Grand Trail des Lacs & Châteaux - Winter Edition 2026

The Grand Trail des Lacs & Châteaux - Winter Edition begins in Ovifat, a Walloon village in Belgium, situated next to the Haute Fagnes-Eifel Nature Park and close to the Ovifat ski slope. This early November trail event offers three distances: approximately 12 km, 22 km, or 38 km. The longer races are eligible for UTMB Index points. The shortest route involves significant climbing, with around 520 m of elevation gain, while the 22 km route ascends about 1120 m and the 38 km route about 1540 m. The courses start on a high, steep slope near the Signal de Botrange area, not far from Belgium’s highest elevation. Participants will encounter continuous hills, forest ascents, stream crossings, technical singletrack, faster gravel sections, and descents leading into the Warche and Bayehon river valleys. In colder weather, frost or snow can transform these trails into a true winter challenge. The field typically includes seasoned trail runners seeking a demanding race and less experienced participants opting for the shorter distance.