Held over April 25–26, 2026, the Trail du Grand Ballon invites trail runners to challenge themselves across multiple distances—from 16 km to 70 km—through the rugged beauty of the Vosges Mountains starting and finishing at Le Markstein ski resort. The steep mountain terrain features significant elevation gain, with some courses reaching up to 1,320 m D+. It’s one of the region’s most anticipated trail events, routinely selling out quickly (4,000 runner capacity in 2025), and attracting participants seeking both high-performance racing and alpine scenery. The event is also part of the global trail running community, offering UTMB® index points—70 km for 100K index, 37 km and 49 km for 50K index—and with plans to launch a 100 km ultra in 2026. Weather in late April is notoriously variable—from snow to sunshine—adding an element of unpredictability and allure to the mountain challenge.
Race
8 km
Race Date:
25 April, 2026
The 8 km trail, scheduled for 25–26 April 2026 at Le Markstein, Oderen, France, is organized by the Trail du Grand Ballon team as an accessible introduction to mountain running for beginners and families.
Weather based on historical averages.
FAQs
What is the Trail du Grand Ballon 8km?
How long is the Trail du Grand Ballon 8km?
Where does the Trail du Grand Ballon 8km take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Trail du Grand Ballon 8km?
How can I prepare for the Trail du Grand Ballon 8km?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Trail du Grand Ballon 8km?
The 8 km trail, scheduled for 25–26 April 2026 at Le Markstein, Oderen, France, is organized by the Trail du Grand Ballon team as an accessible introduction to mountain running for beginners and families.
The Trail du Grand Ballon 8km is 8km long.
The Trail du Grand Ballon 8km takes place in Oderen, France.
The Trail du Grand Ballon 8km elevation gain is 290 metres, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Trail du Grand Ballon 8km?
The 8 km trail, scheduled for 25–26 April 2026 at Le Markstein, Oderen, France, is organized by the Trail du Grand Ballon team as an accessible introduction to mountain running for beginners and families.
How long is the Trail du Grand Ballon 8km?
The Trail du Grand Ballon 8km is 8km long.
Where does the Trail du Grand Ballon 8km take place?
The Trail du Grand Ballon 8km takes place in Oderen, France.
What is the elevation gain of the Trail du Grand Ballon 8km?
The Trail du Grand Ballon 8km elevation gain is 290 metres, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
How can I prepare for the Trail du Grand Ballon 8km?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Trail du Grand Ballon 8km?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
More
Sport:
Running
Tags:
Nature
Altitude
This event listing is for informational purposes only. Runna is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Trail du Grand Ballon 2026 or Trail du Grand Ballon. All event details are based on publicly available information and are provided solely to help users discover running events. Runna does not use any official logos, images, or proprietary content from this event or its organiser. Any trademarks or names mentioned are used descriptively to identify the event in a factual manner. For the most accurate and up to date information (including to register or purchase an entry to the event), please visit the Trail du Grand Ballon 2026 website.