Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB

What the Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB is

The UTMB World Series landed in north-eastern France with a format very different from Chamonix: no glaciers or 2,500 m passes, but a 116 km route with 4,200 m of climbing linking Alsatian castles, wine villages and fir forests in the Vosges. The start is in Orschwiller, at the foot of Haut-Koenigsbourg, and the whole thing adds up to constant climbing that feels harder than the numbers suggest.

The route

The key to the Ultra Trail des Païens is contrast: very fast vineyard sections, castle paths with steps and rock, and long forest kilometres. There is no mythical climb, but dozens of short rises that never let you settle. In May you can start in sun and finish in rain, and the night up high drops below ten degrees.

How to prepare

This is a race for runners with ultra experience: total climbing rewards prior volume and short-hill work. Coming from Spain is straightforward: drive from the border, or fly to Strasbourg and take an hour of road. Spend the day before checking the start area and the village, and book in Selestat, Ribeauvillé or Kaysersberg if you want to sleep close and eat well.

The full pack

Gear matters less here than in high mountains, but windproof and head torch are non-negotiable. Check the regional race calendar to pair this with the Infernal Trail des Vosges, and sort travel and fuelling with the planner before entries close.