Chris Ord

Bali Coast2Coast 2026 🇮🇩 Sweaty, misty, rainy, muddy FUN. 110km over 5 days to cross the island north to south. I love this tour ♡ Yeh I'm biased as someone who grew up in humidity... but this tour melts together all the things I love. Travelling, mountains, immersing yourself in another culture, a challenge, running, eating, swimming and m'love. Third tour and so proud of this group for making it across. It wasn't easy, but that's the point... pushing past that point of comfort to something new and unknown ♡ 2027 is a go - with dates being 26th April to 2nd May 2027 🥳 if you're keen, you can lock in your spot on the TourdeTrails website. Tour season is in full swing with Japan #1, Dolomites and Japan #2 in the next 3 months!! One Life. Not enough trails... ♡

Some beautiful memories from the TDT Tour Class of 2025' - with lots of ups and downs (only referring to vert of course) and all the good vibes. Whilst we always have a lot of familiar faces who are like family to us, in 2025 we also had a lot of new faces join us in Bali and the UK. Welcome to the TDT fam, the best odd family you can be a part of ;) You guys were all a hoot! Both Chris and I would like to say thank you for entrusting us in providing an experience that will hopefully stay with you for a long time. Personally, for us, the laughter, drinks shared, experiences on trail and stories shared with you all are cherished immensely. We will see many of you this year in 2026 for one of our biggest tour years! Bali, Japan (x2), Italy, Timor, Bhutan + plus a sneaky lil wedding in the middle too. One Life, Many Trails ♡ your guides, Woody and Pocahontas

That moment on a mountain, when you stop looking down and remember to look back. It's the appreciation moment, the perspective moment, the take a breath and wonder moment. It's a big moment not just because you see where you have come from, the summit you shared with a hypnotic sunrise (and in this case also with the love of your life, seen here still balancing her way down the ridge) - it's a big moment because all at once it rushes through you where you're not, how you made choices to be where you are, where everyone else is and how precious it is to be here, and to have remembered to look back. Always look back, not with regret ... how could you regret anything that led with you being here in this moment. No, look back with a rush of gratitude. As a guide I am annoying in reminding all those on our @tourdetrails journeys to stop, look back. All. The . Bloody. Time. They all think I mean at the view they just ran out of, which I do, but I also mean to ocassionally look back through their time and give credit to themselves for the choices they made to be in a moment clambering down a ridgeline, flush with a summit sunrise, a ridgeline of thrills ahead, a flowing forest trail leading to a truly artisan Japanese cocktail in a bolthole bar post onsen salve. Why wouldn't you thank yourself for whatever your decision tree was that led you here? Ps. feel free to make such a decision by joining us on this very ridgeline in June 2026 - spots still open for our inaugural Tour de Japan Trail Run Tour. @tourdetrails website for details and booking.

👀 Looking for a Runventure in 2026? We've got you covered. The Tour de Trails crew is heading to Bali, Japan, Italy, Timor Leste and Bhutan. Epic trails, delicious food, memorable experiences with like minded adventurers and a whole lotta laughs, that's what we're all about. ....AND a special early bird promo for those who grab a spot prior to the New Year. • BALI Coast2Coast DATES: 27th April - 3rd May 2026 TRAIL TYPE: End to End - Coast to Coast TOTAL DISTANCE: 100km (approx) HIGHLIGHTS: Mt Batukaru, UNESCO Jatiluwih Rice Fields, the serenity of Central Bali, the beautiful people, mid and post run swims and of course the amazing food. /tour-de-bali-2026 • TOUR de JAPAN (June) DATES: 7th - 14th June 2026 *August dates have sold out TRAIL TYPE: Mountainous - Ridgelines - Pilgrimage TOTAL DISTANCE: 90km (approx) HIGHLIGHTS: Mountain ranges including a Yarigatake sunrise summit, Yatsugatake, beautiful mountain towns including Takayama, Kamikochi and Matsumoto. The beautifully preserved towns of Tsumago/Magome on the Nakasendo trail and of course the cuisine/culture. /tour-de-japan-2026 • TOUR de DOLOMITES DATES: 20th -27th July 2026 *2 spots remain TRAIL TYPE: Mountainous - Ridgelines TOTAL DISTANCE: 110km (approx) HIGHLIGHTS: The Sassolungo mountains, Vajolet Towers, the iconic peaks of Rosengarten Nature Park, San Nicolò pass and a summit excursion to Piz Boe. /tour-de-dolomites-2026 • TOUR de TIMOR DATES: 14th -20th September 2026 TOTAL DISTANCE: 98km + bonus 20km if up for it (Island Adventure extension) TOTAL ASCENT: 6070m ascent stunning mountains + bonus 660m if up for it (Island Adventure extension) HIGHLIGHTS: Summiting Mt Tatamailau / Ramelau (2,986m), plunging valleys, river dips, village visits, traditional huts, Timorese culture, food and coffeeeeee! /tour-de-timor ! Special Offer ! EARLY BIRD PROMO With ANY 2026 tour sign up before the 1st January 2026 - you will receive a pass for free entry into ALL 2026 TourdeTrails original events. events are limited to Warburton Trails Fest (multi day inc), Surf Coast Trail Marathon and AfterGlow.

