Trail des Verriers
Semi-night trail in the Land of Glass and Crystal in Moselle
About Trail des Verriers
Running at Dusk in the Northern Vosges
Since 2016, the Trail des Verriers has gathered runners every first Saturday of May on the forest trails of Goetzenbruck, in the heart of the Glass and Crystal Country. Organized by the Foyer rural de Goetzenbruck, this semi-night trail offers a unique running experience: late afternoon and evening starts allow participants to run in the fading light of dusk, headlamp on. The event is limited to 500 runners for adult distances and regularly sells out several weeks before the start.
Routes for All Levels
The Trail des Verriers offers several formats adapted to all types of runners.
Discovery Trail 26 km
The main 26 km route with 928 meters of positive elevation gain constitutes a real technical and physical challenge. The route uses forest trails and hiking paths between Goetzenbruck, Meisenthal, and Soucht, crossing wooded and hilly landscapes typical of the Northern Vosges. Start at 7 PM.
Nature Race 12 km
A 12 km route with 448 meters of positive elevation gain offers a more accessible alternative while retaining the technical and semi-night character of the event. The route connects Goetzenbruck and Meisenthal. Start at 7:30 PM.
26 km Relay
The 26 km route can also be run as a two-person relay, allowing participants to share the effort and experience the adventure as a team.
Children's Races
Events adapted for the youngest participants are organized in the early evening starting at 5:30 PM:
- 700 m for 6-9 year olds
- 1,300 m for 10-12 year olds
- 2,600 m for 13-16 year olds
A Tribute to Glassmaking Heritage
The name “Trail des Verriers” pays tribute to the region's glassmaking tradition. Goetzenbruck and its neighboring communes — Meisenthal (famous for its glass Christmas baubles) and Soucht — form the Glass and Crystal Country, a region marked by centuries of glass industry. The trails taken by runners cross these landscapes where nature and industrial heritage blend harmoniously.
Organization and Volunteering
The Trail des Verriers is supported by the Foyer rural de Goetzenbruck and a team of volunteers from several local associations: the Club Vosgien, l'Officine du Gueux, and the young people of Saint-Louis (CAAP'S). Each edition mobilizes dozens of volunteers to ensure safety, refreshment points, and route marking.
Supervision and Safety
The trail is supervised by first aid stations distributed along the route, mountain bike followers, and a medical team. Refreshment points and aid stations along the route support runners throughout their effort.
Trail des Verriers — edition 2026
9th edition of the Trail des Verriers on Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Goetzenbruck (57), in the heart of the Pays du verre et du cristal. Semi-night trail organized by the Foyer rural de Goetzenbruck, with a 26 km course (928 m D+) between Goetzenbruck, Meisenthal, and Soucht, a 12 km course (448 m D+) between Goetzenbruck and Meisenthal, and children's races. Adult events limited to 500 runners — edition sold out several weeks before the start.
9th Edition — Saturday, May 2, 2026
The 9th edition of the Trail des Verriers took place on Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Goetzenbruck, organized by the Foyer rural de Goetzenbruck in the Pays du verre et du cristal. As every year, the event was fully booked well before the start date: the limit of 500 runners for adult distances was reached several weeks in advance.
Two adult courses and three children's races
The 2026 program followed the usual formula: a 26 km discovery trail with 928 m of positive elevation gain between Goetzenbruck, Meisenthal, and Soucht, a 12 km nature race with 448 m of positive elevation gain between Goetzenbruck and Meisenthal, and three children's races (700 m, 1,300 m, 2,600 m) according to age categories. The evening adult starts gave runners the traditional semi-night trail experience, with a headlamp mandatory.
Mandatory equipment and safety
For adult events: headlamp, whistle, survival blanket, and windbreaker were mandatory. The course was supervised by first aid stations, mountain bike followers, and a medical team, with refreshment points distributed along the entire route.
Programme Trail des Verriers 2026
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Children's Races — Start at 5:30 PM from the Goetzenbruck cultural hall
- 5:30 PM — 700 m Race (2 stadium laps) · 6-9 years old (born 2017-2020)
- 5:30 PM — 1,300 m Race · 10-12 years old (born 2014-2016)
- 5:30 PM — 2,600 m Race · 13-16 years old (born 2010-2013)
Adult Races — Start from the Goetzenbruck cultural hall
- 7:00 PM — 26 km Discovery Trail (928 m D+) · Forest paths and hiking trails between Goetzenbruck, Meisenthal, and Soucht. Also runnable as a two-person relay.
- 7:30 PM — 12 km Nature Race (448 m D+) · Nature course between Goetzenbruck and Meisenthal.
Highlights Trail des Verriers 2026
- 9th edition of the semi-night trail of Goetzenbruck in the Northern Vosges
- 26 km Discovery Trail (928 m D+) between Goetzenbruck, Meisenthal, and Soucht
- 12 km Nature Race (448 m D+) between Goetzenbruck and Meisenthal
- Possibility to run the 26 km as a two-person relay
- Three children's races at 5:30 PM (700 m / 1,300 m / 2,600 m)
- Adult events limited to 500 runners — edition sold out several weeks before the start
- In the heart of the Pays du verre et du cristal (Goetzenbruck, Meisenthal, Soucht)
Prices Trail des Verriers 2026
Practical information — Trail des Verriers
Access
Goetzenbruck is located in the Northern Vosges, approximately 80 km east of Metz.
By car: From Metz, take the A4 towards Strasbourg, exit Sarreguemines, then D662 towards Goetzenbruck (approx. 1h15).
Parking: Free parking near the cultural hall.
Start and Finish Location
Cultural Hall of Goetzenbruck
57620 Goetzenbruck
Schedule
- Children's races: 5:30 PM
- 26 km Trail: 7 PM
- 12 km Nature Race: 7:30 PM
Mandatory Equipment
For adult races (12 km and 26 km): headlamp, whistle, survival blanket, and windbreaker. Trail running shoes highly recommended.
On-site Services
Changing rooms, showers, toilets, medical assistance, car and bike parking, entertainment, and on-site catering (bar, light refreshments).
Registration
Online registration via the platform registration4all.com (link from the official website traildesverriers.com). Adult events limited to 500 runners in total, regularly showing "FULL" several weeks before the event.
Contact
Foyer rural de Goetzenbruck
Email: [email protected]
Website: traildesverriers.com
Facebook: Trail des Verriers
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Where does it take place — Trail des Verriers
Salle culturelle de Goetzenbruck
Salle culturelle, Goetzenbruck, 57620 Goetzenbruck