Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB® 2026

Get your calves and your conquering mindset ready 🔥

We’re taking you to the Grand Est for an epic adventure that would make Game of Thrones look like a simple stroll ⚔️. The Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB® is the unmissable May meet-up where sweat meets history amid vineyards and fir trees 🌲. You’ll set down your bags in Colmar, in the Haut-Rhin, for a time-traveling, sporty journey that will leave you with unforgettable memories (and maybe a few aches and pains) 😍. Besides, as you wander through the colorful lanes of “Little Venice,” you’ll feel like you’ve been dropped into a Miyazaki set—he drew inspiration from Colmar to create Howl’s Moving Castle.

No kidding about the program: there’s something for everyone, from a twitchy sprint to an ultra that will have you seeing stars ⭐️. If you’re hungry for speed, the Trail des Ecuyers at 10.5 km with its 400 mD+ will deliver a pure adrenaline shot, while the Ronde des Pages at 18 km with its 250 mD+ will be the perfect warm-up before things get serious ⚡. For those who like something more substantial, the Trail des Pèlerins at 29 km for 800 mD+ or the Trail des Celtes at 47 km with its 1,600 mD+ will give you a taste of Alsatian charm without draining your energy reserves too much 🥴. But if you’re the “all or nothing” type, the flagship races are waiting to turn you into a living legend 👊. The Ultra-Trail des Païens, with its 108 km and 3,900 mD+, starts in Orschwiller to take you to challenge the famous pagan wall of Mont Sainte-Odile, in the middle of a unique Celtic atmosphere ☘️. But the video game’s final boss is the Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers 🛡️. With its 158 km and 5,100 mD+, this wild crossing starts from Lac Blanc at over 1,100 m of altitude. You’ll climb higher than troop morale on a Friday night, passing the Tour du Faudé, the Brezouard, and the record-holder for the region’s highest village: Aubure 🏔️. The vibe on this trail is as warm as a flammekueche coming out of the oven, and the passage by the majestic Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg is the highlight of your adventure 🥨. You’ll run on ancient roads, brush past medieval ruins like those of Landsberg or Bernstein, and tower over the Alsace plain with a view of the Black Forest that’ll make you forget your legs are begging you to stop 🌟. What’s more, this trail is a key step for those dreaming of the UTMB® Mont-Blanc 🥵. The flagship 158 km race earns you 4 running stones, a precious pass for the lotteries 🎟️. It’s the perfect opportunity to validate your skills on technical, wild terrain 🌱.

Once you cross the finish line on the ramparts of Obernai, the mission is far from over, because this is a region for bon vivants 🍷. Don’t even think about heading straight home: recovery here is a matter of terroir. Savor those exquisite white wines and a good choucroute as you relive your epic crossing 🥬. Then go get lost in the picturesque lanes of Colmar or pay a visit to the masterpieces of the Unterlinden Museum 🖼️. For a royal experience without the 15% climbs, treat yourself to a boat ride along the canals—it’s the best way to see the city from another angle without putting your quads to work 🦵. Alsace is a land of discoveries to be experienced as much with your eyes as with your taste buds 😋.

So, will you have Alsace (and Lorraine)? 🤪