Japan Run Tour 2026 - who's coming? Check out these vistas (and ladder climbs - no running for this little section)! This is the sunrise mission to the top of Mt Yari - Japan's fifth highest mountain. The day before (tour day #1) we run (and trek) up a stunning valley trail, eventually up the zig zags you see in the middle of shot at one point, to the hut on the summit shoulder. We overnight in comfort here, before a sunrise summit (for those not keen on heights - you get to sleep in, then just watch the sunrise from the hut balcony over the peak). Then we descend for breakfast at the hut and off for a run back down the valley. Two options - take the ridge of Yari, with a few exhilarating moments before rejoining the valley trail lower down. Or come back the way we ran in for those a little nervous. We then bus/train back into the beautiful Takayama - a small city full of old town charm. Maybe a onsen if we're lucky. And a summit celebrating cocktail - trust us, Japanese cocktail bars are small, full of ambiance, and the best in the world as they make it an art form. We still have SEVEN spots left on our JUNE tour. Come join! /tour-de-japan-2026

The power, pitfalls and practicalities of a purpose-driven life outdoors, with Chris Ord If you’ve been on the receiving end of a hug from Chris at a finish line, then you know precisely how passionate this guy is about trail running and community. Today’s podcast guest is Chris Ord, founder of Trail Run Mag and Tour de Trails, and is responsible for some of the most loved and inclusive events on the Victorian calendar. Whilst any conversation with Chris is relaxed and enjoyable, it is also filled with passion, drive, and a sense of purpose. In these two conversations spanning two years, we touch on many topics, including the transformative effect that spending time outdoors in nature has had on Chris, the impact of climate change on events and the changing trail and ultra industry in Victoria. To hear more from Chris, check out this week’s podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, via the link in bio 🔗👆🏼

New Tour // DOLOMITES 2026✨️🏃‍♀️ Our clients requested time and time again.... and finally we are making our way to the dreamy landscape that is the stunning Dolomites. We'll be staying in a region know as the Fassa Valley, in the western part of the region. Some trail highlights include circumnavigating the Sassolungo mountains, running towards the Vajolet Towers, the iconic peaks of Rosengarten Nature Park, a beautiful downhill excursion through the San Nicolò pass, running through the Seceda region to see some iconic viewpoints and a summit excursion to Piz Boe. And don’t worry, we will make sure to stop at the Rifugio’s along the way to savour the moment and enjoy some food. An 8day/7night tour that includes 6 days of running, 110km total distance and 5,000m approx of climbing. 15-25km days at your own pace (run when you can, hike fast when you can’t), but as always we cater to our clients making sure everyone has the best experience they can on trail! The terrain is steep and technical, with some flowy blissful descents intertwined. We are limited to 10 spots on this tour (with two already taken) so if you’d like to join us in the dreamy Dolomites for 2026, secure your spot on the TDT website below. /tour-de-dolomites-2026 One Life. Many Trails.

Chris and I are so lucky to have the opportunity to curate these experiences for others who, just like us.... like to challenge their bodies, and immerse themselves in such beautiful places. Japan was a mountain dream, and it's an honour that we could have 10 people sign up to join our dream in a matter of hours. To our TdT fam who keep coming to dream with us around the world.... From Chris and I, 'Arigato'. One Life. Many Trails.

