Trail Blazers

Sara Ali Khan embraced the mountains over the limelight, finishing an 18-km trek across the pristine meadows of Panwali Kantha Bugyal. Across India, runners are swapping city roads for forests, mountain trails and wilderness adventures. From the Western Ghats to the Himalayas, trail running is fast becoming the country’s newest endurance obsession, offering equal parts fitness, adventure and a deeper connection with nature.

For Raj Ch, a Hyderabad-based marketing professional, filmmaker and mountain ultrarunner, trail running is a welcome escape from urban life. “Most weekdays are spent in front of a computer. Trail running lets me disconnect from screens and reconnect with nature. It’s the perfect balance between fitness, adventure and spending time outdoors.”

Samuel Sudhakar, a race management consultant, believes that connection with nature is exactly why more Indians are embracing trails. “We’re moving towards a screen-dominated world with endless schedules. Replace traffic noise with birdsong, rustling trees and flowing streams, and you’ve transformed the entire running experience. Spending time in forests and mountains reconnects us with nature and keeps us grounded.”

Every trail tells a different story

Unlike road running, where pace is often the priority, trail running demands constant adaptability. “Every trail is unique,” says Siva Swaroop, project manager, running coach and ultra trail runner. “Changing elevations, technical sections, unpredictable weather and varied terrain constantly challenge you. Training focuses far more on strength, balance, climbing ability and technical skills.” Raj agrees. “You run through forests, rocky terrain, river crossings, steep climbs and technical descents. It’s less about maintaining pace and more about responding to whatever the mountain throws at you.”

Indian ultramarathon runner Kieren D’Souza says the terrain itself changes the experience. “Every step on a trail is different. You’re constantly adapting to the terrain and staying aware of your surroundings.”

Why more Indians are heading off-road

Trail running has evolved from a niche pursuit into a growing community. “I think people today are looking for experiences, not just races,” says Raj. “Trail running combines fitness, adventure, travel and community.” Siva believes the sport’s growing popularity is driven by its variety. “The scenery, the adventure and the challenge make runners fall in love with trail running. As road runners look for new goals, trail races offer a completely different experience. Social media and the rise of well-organised events across India have also helped.”

Nature’s toughest gym

Beyond spectacular scenery, trail running offers significant physical and mental benefits. Samuel explains that uneven terrain recruits stabilising muscles throughout the body, improving balance, agility and coordination while demanding complete concentration. “Trail running is a full-body workout. You’re constantly reading the terrain, adjusting every stride and staying mentally present.” For Siva, the lessons extend well beyond fitness. “It has made me physically stronger and mentally more resilient. You learn patience, decision-making under pressure and the ability to stay calm even when conditions become difficult.” D’Souza says, “Breathing clean air and running through forests is a refreshing alternative to city traffic.”

Mountain Ready

Preparation starts long before race day. Raj trained on Hyderabad's hills—Khajaguda, Keesaragutta, DC Trails and Forest Trek Park—where hill repeats, technical trails and strength sessions became routine. “Running the course a day earlier helped me understand the terrain, elevation and route markings. That made race day much easier.” Siva prepared over years, trekking across South India and the Himalayas before progressing to hill repeats, downhill drills, power hiking and strength training.

Respect the mountain

All four runners agree that beginners often underestimate the demands of trail running. “Many people think trail running is simply road running on dirt,” says Raj. D’Souza offers a practical example. “A 21K road race that takes around two hours can easily become a four-hour effort on trails with 1,000 metres of elevation gain. People also underestimate changing weather. Always check the forecast and carry the right gear.”

Siva adds that no two trail races are ever alike. “Terrain, weather, elevation and navigation can change everything. Even experienced road runners can find trails far more demanding than expected.” Safety is as important as stamina. Study the route, carry offline maps, inform someone of your plans, pack water, nutrition and weather-appropriate gear, and never underestimate the mountains.

More than a finish line

For Raj, the BURJ 50K in the Sahyadris remains unforgettable. “There were relentless climbs, technical descents, strong winds, harsh sun and nearly twenty falls. It wasn’t my fastest race, but it taught me resilience and respect for the mountains.”

The Vagamon Ultrail was Siva’s toughest test, with punishing climbs and technical trails. But for D’Souza, it is the memories of Manali, Ladakh and the Alps, not the medals, that endure. Samuel says that is what trail running is all about. “Running becomes multidimensional. Slippery rocks, gravel, rain, mud, mountain air and constantly changing landscapes create an experience that roads simply cannot replicate. The finish line is memorable, but it's the journey through nature that keeps people coming back.”

BEST TRAIL RUNNING DESTINATIONS IN INDIA

· Western Ghats – Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Sahyadris

· Nilgiris – Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri

· Himalayas – Ladakh, Manali, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh

· Aravallis – Rajasthan and Haryana

· Kerala Highlands – Vagamon, Munnar

· Coorg – Karnataka

WHY TRAIL RUNNING IS BOOMING

According to experienced runners, the biggest draws are:

· Escape from city life

· Mental wellness

· Strong community culture

· Adventure travel

· Full-body fitness

· Closer connection with nature

HYDERABAD’S TRAINING GROUNDS

Don’t have mountains nearby? Many runners prepare here:

· Khajaguda Hills

· Keesaragutta

· Forest Trek Park

· DC Trails

· Ananthagiri Hills (weekend training)