Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a Great Wall trail run or a trail running holiday in China?
Find answers to common questions about our overseas trail running trips, route difficulty levels, coaching support, travel logistics, and what to expect from the Run The Trails experience.
Explore the sections below to learn everything you need to know before running with us.
Run The Trails was founded by a band of passionate trail runners who believe the best way to explore a place is on foot — running through its forests, ridgelines, and villages. We’re a new outfit built by people who travel just to chase terrain, sunrise views, and shared moments on the trail.
Though the company is new, our team has years of combined experience in organizing endurance events, outdoor coaching, and destination logistics. We’re channeling that know-how into crafting seamless, skill-building running adventures that feel personal, safe, and unforgettable.
Run The Trails offers trail running holidays in China on iconic, race-quality routes, but without race-day pressure. Our trips combine expert-led running programs and workshops with non-run recovery days for cultural immersion and exploration, letting you fully enjoy each route and the surrounding landscapes.
Every route is handpicked by runners for runners, with small groups, skilled coaching, and a focus on safety, technique, and trail enjoyment, not speed or competition (unless the selected program/trip specifies "race" or "speed-run"). This makes our experiences immersive, personal, and designed to help you run smarter, explore deeper, and enjoy China and Asia's iconic trails.
Run The Trails trips are for adventurous trail runners seeking overseas running experiences on iconic, race-quality routes without race-day pressure. They suit runners who want to explore new terrains, climates, and cultures at a vacation pace, combining purposeful trail running with cultural immersion, local food, and scenic exploration. Perfect for those who wish they could run legendary race routes or simply experience unforgettable trails fully and personally.
We’re launching our first series of trail running experiences across China’s most inspiring routes, places that blend natural beauty, cultural heritage, and rewarding terrain.
You’ll find us running the forested ridges of Beijing’s Xiangshan, tackling the legendary Three Peaks route (Dajuesi), tracing ancient paths along the Great Wall, and gliding around the serene lakes and tea hills of Hangzhou’s West Lake region.
We’re also expanding westward into Sichuan’s mountain trails, where alpine forests and Tibetan Plateau landscapes offer a deeper test of endurance and spirit at higher altitude.
As we grow, our team of trail enthusiasts continues to scout and design new routes across China and Asia, always searching for that perfect combination of terrain, challenge, and view.
2. Trail Running Levels, Coaching & Preparation
Run The Trails | Trail Running Difficulty Level Guide
Every Run The Trails trip is rated using our Trail Running Difficulty Level Guide, a 4-level system designed to help you choose an experience that matches your current fitness, trail readiness, and comfort level on varied terrain.
The guide focuses on practical, real-world factors including:
- Daily distance
- Elevation gain
- Terrain and technical difficulty
- Expected pace range
- Recommended weekly training volume
Each trip is clearly marked with a Trail Running Difficulty Level (Level 1–4). You can click the Trail Difficulty Level link on any trip page to view the detailed comparison chart and understand what each level requires, so you can book with confidence.
Yes, if spaces allow. Contact our team early and we’ll help you transfer to a different level / trail running experience that suits your preparation.
That’s very common! If you’re unsure, choose the lower level, you’ll still enjoy the challenge without feeling overextended. Many of our multi-day workshops and tours also allow flexibility in pace and groupings.
Not at all. Our tours are about endurance and enjoyment, not racing. Pace ranges are provided only to help you gauge comfort on trails.
Hiking is part of trail running! On steep climbs, most runners hike efficiently. As long as you meet the fitness benchmarks, you’ll be fine.
Your safety and enjoyment always come first — but so does the experience of the group.
Our guides are experienced at supporting a wide range of paces, and on many trips we can offer route flexibility, such as shorter or alternative options, to help runners manage fatigue or tough days.
That said, we can’t ask other pax on the same trip to compromise the planned experience if someone has significantly overestimated their level. In these cases, we may adjust your day instead of the group’s.
