Welcome to AlUla,
Saudi Arabia

Seven thousand years of civilization. Sandstone canyons carved by time. Ancient kingdoms whose traders connected Arabia, Africa, and Asia long before the modern world drew its borders. AlUla, in northwestern Saudi Arabia, is one of earth's great hidden places, and in January 2027, it becomes the newest destination of the Ultra Gobi Series.

At a Glance

Next Event: January 13–20, 2027

Registration: Opening soon

Multi-stage formats: A (121km, 4-days, team race), B (121km, 4-days, stage), C (30km, 1-day), Youth (90km, 3-days, stage)

Non-stop race: 400km, A+(121km)

Climate: Warm days and chilly nights

Airport: Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz Airport (ULH), AlUla

UPCOMING EVENTS

Registration opening soon

AlUla, Where Ancient Trade Routes Converge

AlUla's valley has been inhabited continuously for millennia, sustained by a natural oasis that made it an indispensable waypoint for caravans crossing the Arabian Peninsula. It stood at the intersection of the Incense Route, the Spice Road, and the broader network of ancient trade connections that linked the Mediterranean with India, China, and sub-Saharan Africa. These routes carried not just goods, but ideas, faiths, and languages across the ancient world.

A course 7,000 years in the making

The Ultra Gobi AlUla course unfolds through sandstone canyons, open desert plains, and wind-sculpted rock formations that have guided travelers for millennia. Unlike the Gobi, where vastness defines the experience, AlUla immerses you in closeness: running past Nabataean tombs, ancient inscriptions, and oasis valleys where kingdoms rose and fell over more than 7,000 years.

January is AlUla's finest season: days are clear and mild at around 18–21°C, while nights drop to 3–7°C, demanding full desert readiness without the brutal heat that defines the region's summer.

Destination Highlights

Hegra (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the southern capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, Hegra contains over 100 monumental tombs with elaborate facades carved directly into the sandstone. Dating back more than 2,000 years, they stand as some of the best-preserved Nabataean architecture on earth.
The Old Town of AlUla

A mud-brick settlement inhabited for centuries and only recently vacated. Its narrow alleyways and layered architecture tell the story of a community that adapted to this valley across many generations , a quiet, human counterpoint to the monumental ruins nearby.
Elephant Rock (Jabal Al-Fil)

A vast sandstone formation shaped by millennia of wind and erosion into the unmistakable silhouette of an elephant. At sunset, it glows a deep amber. One of Saudi Arabia's most iconic natural landmarks, and a short drive from the race village.
The Ancient Oasis and Dadan

Long before the Nabataeans, the Kingdom of Dadan flourished here. The archaeological remains of Dadan are among the most significant pre-Islamic sites on the Arabian Peninsula. The ancient oasis that sustained them still defines the valley's landscape today.
Stargazing

Far from city lights, AlUla's desert skies in January are among the finest in the region. After a day on the course, this is something else entirely.