Route Description

The race route starts in the grounds of the Udumwara hotel, underneath the cliff that the Tiger’s Nest is built on. The route is approximately half road surface and half farm trails. On the full marathon there is a 4km section of single track.

The first 8km are on road surfaces and slightly downhill alongside the Paro Chu (river). At 8km the half marathon splits off to the right and makes its way up and behind Paro Dzong (Fort). The full marathon carries straight on with a long and gradual climb alongside the Wang Chu (river) on farm tracks above rice fields.

At 18km the marathon route crosses the river and returns towards Paro on the other side on a gentle downhill gradient to 25km. Here, the route has the toughest climb, for about 4km on road, rising above the Paro National Museum, then on single track for 1km to the highest point of the race at 2560m.

Dropping back down to the Paro Chu the marathon and half marathon re-join beneath Paro Dzong to cross the famous wooden bridge. The last 10km for both distances are on a gradual but long uphill climb on a mix of road and wide farm track, rising above Paro Chu, with views of the river and rice fields, before dropping into the finish back at the Udumwara hotel.

The total height gain on the marathon is 995m and for the half 450m, although it will feel harder at this altitude. The altitude at the start is 2400m and the lowest point, in Paro Town, is at 2200m.