D&D 5E Racial Traits: what do they exactly include?

[Strider1973]

In the Monster Manual, p.342, it is written that you can add Racial Traits to NPCs without altering their Challenge Rating. But what are the traits exactly considered as "racial", according to RAW? Are "sub racial traits" considered as "racial traits"? For instance, if i want to create a High Elf Archmage do I add him also the High Elf Cantrip Feature, or if I want to create a Wood Elf Scout do I add her the Mask of the Wild feature? Or do you consider "racial traits" only the major race racial traits?
Many thanks, happy life and happy gaming,
S.1973

 

[Beleriphon]

In the Monster Manual, p.342, it is written that you can add Racial Traits to NPCs without altering their Challenge Rating. But what are the traits exactly considered as "racial", according to RAW? Are "sub racial traits" considered as "racial traits"? For instance, if i want to create a High Elf Archmage do I add him also the High Elf Cantrip Feature, or if I want to create a Wood Elf Scout do I add her the Mask of the Wild feature? Or do you consider "racial traits" only the major race racial traits?
Many thanks, happy life and happy gaming,
S.1973

Racial traits are basically anything that modify a character. As you noted the high elf cantrips, or a wood elf Mask of the Wild are both racial traits. As are the stat adjustments.

 

[Parmandur]

In the Monster Manual, p.342, it is written that you can add Racial Traits to NPCs without altering their Challenge Rating. But what are the traits exactly considered as "racial", according to RAW? Are "sub racial traits" considered as "racial traits"? For instance, if i want to create a High Elf Archmage do I add him also the High Elf Cantrip Feature, or if I want to create a Wood Elf Scout do I add her the Mask of the Wild feature? Or do you consider "racial traits" only the major race racial traits?
Many thanks, happy life and happy gaming,
S.1973

The DMG has a section with a table laying that out.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

If you check out any of the AP's, you will run into some examples of what counts. Usually something along the lines of Mac Guffin is a veteran with the following changes:

He has advantage on saves against poison.

He wields an ax instead of a broadsword......

For the most part I would avoid stat adjustments, as there is too much potential to change the CR, and I probably wouldn't include anything for the commoners.