Trail running course in the Vosges: from beginner to advanced
In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration3 days
-
LevelIntermediate
-
DestinationGrand Est / Vosges
-
AgeUp to a 90imum of years
-
CO₂-Emissions24.26 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIn a group
-
Languages
French
English
In a few words
Discover the diverse landscapes of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park , with its magnificent lakes and exceptional biodiversity . You'll enjoy the rich mineral heritage and stunning panoramas , all with minimal carrying : you 'll explore the area from your base camp located at the Col de la Schlucht , in the heart of the Vosges Mountains . During these days, you'll learn essential running techniques to improve your trail running: uphill running , downhill running, running on rough terrain , and using poles. Three levels are offered for this course, depending on your goals and fitness level : beginner , intermediate , and advanced .
The highlights
-
Diverse landscapes and splendid lakes of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park
-
Comfortable base camp at the Schlucht pass
-
Supervision by qualified professionals for your safety and progress
Photos
Sport
Level
Trail running
The expert's opinion
Three levels are available for this stay:
Introduction :
For those with an UTMB index of 350 (as a guideline), you will run twice a week and do some long runs. These will be 4-5 hour runs covering approximately 15-20km per day with 1000m of elevation gain on narrow trails.
Confirmed
Advanced training :
For those with an UTMB index of 400 or higher (as a guideline), you will run 2 to 3 times per week with at least one long run per week. These runs will last 4 to 6 hours, covering approximately 25 km and 1500m of elevation gain per day on rolling trails, alpine meadows, and smaller paths.
Performance :
You have an UTMB index of 500 or higher, you run 3 to 4 times a week with at least one long run per week. You have already completed trail races of at least 30km with 1700m of elevation gain. You will be doing 7-hour runs with approximately 35km and 2000m of elevation gain per day on rolling trails, alpine pastures, scree slopes, snowfields...
In figures
Trail and road running
- Average duration/day: 6h30
- Average distance/day: 18 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 884 m
- Average daily descent: 884 m
Management
French
English
Program
-
Hiking and exploring the lakes of the Vosges
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Welcome at 11am at the 3 Fours mountain refuge, located at the Schlucht pass.
Initiation (16 km — 700 D+):
From 11am to 4pm, you will set off on a day hike-run , accompanied by a mountain picnic , to discover an emblematic lake of the massif.
Advanced level (25 km — 1150 m elevation gain):
From 11am to 5:30pm, you will take a loop outing to discover two unmissable lakes in the Vosges , Lake Retournemer and Lake Lispach , with a picnic in the mountains.
In the late afternoon, you will be welcomed to our hostel for check-in and rest.
Day 1 -
Discovering the peaks and lakes of the Vosges
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 20 km
- Positive elevation gain 950 m
- Negative elevation 950 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Initiation (20 km — 950 D+):
From 9am to 4pm, set off on a hike-run along the ridges offering a panoramic view of the Vosges , before heading towards Lake Forlet and Lake Vert to end the day in style.
Advanced level (26 km — 1250 m elevation gain):
From 9am to 4pm, you will set off on a hiking-running activity including workshops throughout the day, while enjoying the splendid scenery of the mountain lakes in the Vosges massif.
Day 2 -
Little and Great Hohneck and Lake Schiessrothried
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 1000 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Initiation (20 km — 950 D+):
From 8:30 am to 3 pm, you will participate in a day hike-run , accompanied by a picnic in the mountains .
Advanced level (26 km — 1250 m elevation gain):
From 9am to 4pm, you will participate in a hiking-running event including workshops throughout the day, while enjoying the splendid scenery of the mountain lakes in the Vosges massif.
The training course ends at 4pm at the 3 Fours mountain refuge (Schlucht pass).
Day 3
Note
The mileage and elevation gain mentioned are only indicative. The guides may need to modify this program, particularly depending on weather conditions, the physical and technical level of the participants, or any other unforeseen event.
Accommodation
In the heart of the Vosges mountains, between the Schlucht pass and the Hohneck, your accommodation is located on a vast plateau offering exceptional views of the Munster valley and the Alsace plain.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Supervision by a mountain guide, expert in trail running techniques
- Group of 8 people
- Accommodation in mountain centers, in dormitories with 4 to 7 beds
- Full board from day 1 (dinner) to day 3 (lunch)
- Technical workshops that will allow you to progress in trail running
The price does not include
- Day 1 Picnic
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
- Your race snacks, such as cereal bars or dried fruit
- Transportation to the meeting point
Options
- Round-trip transfer to/from Colmar train station : CHF54.89 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Bath towel
- A trail running backpack with a capacity of 5 to 20L
- A water bladder or water bottles on the bag (1.5 L minimum, 2.5 L recommended)
- Spare trail running shoes (especially for trips longer than 3 days)
- Your trail running poles (if you have them)
- A change of clothes
- A pocket knife
- Earplugs or earplugs
- A headlamp
- A sleeping bag sheet
- Cash and your bank card
- A plastic bag for waste
- Your race snacks: bars, dried fruit…
- A survival blanket
Clothing to bring
- A waterproof jacket
- A warm long-sleeved top
- Tights or long trousers in the bag
- Shoes and socks suitable for trail running
- A pair of sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm.
- A hat and thin gloves
- A change of clothes for the duration of the internship
