Weinheim Trails.
Der kleine Fuchs Trail is the first-trail option at the Weinheim Trails, but no gentle taster: after a few hundred metres the course climbs for almost two kilometres in one go, then hands all that height back on the way down. Preparing for it comes down to two things, one long climb and one long descent.
Weinheim Trails 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are in the Mühlengarten at the Hotel-Restaurant Fuchs'sche Mühle on Birkenauer Talstraße, and the loop itself is quickly told. A little over 200 metres settle you in, then the only climb of the day begins and collects practically all the ascent by km 2.2. Its second half is the harder one: it eases briefly around km 1.2, then steepens markedly, touching almost 16 percent at its worst.
From the high point at around 290 metres the course does little but descend. You lose the height again over a good two kilometres, with two steeper steps around km 3.5 and km 4.2. The last 500 metres then run almost level back to the mill.
The Weinheim Trails use paths and forest sections around Weinheim and the Weschnitztal, and the short loop is the most compact way into that terrain. There is no refreshment station out here, since the first one on the longer courses only comes at about km 8. At this length that hardly matters: you make one trip from the valley up and back down and are already at the mill again.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.2 | 1.9 km | 8 % | 15.7 % | +155 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 Weinheim Trails.
Start under control
This race has two parts, and the first one pays for the second. Up to km 2.2 you run by breathing, not by pace. On the steep ground after km 1.4, walking with long, strong strides is often faster and cheaper than a forced run, especially in a first trail race.
Hold your rhythm
The trap sits right at the beginning. The opening 200 metres are flat, and if you take them like a city race you hit your limit while still on the lower part of the climb. Almost two kilometres of ascent then remain, and no mistake can be repaired on them.
Spend what is left
The time is made afterwards. Around half the course runs downhill, and with something left at the top you can let this stretch flow on short, quick steps. Arrive empty and you brake every metre, giving away on the two steep steps whatever you thought you had saved on the climb. Spend what remains on the flat run back to the mill.
Training plan for Weinheim Trails: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect 30 to 50 minutes, depending on your experience off-road. Despite the short distance this is no even five-kilometre effort: it opens with one continuous hard climb of a good quarter of an hour, after which the work shifts from heart and lungs to the thighs, which have to catch every step downhill.
Train race pace
What decides your race is whether you can hold that climb evenly. The key session is therefore repeats of five to eight minutes on a hill of eight to ten percent, extended over the weeks until you can stay uphill for a quarter of an hour at a stretch. Build in walking sections on purpose, because switching between running and brisk hiking takes practice.
Rehearse the course
Downhill running matters just as much, and many road runners have never trained it. Once a week, jog down a longer hill easily, on short steps with your eyes a few metres ahead. Your legs then already know the load when a good two kilometres of it follow in one piece after the high point.
Arrive fresh
Move some of your runs from tarmac onto forest and field paths, so that your ankles and footing get used to the ground. About two weeks before 25 July a dress rehearsal is worthwhile: warm up, go up one long climb and straight back down. Afterwards you will know how much restraint the first metres on race day call for.
Courses
Download the Weinheim Trails course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Weinheim Trails dynamically
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Everything about Weinheim Trails.
How long is Weinheim Trails?
Weinheim Trails is 5 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 Weinheim Trails have?
Weinheim Trails has around 156 m of elevation gain over 5 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Weinheim Trails?
Weinheim Trails is classified as Mountainous, averaging 30.7 vertical metres per kilometre. 10% of the route is flat, 22% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 17% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Weinheim Trails have?
The hardest climb of Weinheim Trails starts at kilometre 0.2, runs for 1.9 km at an average of 8% and gains 155 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4.
Is Weinheim Trails a loop course?
Yes, Weinheim Trails is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Weinheim Trails course?
Yes. The Weinheim Trails 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 Weinheim Trails?
Preparation for Weinheim Trails should account for 5 km, 156 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 Weinheim Trails?
The pacing strategy for Weinheim Trails should reflect 5 km, 156 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 Weinheim Trails take place?
Weinheim Trails takes place on July 25, 2027.
Where does Weinheim Trails take place?
Weinheim Trails takes place in Weinheim, Germany.
Which distances does Weinheim Trails offer?
Weinheim Trails offers 3 distances — Der kleine Fuchs Trail: 5 km; Mittlere Strecke: 15 km; Lange Strecke: 35 km.
How do I register for Weinheim Trails?
Registration runs through the organiser: weinheimtrails.de. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
