Trail du Grand Ballon 2027

Twice a year, trail races ascend Grand Ballon, the Vosges' highest point, winding through the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park in Haut-Rhin. The series centers on villages like Oderen and Willer-sur-Thur, designed for mountain running, not flat-road speed. The primary Trail du Grand Ballon offers five distances, ranging from an 8 km route with 290 m elevation gain to a 70 km race with 3,320 m gain. This allows the event to accommodate cautious newcomers, regular trail runners, and those seeking a long day in the mountains. Across all Grand Ballon events, participation now exceeds 6,000 runners annually. The courses utilize the slopes surrounding Grand Ballon and, uniquely, may cross the summit itself; these are the only races in over 40 years granted such permission. Another Grand Ballon program begins in Willer-sur-Thur, passes through Goldbach-Altenbach, and presents three distinct choices: La Montee, a 14.2 km mountain race with 1,220 m of climb; the Defi du Grand Ballon, a 25 km trail loop toward the summit with 1,320 m of climb; and the Mini-Trail de l'Ostein, a 9 km nature race with 350 m of climb for those trying trail running in a less demanding format. La Montee is part of the Trophee des Vosges, targeting Espoir, Senior, and Master runners aged 20 and older, while the Mini-Trail is open to a broader audience.