About This Event
Trail Alsace by UTMB offers runners a unique journey through the historic and cultural landscape of France's Alsace region. The event takes participants through time-honored terrain featuring castles, vineyards, and the rich heritage of the Grand Est region. As part of the prestigious UTMB World Series, the race provides runners with an authentic French trail running experience while maintaining the high standards associated with the global ultra-trail network. The event spans multiple days in mid-May, with races designed to accommodate various skill levels through a structured Running Stones qualification system. From the accessible Trail des Ecuyers to the challenging Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers, each distance offers its own character while showcasing the distinctive beauty of Alsace's countryside and historical landmarks.
Choose Your Distance
10.5K
The course weaves through mixed terrain characteristic of the lower Alsace foothills. Runners encounter vineyard trails, forest paths, and occasional village sections that define the region's topography. Specific elevation details have not been published, but the route maintains the rolling character typical of wine country terrain rather than steep Alpine climbs.
18K
Starting in Obernai, the route heads into the vineyards that blanket the eastern slopes of the Vosges. The course follows a mixture of wide vineyard tracks and narrower forest trails, with the terrain varying throughout. Runners should expect both runnable sections through the vines and more technical passages where roots and rocks require attention. The route returns to Obernai after a tour through the surrounding countryside, finishing in the town center where UTMB World Series events traditionally create a festival atmosphere.
29K
47K
The course circles through the Alsatian wine country surrounding Obernai, alternating between vineyard paths, forest trails, and brief village passages. Expect sustained climbs through terraced vineyards where footing can be technical, with narrow dirt paths between vine rows. Forest sections provide shade and singletrack variety, typically on well-maintained trails through mixed deciduous woodland. The route includes several villages where cobblestone streets and stone steps interrupt the rhythm before returning to dirt.
109K
The route traverses the limestone and sandstone trails of the Northern Vosges, moving between dense forest sections and open vineyard country where runners pass beneath medieval castle ruins that mark territorial boundaries dating back centuries. Terrain varies from well-maintained forest roads to technical rocky sections requiring careful foot placement, particularly when conditions are wet. The course connects multiple villages where local support and cultural immersion add dimension to the physical challenge, with aid stations typically featuring regional specialties alongside standard ultra nutrition.
156K
The flagship 156-kilometer ultra presents the ultimate test with 5100 meters of elevation gain across the Alsace region. This formidable challenge rewards finishers with four Running Stones and represents one of the most demanding experiences in the UTMB World Series network.