Running the volcanic trails of Mount Ijen

Four trail distances

Every edition of Ijen Trail Running offers four routes, from a short entry trail to the full 105 KM crossing of the crater region.

Race regulations (Peraturan Perlombaan) and a race map for all distances are published on the race information page.

Race Information & Rules · Registration & Entry List

What the Blue Fire is

The blue flames at the bottom of the Ijen crater are caused by sulfur mining activities. Miners carry out their work through the night, and the phenomenon has become the signature sight of the race area.

Race routes run through the landscape of Kawah Ijen, Gunung Merapi, and Gunung Raung — steep volcanic terrain, long climbs, and exposed ridgelines.

Ijen Trail Running is an annual trail running event held in the Ijen Volcano area of East Java, near Bondowoso, and organized by the local government authority. The event has been held since 2015 and draws runners from across Indonesia and beyond to take on courses that wind through volcanic terrain, crater rims, and highland ridges. It is one of the region's defining sporting fixtures, combining demanding mountain running with the stark, otherworldly scenery of an active volcanic landscape.

The four race distances offered at Ijen Trail Running cross varied and unforgiving terrain around Kawah Ijen, Gunung Merapi, and Gunung Raung. Routes range across high-altitude trails with long climbs, exposed ridgelines, and steep technical descents, giving space for both first-time mountain runners and experienced racers seeking a serious challenge. Each distance is designed to showcase a different aspect of the volcano complex, from forest approaches to the crater edge and its famous Blue Fire trails.

The Blue Fire trails are the signature element of the Ijen experience. At night, natural gas escaping from the crater burns with a vivid blue flame that locals have traditionally used for lighting, and the phenomenon has become one of the most photographed attractions in East Java. The race programme is built around this landscape, with runners encountering the crater environment in darkness, where the glow of the burning sulfur illuminates the trail and creates an atmosphere found almost nowhere else on earth.

Course preparation at Ijen is a serious undertaking. Runners face thin mountain air, changing weather, volcanic ash, and loose ground that demands careful footing and a steady pacing strategy. Aid stations are positioned along the routes, and experienced local pacers and marshals are familiar with the terrain, the weather patterns, and the sections where caution is required. Because of the altitude and the unpredictable conditions, many participants spend months building endurance and acclimatizing before attempting the longer distances.

Beyond the racing, Ijen Trail Running has grown into a broader community of trail running enthusiasts based in Bondowoso and the surrounding regency. Training groups, route reconnaissance sessions, and shared mountain runs connect local athletes with visitors who come specifically for the Ijen trails. The event also opens pathways for volunteers, marshals, and race crews to take part, offering an entry point for people who want to experience the mountain environment even without a starting number.

The event is organized with support from the municipal government of Bondowoso, which plays a central role in permitting the race, managing access to the conservation area, and coordinating the safety operations required for a mass-participation event in a national park setting. Working alongside park authorities and local communities allows the routes to be maintained and the trails protected. This institutional backing is a defining feature of Ijen Trail Running and helps shape the event's structure from registration through to race day logistics.

Race information, route details, and registration guidance are published through the event's official website, which serves as the main reference point for participants. The site presents the four distance categories, general information about the race format, and practical notes for those planning to travel to East Java. Prospective runners are encouraged to review the requirements carefully, prepare appropriate gear and footwear for volcanic terrain, and arrive with sufficient time to acclimatize before the start gun.

Participating in Ijen Trail Running means joining a landscape that is as much a part of the experience as the competition itself. The crater, the blue flames, the sulfur haze, and the switchback trails of the Ijen massif create a setting that rewards patience and preparation. Whether the goal is a completed distance, a personal best on a high-altitude course, or simply the memory of running beside an active crater, the event offers a distinctive and memorable chapter in Indonesian trail running.

Getting there and staying

Transportation schedules for reaching Bondowoso and the Ijen Volcano area are published for participants, together with information on local homestays and reservation options.

• Transportation & Accommodation
• Volunteer with the event
• Become a sponsor
• About us & race committee

Past editions

Race results were published for the 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 editions, with detailed performance data from each year.

Race Results Archive · Photo Gallery