Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB

An exceptional trail in the heart of Alsatian heritage

The Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB was born in May 2023 from the audacity of two trail-loving friends who convinced the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) organization to create a stage of its prestigious UTMB World Series circuit in Alsace. The idea: to leverage the exceptional richness of Alsatian heritage — castles, vineyards, Vosges forests, picturesque villages — to offer trail runners from around the world a unique sporting and cultural experience. From its very first edition, the event attracted 3,885 runners from 53 nationalities, immediately confirming its status as an international race.

Six races for all levels

The event offers a complete range of six races adapted to all runner profiles:

• Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers (UTDC): 160 km and 5,200 m of positive elevation gain, the flagship event that crosses about twenty castles, including Haut-Koenigsbourg and Hohlandsbourg.
• Ultra-Trail des Païens (UTDP): 109 km and 3,900 m D+, passing through Mont Sainte-Odile and the Vosges ridges.
• Trail des Celtes (TDC): 47 km and 1,600 m D+, a technical race in the heart of the vineyards.
• Trail des Pèlerins (TDP): 29 km and 800 m D+, an accessible course through villages and forests.
• Ronde des Pages (RDP): 18 km and 250 m D+, ideal for a first trail experience.
• Trail des Écuyers (TDE): 10.5 km and 400 m D+, reserved for 16 to 18 year olds.

Castles as landmarks

The uniqueness of the Trail Alsace Grand Est lies in its heritage route. The courses wind along the Alsace Wine Route and pass by about twenty medieval castles perched on the foothills of the Vosges. From the majestic Haut-Koenigsbourg to the mystical Mont Sainte-Odile, including Hohlandsbourg and the romantic ruins of the Trois Châteaux de Ribeauvillé, runners traverse centuries of history while tackling the technical trails of the Vosges. The villages of Turckheim, Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé, and Obernai are memorable passage and aid points.

A world-class event

Integrated into the UTMB World Series, the Trail Alsace Grand Est allows runners to accumulate Running Stones and points in the UTMB Index ranking, paving the way for the biggest international ultra-trail events. More than 700 volunteers and 30 partner municipalities ensure the logistical organization of this major event, which benefits from the support of the Collectivité européenne d'Alsace, the Région Grand Est, and the Club Vosgien.

From Colmar to the vineyards: a showcase for Alsace

With starts from Colmar and the Lac Blanc resort, and finishes in Turckheim, the trail offers an international showcase for Alsatian tourism. Accompanying persons and spectators can enjoy the trail village set up in Colmar to discover local products, entertainment, and the festive atmosphere surrounding the event. Media coverage — over 40,000 online views during the first edition — contributes to Alsace's global reach.