For runners seeking solace from the world of traditional road racing – where flat, fast courses and personal records dominate – mountain running is the stuff of dreams. It’s a place where adventurous souls and outdoor lovers unite and leave their egos at the start line, rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s best runners while enjoying challenging yet picturesque courses in some of the beautiful places in the world. These are just a few of the epic mountain races from across Europe.

Snowdonia Marathon, UK

The Snowdonia Marathon was conceived 33 years ago as an alternative to the many road events in the UK, and has proven to be very popular: it has been voted the UK’s best marathon twice by Runners World readers. The race is held in October and the scenic route circles Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales and England, with a couple of steep climbs of around 1,200ft. As well as great views of the rugged Welsh countryside (and plenty of sheep), there’s a festival atmosphere and copious quantities of food and beer at the finish to celebrate with the locals.

Trans D’Havet, Italy

Launched in 2012, Trans D’Havet is a relative newcomer on the European mountain race scene. Set in Italy’s ‘Piccole Dolomiti’ in the Alpine foothills of Vicenza, it incorporates 80 and 40 kilometre routes transversing the spectacular mountain trails, with 5,500m and 2,500m of elevation gain respectively. Runners navigate scree paths, steep climbs and pass through no less than 52 tunnels cut through the mountainous region, which is considered sacred due to the battles fought here during the First World War. The local weather in October can be inhospitable and unpredictable; the race was called off in 2014, but 2013 saw elite runners Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg coming away with gold medals.

Trans Gran Canaria, Spain

Not strictly mountains, but the 125 kilometre route climbs the equivalent of Everest (8,500m of positive ascent in total) and takes in the equivalent elevation of Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), making the Trans Gran Canaria one of the harder and more technical European mountain races. Held on the volcanic island of Gran Canaria in March, the race attracts some of the world’s best runners: Anton Krupika and Núria Picas both competed in 2014. The long course starts at 11:00pm from Agaete on the North West coast of the island and takes in 1,000m of positive ascent over the first ten kilometres. Runners tackle the relentless climbs through the night and the duration of the next day, with many having of endure a second night to meet the 31 hour cut-off. There are also 83k, 44k and 17k races.

Mount Blanc Marathon, France

There’s something for everyone at the Marathon du Mont-Blanc: an 80k race, marathon, half marathon, 10k and vertical kilometre race, so can be a great introduction to mountain running. Chamonix, Europe’s skiing and mountaineering capital, plays host to nearly 15,000 runners over the race weekend in June. The courses are described as very technical by race organisers, but efforts are rewarded by a sumptuous panorama of the Mont-Blanc range and the Chamonix valley.

Tromsø Skyrace, Norway

Described as ‘soul skyrunning between the sea and the sky’, the Tromsø Skyrace is an event considered by most that enter, to be an unforgettable adventure, rather than a competitive race. Organised by top ultra runners Emelie Forsberg and Kilian Jornet to encapsulate everything they love about running, the route takes in the exposed, rugged countryside in the northern extremes of Norway. There’s an impressive 4,500m of climb over the 45km route, all on technical trails with lots of steep scrambling sections and narrow paths.