Trail running course near Obernai, Grand Est, FR
Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB

Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB 47K

47K·267m gain·Obernai, France
ultra50kmountainforesttrailqualifier

AI-generated image

Distance47K
Gain267m
Date15 May 2026
Difficulty3/5

About This Race

A 47K trail run, Obernai, Grand Est.

Elevation Profile

Elevation profile estimated from terrain data. Actual course may differ.

The course gains 267m over 47km, with the steepest section between km 37–km 37.

Location

Practical Info

Weather

Mid-May brings late spring conditions with temperatures typically ranging from 10-20°C (50-68°F). Expect full leaf coverage in forests, which provides shade but can hold morning dampness. Rain remains possible, though the region sees decreasing precipitation through spring. Long daylight hours with sunrise around 6:00 AM and sunset after 9:00 PM.

Accommodation

Obernai offers hotels and guesthouses ranging from traditional Alsatian inns to modern properties, with advance booking recommended given the town's popularity on the Wine Route. Strasbourg, 30 kilometers north, provides additional lodging options with train connections to Obernai. Many runners combine the race with visits to nearby wineries and castle ruins in the Vosges foothills.

Best For

ultra runnersUTMB qualifierstrail enthusiasts

Other Distances at This Event

10.5K

400m gain

Despite its shorter distance, this 10.5-kilometer course packs substantial elevation gain that provides a concentrated challenge. The Trail des Ecuyers offers an intense but brief introduction to the region's terrain character.

18K

38m gain

The route navigates the distinctive landscape where the Alsace plain meets the Vosges foothills. Runners traverse vineyard paths that have defined this wine-growing region for centuries, with sections passing within view of medieval fortifications that dot the ridgelines. The mixed terrain includes established trail sections and vineyard access paths, requiring attention to footing but remaining runnable throughout for prepared participants.

29K

63m gain

Detailed course information for 2026 has not been released. Historical editions have incorporated Alsace's characteristic terrain: vineyard trails with exposure and views across the Rhine valley, forested ascents into the Vosges foothills, and ridgeline sections that connect the region's wine country to its mountain culture. Runners should anticipate mixed surfaces including dirt trails, forest paths, and potentially brief paved sections through villages, with technical demands typical of managed trail networks rather than wilderness routes.

109K

565m gain

The route departs from Obernai, a well-preserved medieval town that serves as the cultural and logistical hub for the event. Runners encounter the characteristic mixed terrain of the region, where maintained trails alternate with more technical sections requiring focused attention. The course weaves through areas marked by centuries of European history, though specific routing details and aid station locations have not been published. The distance and terrain combination necessitates headlamp use for most runners, as finishing times will extend well beyond daylight hours. Course marking follows UTMB World Series standards, with clear waymarking throughout the route.

156K

641m gain

The 156K course departs from Obernai, a town that has preserved its medieval fortifications and serves as gateway to the Alsace Wine Route. Runners traverse mixed terrain including forest singletrack through the Vosges foothills, fire roads connecting ridge systems, and vineyard trails that occasionally open to views across the Rhine plain toward Germany's Black Forest. The route's character shifts between technical wooded sections requiring careful footing and more runnable passages through agricultural landscapes, with navigation supported by UTMB's standard marking protocols.