The Japan Alps recce continues ... Two big days in big mountain terrain of Yarigatake , and tired legs told us to pause. A day spent contemplating the big drop day off Yari and suitability for a tour, multiple (amazing) coffees at @hangout_coffee_ and the plan crystallised. Yari is IN and we will still take in a few breath-stealing kniferidges and ladders on the alternative descent , but will eventually rejoin the ascent trail to roll back into Kamikochi . Day four (of the recce)... was this mission for us : a 25km loop targeting Mt Aka (2899m), and a ridgeline including Yoko-dake (2826m) and Io-dake (2750m) with a bunch of razor wedge pinnacles in between. A few mountain huts en route meant food and shelter was a given. The route up was all fairytale forests, in every hue of green enough to challenge any mountain painter's palette. Fort hut marked the easy up transition to the up up up for Mt Ake. Even with rolling clouds the views appeared on and off and the adrenaline of a little via ferrata scramble added to the adventure. A little less running on the first half of the ridge to a tasty bowl of udon noodles and tempura, and eventually the ridge gave us some run to the drop zone. From there, technical but runnable down through stunning forests. Verdict - 25km and 1730m of uppage (including 342m in one kilometre at one stretch) for a Class A for adventure trail that we rate as one of the best we've done. IN for the tour ! Tomorrow - an 'easy' day exploring a section of the Nakasendo Pilgrim trail and old postal towns. In the tour this would be a break day between two days on Yari and the big Aka Loop. Stay tuned ... bring ya bear bells !

So - Day Two Recce ended up being why we do recces. We take the hits so you don't have to! Don't get us wrong - we had an EPIC day of adventure. And there's some of you out there I know would have lapped every hairy moment up. But we do have risk management at play and our spidey senses were a-tingling on this one. So first it was early 4am up at the hut with sunrise pinged for 4.30am. It clings on the shoulder of the summit so it's only a 200m vertical climb / scramble up. Lots of via ferrata , lots of exposure. Nothing that will put off anyone with a head for heights and a dose of self preservation! All achievable. But this is not the tour for anyone with vertigo or a serious fear of heights (ie anyone who would freeze, panic and not be able to work through being up high on a steel ladder on the side of a 3180m mountain). The reward though - sunrise over a low blanket of cloud and sister peaks glowing in morning rays. We can't promise the same on tour - weather being weather, but we can and will get you up here. Ok so with summit experience a tick, the next part was where we started contemplating options and revisions. We took a hairline ridge down the face of the mountain - steep, but ok. Following it around we took on more via ferrata and some 'interesting' sections. Still within bounds of an adventure tour. Then came a section crossing a landslip. Super exposed. We pushed on but no way we would put guests on that. A few more line balls and it came good with excellent ridge run sections and a massive bomb to the valley floor (3000m + descent for the day). Overall an adventure worth having - but the exit point was closed due to a landslip over the road. We had to run down another 5 or so kay, had an argument with a mad monkey that we nearly lost, and were stranded until we connected with our hotel who organised a $120 taxi back to town. So - how to pivot for the tour design? Stay tuned for follow up posts ...

Recce Day One: the climb to Mt Yari (3180m)! Stunning 11km-ish running through lush forests up the valley before the landscape tilts up and its power trek time for the next 10km... still some runnable sections until last 3km is all about up! Views back down the valley give you a sense of the climb, quickly! Up above, Hutte Yarigatake Sanso (after passing a few smaller huts). Sanso is a larger hutte, well organised and our bed and food for the night and morning. Views when the clouds part are spectacular. We arrived at circa 3.30pm after a 10am departure at Kamikochi - meant to arrive at hut by 3! There are a few mountaineering rules here and that was one. Accomm is dorm style large bunks, comfy as. BYO earplugs for snorers. Altitude can give a slight headache so hydrate well and bring some Panadol. Food is simple but good, not huge portions so good to have some personal calories on you also. There's a small kiosk and vending machines with beer ;). Cheers to that. Early dinner - 5pm - ready for a mountain morning ... 4am for 4.30am summit sunrise ... well save that for the next post ... plus what happens when the trail gets epic and how do you make a decision on risk tolerance for tour? Stay tuned ...

Why do a recce? Why not? But seriously ... day one of our recce to design a run tour in Nagano Japan... we'll post a few behind the scenes here in coming days to lift the lid on how we go about curating a tour. Of course, prior to hitting the trails we have 'a plan' but that's a starting point. Deskbased mapping and research rarely mirrors accurately what's on the ground. And we want to be sure to create a memorable and importantly safe experience for our guests. So here we are - exploring how much reality meets dreams in Nagano Japan, for a 2026 tour. Welcome to the recce ... Day One - 21km, 1600m vert. Hut stay. Met expectations? Hell yes . A good 11km of stunning runnable trails , before the trek as it got steep and the air got thin. Day's end at above 3000m so you feel it. More #trailporn for Day One in following post. A bit of an intro yap here ...