Pfalztrail.
The Pfalztrail is the long loop out of Carlsberg: 36 kilometres through the forests, valleys and gorges of the Leiningerland and back to the sports ground. Its steepest ramp comes early, but the real test waits beyond kilometre 26, where two climbs in a row meet tired legs. That is what to prepare for.
Pfalztrail 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are at the sports ground on Bergstraße, and the loop opens downhill: you lose around 90 metres by kilometre 5, half of it in the first kilometre. A ramp of nearly a kilometre at eight percent interrupts the fall, then the course sinks further to its lowest point at kilometre 10. From there comes the hardest stretch of the day: 1.3 kilometres averaging just over ten percent with spikes around 14 percent, leading on to the highest point of the course at kilometre 13.
The second half climbs differently. From kilometre 18 a steady, runnable rise lasts just over two kilometres, and after a rolling section the course drops some 85 metres within a single kilometre around kilometre 23. Between kilometres 26 and 28 two climbs in close succession gather almost 100 metres, the second with spikes of eleven percent. The route then falls once more to below 280 metres before two last climbs lead back to Carlsberg; the second sits in the final kilometre and ends at the sports ground.
Around 40 percent of the paths are singletrack. The course moves between light woodland and dark valleys, squeezes through narrow gorges and passes viewpoints and a castle ruin. Pines, beeches and mixed forest set the scene, with vineyards appearing in between.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 5.1 | 0.9 km | 8 % | 12 % | +74 m | — |
| km 10.8 | 1.3 km | 10.1 % | 14.1 % | +131 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 17.8 | 2.3 km | 4 % | 6.7 % | +90 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 24.3 | 0.7 km | 6.4 % | 9.4 % | +45 m | — |
| km 26.5 | 1 km | 4.3 % | 7.3 % | +43 m | — |
| km 27.8 | 0.6 km | 7.4 % | 11.3 % | +46 m | — |
| km 32.3 | 1.4 km | 3.4 % | 5.2 % | +46 m | — |
| km 35.9 | 0.8 km | 5.7 % | 8.5 % | +45 m | — |
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 Pfalztrail.
Start under control
The gift of those first five downhill kilometres is no chance to bank time, because two climbs totalling over 200 metres stand between you and kilometre 13. On the ramp from kilometre 11 most runners move better by power-walking the steepest parts. At 14 percent, running costs far more than it returns.
Hold your rhythm
The Pfalztrail is decided between kilometres 26 and 28. Neither climb is long on its own, but they follow each other directly and arrive three quarters of the way in. If you can push on again at the top, you gain more over the last eight kilometres than any early lead was worth.
Spend what is left
The biggest trap is the descent at kilometre 23: steep enough to tempt you into taking time back, and placed exactly where your quads are still needed for the finish. Run it under control. Singletrack works the same way, since a pass made at your limit gets repaid on the next climb. Wait for a wider spot instead.
Training plan for Pfalztrail: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners should expect roughly 3:45 to 5:00 hours. That makes it a long aerobic effort, but no steady tempo run: about a third of the course climbs gently, another third descends gently, a tenth is steep and only a fifth is flat. Short spikes on the ramps keep alternating with longer stretches at an easy rhythm.
Train race pace
Because the late climbs decide the race, put the vertical into the second half of your long sessions. Plan runs of two and a half to three hours over hilly ground, with the hardest climbs two thirds of the way through. Add hill sessions of eight to twelve minutes on steep slopes, power-walking included, to prepare for the ramp from kilometre 11.
Rehearse the course
The descents need work of their own. Twice the course loses nearly 100 metres in a short space, the second time after 28 kilometres already sit in your legs. Repeated downhill running towards the end of long sessions makes your quads ready for that. Run narrow paths as often as you can as well, because short steps and attention are the first things fatigue takes away.
Arrive fresh
A race date in late April puts the build-up in the winter months, so schedule the longest runs for March and early April. The course offers water, energy drink, nuts, fruit and carbohydrates. Use your long runs to find out which of these you tolerate over this duration, solid food on the move above all.
Courses
Download the Pfalztrail course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Pfalztrail dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Pfalztrail.
How long is Pfalztrail?
Pfalztrail is 36 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 Pfalztrail have?
Pfalztrail has around 678 m of elevation gain over 36 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Pfalztrail?
Pfalztrail is classified as Hilly, averaging 18.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 21% of the route is flat, 33% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 6% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Pfalztrail have?
The hardest climb of Pfalztrail starts at kilometre 10.8, runs for 1.3 km at an average of 10.1% and gains 131 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Pfalztrail a loop course?
Yes, Pfalztrail is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Pfalztrail course?
Yes. The Pfalztrail 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 Pfalztrail?
Preparation for Pfalztrail should account for 36 km, 678 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 Pfalztrail?
The pacing strategy for Pfalztrail should reflect 36 km, 678 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 Pfalztrail take place?
Pfalztrail takes place on April 25, 2027.
Where does Pfalztrail take place?
Pfalztrail takes place in Carlsberg, Germany.
Which distances does Pfalztrail offer?
Pfalztrail offers 3 distances — Pfalztrail: 36 km; Basetrail: 21 km (Half marathon); Funtrail: 10.5 km.
How do I register for Pfalztrail?
Registration runs through the organiser: pfalztrail.de. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
