The Best Alpine and Scenic Trail Running Events near Bright in 2026

More than a spectacularly scenic alpine town, Bright is home to some of Victoria’s most well-known and loved alpine trail running events. These events happen all year round and cater for all fitness levels from professional to amateur, families and kids.

Bright is well known for its breathtaking natural beauty with a backdrop of majestic mountains, serene rivers and lush forests, perfect for exploring Australia’s great outdoors. There is an alpine running event for everyone at Bright, from the hugely popular Buffalo Stampede, which attracts more than 2,000 participants each year to the Mt Beauty Running Festival, considered one of the most scenic foot races with stunning autumn colours and an emphasis on fun for all the family.

If you or your family want to experience the excitement and beauty of alpine trail running this year, our event calendar with helpful summaries and links to each event, can help you to select the best event for your goals and fitness levels.

Each year Bright’s popular hill and trail running events sell out quickly and accommodation can be difficult during the busiest events. Our four unique Autumn Beauty Holiday Cottages offer luxury accommodation, with a stylish Hamptons country vibe, designer furnishings and a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect to rest after a full day of activities.

2025 Trail Running / Alpine Running Events at Bright or Close To Bright 

Bogong to Hotham Rooftop Run

18 January 2025

The Bogong to Hotham Rooftop Run is a classic mountain ultra race across the rooftop of Australia’s high country. One of the toughest mile-for-mile races in Australia, it offers spectacular views, along with an amazing experience and challenge for trail runners. Covers distances 29km 35km and 64km. The race start is located a 40 min drive from Bright at Mountain Creek Campground.

 

Spartan Bright Trifecta Weekend

22-23 February 2025

Spartan is the global leader in obstacle course racing (OCR). Spartan Bright Trifecta Weekend entrants are challenged with Bright’s hill climbs and elevation, water crossings, technical rocky terrain, and sections through forest like settings. This event includes 5km, 10km and 21km races as well as a Kid’s race.

 

Mount Bogong Conquestathon

1 March 2025

The Mt Bogong Conquestathon is a 21km trek with a 1,410m vertical climb to the summit of Victoria’s tallest mountain, Mount Bogong. The event is 45 years old in 2025 and can be walked or run.

 

Razorback Run

15 March 2025

The Razorback Run – Experience the thrill of running to the summit of Mt Feathertop, Victoria’s second highest peak and Australia’s only real mountain and enjoy stunning views of the high country from the Summit, the High Plains, Swindlers Spur and the Razorback. There are 3 challenging distances in some of the most spectacular country in Victoria’s Alpine National Park – 22km, 40 km and 64km. The race start is a 20 minute drive from Bright.

 

Buffalo Stampede Trail Festival

28-30 March 2025

The Buffalo Stampede is Australia’s first sanctioned Skyrace [running in the mountains above 2,000m altitude, where 5% of the course has an incline of 30% or more]. This hugely popular trail run has over 2,000 participants every year. The Buffalo Stampede is a special event with spectators coming in from Bright township to cheer runners on as they climb the surrounding hills and mountains. The sound of Cow bells lets you know you are approaching a summit or aid station. The Buffalo Stampede is one of Australia’s most popular trail running events contested from Bright, Victoria. It offers a wide range of distances, team relay, family and junior events with a challenge for everybody and their families to enjoy.

 

Alpine Challenge

12-14 April 2025

The Alpine Challenge at Falls Creek in Victoria has a variety of distances available from 10km to 100 miles. Distances from the Marathon up can be run either solo, in teams, or relay teams. The Alpine Challenge is without doubt the toughest, most challenging, most spectacular and rewarding all mountain trail run in Australia – if not the southern hemisphere over seven distances.

 

Mount Beauty Running Festival

17 May 2025

The Mount Beauty Running Festival on 17 May 2025 is one of Australia’s most scenic foot races with stunning autumn colours and an emphasis on fun for all the family. Distances include a 3km, 10km, 21k or 18km trail run. Lace up your shoes and get ready to run, walk, jog or test your endurance on one of the special events on offer. The event start is a 35 minute drive from Bright.

 

Wandi Cross

7 June 2025

The Wandi Cross is a mountain running challenge set amidst the picturesque valley of Wandiligong, a few minutes from Bright, Victoria. Summiting the high points of both Mystic Mountain and Goldmine Ridge, this challenge requires participants to use a combination of endurance, strength and cross-trail abilities to ascend and descend across steep, raw, natural and technical ground.

 

Bright Running Festival

24 August 2025

The Bright Running Festival on 24 August 2025 has something for everyone in the beautiful High Country of Northern Victoria. Expect climbs, fire roads, a little single track and a testing race with other like-minded individuals. Distances include 50km, 28km, 14km and 10km along with 2km children’s races.

 

Harrietville Half Marathon

12 October 2025

The Harrietville Half Marathon starts in the alpine shire of Bright along a spectacular scenic course and finishes in the mountain village of Harrietville. Along with the half marathon, there is also a 10.5km and 5km fun run/walk plus a 2km Kid’s run.

 

Bright 4 Peaks Alpine Climb

1-4 November 2025

Bright’s original trail run since 1979. The Bright 4 Peaks Alpine Climb is a 4 day walking and running event based in the Bright area of Victoria. Each day participants tackle a new peak with distances varying from 10 – 15km. All events are hosted on gazetted trails and the trails are marked for the event to help provide guidance to participants.