Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten.
The Speedtrail is the long course of the Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten: a loop from the spa park out through the villages of Niederurff, Oberurff, Wenzigerode and Betzigerode and back again. Just over 800 metres of climbing come in a series of ascents that keeps going until late in the race, so the preparation is about repeated changes of gradient rather than one big hill.
Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are in the spa park by the Kurhaus in Bad Zwesten. Like the 11 km course, the Speedtrail first links Niederurff and Oberurff, but then carries on through Wenzigerode and Betzigerode before returning to the park. Every village on the route has a supply station, so on the long loop you pass food and drink at regular intervals.
After a short drop out of the start, the longest climb of the loop begins at km 2. It gains more than 200 metres in just over two kilometres, and the course then falls back almost to start level. From km 12 the second big ascent, with pitches above 15 percent, leads to the highest point of the loop.
The second half is no cool-down. Two short, steep ramps come around km 18 and km 20, and between km 25 and km 27 a longer, steadier climb gains another 100 metres or more. Only after that does the course run mostly downhill back into the spa park.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.2 | 2.3 km | 9.3 % | 13.4 % | +213 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 8 | 1.3 km | 4 % | 5.8 % | +50 m | — |
| km 10.4 | 0.8 km | 3.8 % | 4.5 % | +29 m | — |
| km 12.1 | 2.5 km | 6.8 % | 16.5 % | +165 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 18.2 | 0.9 km | 8.1 % | 12.1 % | +69 m | — |
| km 20.4 | 1 km | 8.5 % | 14.3 % | +85 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 24.8 | 2.3 km | 5 % | 7.4 % | +113 m | Cat. 4 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten.
Start under control
Hardly any of this loop is flat, and about a third of it climbs. So plan by effort rather than by pace per kilometre, an effort you can hold uphill and down alike. Walk the steepest pitches briskly instead of forcing them with short running steps.
Hold your rhythm
The trap sits right at the beginning. The longest climb starts as early as km 2, and on fresh legs with start-line adrenaline it is easy to run it too hard. The bill does not arrive at the top but hours later, on the ramps after halfway.
Spend what is left
The Speedtrail is decided in its last third. If you can still run the climb between km 25 and km 27 at an even rhythm, the long descent to the spa park lets you gain time on everyone who is walking by then.
Training plan for Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners are out on the Speedtrail for roughly three and a half to five hours. The base load is aerobic, but it is broken again and again by climbs that push your heart rate up, and by just as many descents that mainly load the quads.
Train race pace
What decides the race is whether you can still run a long climb after three hours and then get down the descent cleanly. A good start on the first hill is worth little if your legs have nothing left after km 25.
Rehearse the course
The core of the preparation is long runs of two and a half to three hours over hilly ground, with the climbing deliberately placed in the second half. Add hill intervals of a few minutes on steep ramps and regular downhill running on tired legs, so your muscles can take the descents late in the race. Use the long runs to practise eating and drinking at short intervals as well, since the loop passes a supply station in every village.
Arrive fresh
With the race in May, the longest sessions fall in March and April. Put the last really long run two to three weeks before race day.
Courses
Download the Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten.
How long is Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten?
Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten is 34 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten have?
Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten has around 808 m of elevation gain over 34 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten?
Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten is classified as Hilly, averaging 24.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 11% of the route is flat, 32% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 11% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten have?
The hardest climb of Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten starts at kilometre 2.2, runs for 2.3 km at an average of 9.3% and gains 213 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 7 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten a loop course?
Yes, Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten course?
Yes. The Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten?
Preparation for Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten should account for 34 km, 808 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten?
The pacing strategy for Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten should reflect 34 km, 808 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten 2027 take place?
Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten 2027 takes place on May 23, 2027.
Where does Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten 2027 take place?
Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten 2027 takes place in Bad Zwesten, Germany.
Which distances does Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten offer?
Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten offers 3 distances — Speedtrail: 34 km; 11 km Lauf: 11 km; 4 km Lauf: 4 km.
How do I register for Löwenlauf Bad Zwesten?
Registration runs through the organiser: loewenlauf-badzwesten.de. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
