Trail du Champ du Feu

The Trail du Champ du Feu is a 30-kilometer trail race with 1,200 meters of elevation gain in the Champ du Feu massif, in the Bas-Rhin department. This event crosses the forests and peatlands of the highest summit in Bas-Rhin, at 1,099 meters altitude, in a landscape of conifers, moorland, and wetlands of wild and austere beauty.

The Champ du Feu is a singular massif in the northern Vosges. Its summit, an undulating plateau covered with moors and peatlands, evokes the Scottish Highlands more than traditional Alsatian landscapes. The Champ du Feu panoramic tower, accessible to runners near the course, offers a circular viewpoint over the Vosges, the Alsatian plain, and the Black Forest. On clear nights, this site is also renowned for astronomical observation.

The Trail du Champ du Feu course winds through the spruce and fir forests covering the slopes of the massif. The trails, often carpeted with needles and moss, cross dark and mysterious undergrowth where light struggles to penetrate the dense canopy. The peatlands, fragile and protected ecosystems, are skirted by boardwalk trails that allow runners to observe them without causing damage.

The 1,200 meters of elevation gain are concentrated in regular and progressive climbs typical of the rounded relief of the mid-Vosges. The descents, on sometimes wet and slippery forest trails, require caution. The terrain is moderately technical but can become treacherous in rainy weather, as exposed roots and soaked moss transform the trails into natural skating rinks.

The Champ du Feu is a territory rich in natural heritage. The high-altitude peatlands shelter rare plant species, such as the sundew, a carnivorous plant typical of boggy environments, and sphagnum moss, which forms peat layers over millennia. The fauna is also remarkable, with the presence of capercaillie, black woodpecker, and roe deer in the deep forests.

The Trail du Champ du Feu is an accessible event suited to both beginners and experienced runners seeking quality training. Its 30-kilometer distance and 1,200-meter elevation gain make it an ideal format for discovering Vosges trail running. The atmosphere is friendly and family-oriented, carried by local running clubs who know every trail in the massif.

Aid stations feature products from the northern Vosges: blueberry jam, pain d'epices, Munster, and farmhouse apple juice. The finish is celebrated in a warm atmosphere, with an unobstructed view over the forests and hills stretching as far as the eye can see. The Trail du Champ du Feu is a gem of Alsatian trail running, an intimate race in a preserved and enchanting natural setting.