+)

The Le Morne Dash is a unique, steep hill climb up the iconic Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At just 3.3 kilometres with 500 metres of elevation gain, this is an intense, short-format vertical challenge up one of Mauritius' most recognisable landmarks.

Terrain and Difficulty

Mauritius trail terrain is characterised by volcanic basalt rock, dense tropical vegetation, steep ridgelines and red laterite earth. The Xtreme 50 km is exceptionally technical, with sections requiring hands-on scrambling, root-covered forest paths and exposed cliff-edge running. The tropical climate adds heat and humidity as significant factors — even early morning starts see temperatures rising quickly.

The 3,500 metres of elevation gain across just 50 kilometres means the Xtreme is relentlessly steep, with very little flat running. The Le Morne Dash, despite its short distance, averages a gradient of over 15%, making it a pure vertical challenge.

Practical Information

• Le Morne Dash: takes place on July 4, one week before the main event on July 11
• Climate: July is Mauritian winter — cooler than summer but still warm (20-25°C), lower humidity, less rain
• Getting there: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU), Le Morne is approximately 1 hour south of the airport
• Registration: the 14th edition sold out quickly in previous years — early registration recommended