Depending on the route and location, this could include:
- Running a shortened or modified section of the day’s route
- Biking a section where suitable
- Traveling in the support vehicle to a designated meet-up point before rejoining the group later
Our goal is to keep you safe, positive, and included — while ensuring the overall trip delivers the trail experience everyone signed up for.If you’re unsure which level is right for you, we strongly encourage reaching out before booking. We’re always happy to help you choose the best-fit adventure.
Coaching & Support
Yes. All our trail runs are supported by experienced trail running coaches, with additional guides and/or assistant coaches depending on the distance, terrain, and difficulty of the route.
Coaches are present on key run days, providing guidance on pacing, technique, footwork, energy management, and on-trail safety. On non-run or recovery days, coaching support may not be present, but our local guides and support team will continue to accompany the group.
We keep groups small — typically 8–16 runners — to ensure a personal experience and meaningful coach attention.
Yes. Our team manages luggage transfers, checkpoints, hydration refills, and emergency logistics. You only run with what you need on the trail.
Health, Fitness & Preparation
Some prior exposure to trail running definitely helps. Our Level 1 trips are ideal if you’ve tried a few trail runs at home and want to explore trail running further in a holiday setting. You should be comfortable running regularly and ready for off-road terrain, with guidance and support provided along the way.
Unsure of your level? Check our Trail Running Difficulty Level Guide to find a match for your current fitness and trail running experience.
After booking, you’ll receive a training guideline tailored to your trip’s distance, elevation, and terrain to help you prepare and enjoy the experience.
Your safety always comes first. All pax are required to have valid travel insurance that covers trail running and outdoor activities. We also provide complimentary local insurance in Mainland China to support injury coverage and eligible reimbursements during your trip.
If you’re finding a day challenging, our guides will first work with you to adjust pacing where possible. If needed, you may follow a modified route with reduced distance or elevation, or use vehicle support, so you can safely rejoin the group later.
Choosing the right Trail Running Difficulty Level helps minimize these situations and ensures a smoother, more enjoyable experience for you and the rest of the group.
Yes. Prior trail running experience is strongly recommended for anyone joining a Great Wall trail run in China. Running the Great Wall is a unique and demanding experience, with long distances, substantial elevation gain, and technical terrain that includes steep stone steps, uneven surfaces, and rugged climbs and descents. Previous trail running experience will help you feel more confident, safer, and better prepared to fully enjoy the run.
As part of our running the Great Wall experience, experienced coaches and local trail guides support you throughout the run. They provide practical advice on technique, pacing, and how to manage both physical and mental fatigue, especially when tackling technical sections of the Great Wall. However, this guidance is designed to enhance your run, not replace basic trail running fitness or experience.
If you’re considering one of our trail running holidays in China, you should already be comfortable running the required distance and elevation on trails. Not sure if you’re ready for a Great Wall trail run?
👉 Check our Trail Running Difficulty Level Guide to see whether our Great Wall routes match your current fitness and trail running experience.
3. Booking, Payment & Policies
Select your preferred trip and date on our website, complete the booking form, and pay a deposit to secure your spot. The balance is due 30 – 40 days before departure.
We accept major credit cards, Apple and Google Pay. For select regions, we also support bank transfers (which will incur a separate bank fee), and WeChat Pay (China).
We understand that plans can change and aim to be as accommodating as possible. However, our trips require advance payments and confirmed commitments, as well as meeting minimum participant numbers to operate.
Cancellation and refund terms vary based on timing and circumstances.
Please refer to our full Terms & Conditions, Section 7 – Cancellations, Refunds, Rescheduling & Transfers, for complete details. Where possible, rescheduling is often a flexible alternative to cancellation. Feel free to contact us to discuss your options.
Yes, rescheduling is subject to availability, and any tour price difference must be covered by the participant. Rescheduling requests more than 91 days before the scheduled start are free; requests within 90 days may incur a US$150-200 late fee. Only one rescheduling per reservation is permitted, and rescheduled trips must be taken within 9 months.
For full details, please see Terms & Conditions, Section 7.3 – Rescheduling Original Booking.
Yes, transfers are subject to approval and the new participant must meet the trip’s difficulty requirements. Transfer requests may incur administrative fees depending on timing, and only one transfer per reservation is permitted.
