La montée du Wintersberg 2026

The Wintersberg ascent begins at the Gymnase Omnisport in Niederbronn-les-Bains, leading runners into the Vosges du Grès forest during autumn. This 10.5 km uphill forest race features 470 meters of elevation gain and starts at 10:00 AM. Now in its 32nd year, the event follows a long-standing local tradition rather than being a recent trail running experiment. The course is brief enough for a hard effort but sufficiently steep to distinguish it from a road race; there are no aid stations. Participants from France and Germany are noted in the results, aligning with the race's proximity to the border. The organizers designate three route options — La Pétillante, La Douce, and La Forte — and provide record bonuses. Current records range from the low 42-minute mark for the fastest men to the mid-50-minute mark for the fastest women, varying by course choice.