There are events that find a place in a calendar. And then there are those that end up becoming a habit.

The year 2027 will be very special for the Trails du Grand Ballon, which will be celebrating their 10th anniversary.

It was indeed in 2017 that this wonderful adventure began, allowing thousands of runners ever since to experience, each in their own way, the Vosges mountains.

For this anniversary edition, the event will once again take place at Le Markstein, with five distances spread over two days: 25 km, 35 km, 45 km, 60 km and 80 km.

A way to celebrate these ten years with what has been in the event's DNA from the start: elevation, landscapes, varied distances, and the Grand Ballon as a common thread.

Five distances, five experiences

La Printanière 2027 will offer five routes with distinct profiles.

On Saturday, the 80 km, 60 km and 35 km formats will kick off the weekend. On Sunday, it will be time for the 45 km and 25 km.

The idea is not simply to offer several distances. Each format should offer a different perspective on the mountain range.

The longer distances will deliver a complete experience, made up of endurance, continuous efforts, and pace management. 

The intermediate formats will retain a true trail running identity, with elevation gain and variety. 

The 25 km will stay higher up, with less than 800 m of elevation gain, heading towards the Grand Ballon before returning via Le Treh and Le Markstein.

Everyone will be able to choose their challenge according to their level, their desire, and how they want to experience this challenge.

Le Markstein, starting point 

Hotel Wolf, at Le Markstein, will remain the nerve center of La Printanière.

Situated in the heights of the Vosges mountains, the site offers direct access to terrain particularly suited to trail running: ridges, forest paths, open sections and unobstructed views of the surrounding hills.

When conditions allow, you can even see as far as the Alps.

This is also what gives the place a strong identity: a few kilometers are enough to completely change the atmosphere, moving from a wooded area to a more open section, before heading back up to the heights.

For runners and supporters alike, Le Markstein serves as a true gathering point to experience the weekend.

An anniversary edition, but not one focused on the past

Ten years is an opportunity to look at what has been built. But above all, to keep evolving the event.

This 2027 edition will be designed as a balance between the historic identity of the Trails du Grand Ballon and an organization that continues to progress.

The routes, the welcome, the runner experience and the weekend program will continue to evolve, with several specific elements for this anniversary edition to be unveiled gradually.

All the information on the new website

The routes, initial practical information, the schedule, and details for each distance are now gathered on our new website.

Each participant can now start comparing the formats and choosing the challenge that suits them.

Registrations open on November 1st.

Until then, one question remains to be decided: 25, 35, 45, 60 or 80 km?

To each their own distance. For everyone, the same anniversary edition...