For full details, please see Terms & Conditions, Section 7.4 – Transfer to Another Person.
Early Bird pricing is offered on selected trips for participants who commit early with full payment. The Early Bird deadline is usually 90 days before the tour start, though some trips may have a shorter Early Bird window, which will be clearly shown on the trip page.
Yes. Early Bird rates apply only to bookings paid in full by the stated Early Bird deadline.
4. Travel Logistics, Visa, Accommodation
Yes, comprehensive travel and personal accident insurance is mandatory for all Run The Trails trips.
Your policy should cover, at minimum:
- Medical treatment and emergency evacuation
- Trip cancellation or interruption
- Lost, delayed, or damaged baggage
- Trail running and other trip activities
Check that your insurance explicitly covers trail running or adventure sports, as some standard policies exclude these activities.
Safety is our top priority. All routes are pre-run and risk-assessed. Our team carries first-aid kits, GPS trackers, and communication devices, and has evacuation protocols for remote areas.
Many travelers can now enter China visa-free for 15–30 days, depending on nationality and city. However, you should check the latest requirements with your local Chinese consulate or airline before traveling.
If you do need a visa, we’ll provide an invitation letter and guidance in your pre-departure pack.
If entering China under a visa-free transit policy, we’ll need a copy of your travel itinerary or air ticket to confirm your arrival, transit, and departure details comply with local rules.
We select boutique hotels, mountain lodges, or eco-resorts that reflect local character while ensuring good rest and recovery. Rooms are twin-share; single supplements are available upon request.
Breakfast and most dinners are included, featuring regional specialties. Lunches are typically light or on-trail picnics. We can accommodate dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, halal, etc.) with advance notice.
Trip pages indicate the nearest airport or train station for your journey. Your pre-departure package will provide the exact meeting point and contact person on the ground to assist with your arrival and group transfer.
Group transfers are included on designated arrival/departure days. For early arrivals or extensions, private transfers can be arranged at additional cost.
Arrive by late afternoon on Day 1 and ideally, plan your departures after breakfast time on the final day. Exact timings will be in your pre-departure package.
Emergencies & Unforeseen Situations
We have protocols for emergencies, injuries, and major disruptions. Please refer to the [Terms & Conditions] for full details on evacuation and rescheduling provisions.
5. Local Culture, Language, Payments & Connectivity
Absolutely. RTT runners expect more than running — they want to connect with the surroundings, history, food, and people.We build in authentic moments such as running with locals, tasting regional food, and visiting cultural sites that bring each destination to life.
All trips are conducted in English, with bilingual guides or translators on selected routes. We also welcome those who’d like to practice Chinese with our coaches and local guides.
We recommend bringing some cash in RMB, although ATMs are widely available. Most local businesses accept Alipayor WeChat Pay International, which can now be linked to foreign cards.Since our packages cover nearly all trip-related costs, extra cash is only needed for souvenirs, alcohol, or local running gear.
Yes — but note:
- Data roaming from your home SIM provides access to international apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
- Using a local Chinese SIM or Wi-Fi may restrict access unless you use a VPN.
Most hotels offer reliable Wi-Fi; however, connection can be patchy in remote mountains during runs.
Drone Usage, Photography/Videography
Drone use is subject to local regulations, which vary by region. Please let us know before your trip if you plan to bring a drone, so we can advise on applicable rules, safety, and help obtain any necessary permits.
Yes! Our team captures professional photos and video highlights on select days — free for participants.
Solo Travelers
6. Before & After Your Trip
You’ll receive a confirmation email and access to your Pre-Departure Guide, which includes:
- Training plan and gear checklist
- Visa and travel information
- Cultural tips and reading suggestions
- Emergency contacts
On some trips, yes. Companions can enjoy hiking, sightseeing, or cultural excursions while you’re on the trails. Contact us at hello@runthetrails.co for details.
Yes — we can assist with extra nights, transport, and local recommendations if you plan to arrive 1–2 days early or extend your stay after the trip.