WHY THIS CHORE
SHOW UP READY.
A compact, fast low-mountain course at the biathlon arena on the Rennsteig — racing, festival and community in one weekend.
WHAT TO EXPECT
VERIFIED EVENT DETAILS · DAILY CHORE EDITORIAL COMMENTARY
Gravel racing between the biathlon arena, the Rennsteig and the Thuringian Forest
From September 11–13, 2026, Oberhof becomes the meeting point for the German gravel scene. At Rennsteig Gravel, fast forest roads, technical sections and low-mountain climbs meet a three-day festival program of gravel biathlon, racing and shared social rides.
Start and finish of the main race are at the well-known LOTTO Thüringen ARENA am Rennsteig. Four distances between 48.2 and 120.5 kilometers make the event appealing both for gravel newcomers and performance-oriented age-group and pro athletes.
Event at a glance
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Rennsteig Gravel 2026 |
| Date | September 11–13, 2026 |
| Main race | Saturday, September 12, 2026 |
| Location | Oberhof, Thuringia |
| Venue | LOTTO Thüringen ARENA am Rennsteig |
| Address | Tambacher Straße / Am Grenzadler, 98559 Oberhof |
| Distances | 48.2 · 72.3 · 96.4 · 120.5 km |
| Elevation | approx. 660 · 990 · 1,320 · 1,650 m |
| Categories | OPEN · AGEGROUP · PRO |
| Entry fee | €25–55 |
| Terrain | Gravel, forest roads, short technical sections |
| Organizer | Gute Laune Sport e.V. |
| Series | German Gravel League |
| Registration | until September 7, 2026, then on-site subject to availability |
The arena sits at roughly 814m elevation, right on the main ridge of the Thuringian Forest.
The festival program
Friday, September 11 — Gravel Biathlon
The weekend opens with a format that blends Oberhof's winter-sport identity with gravel racing. Further schedule details to be published by the organizer.
Saturday, September 12 — German Gravel League season finale
Saturday is all about the scored OPEN, AGEGROUP and PRO races, on a 24.1km loop through the Thuringian Forest.
Sunday, September 13 — Gravel Social Rides
To close things out, race pace gives way to riding together — for anyone who wants to experience the Rennsteig area without result pressure.
Course and elevation
One lap measures 24.1km and roughly 330m elevation gain. Right after the start, the course climbs the Birxsteig out of the stadium area, then alternates between wide gravel roads, fast forest tracks, climbs and shorter technical sections.
Depending on race category, the lap is ridden two to five times:
| Category | Laps | Distance | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPEN | 2 | 48.2 km | 660 m |
| AGEGROUP short | 3 | 72.3 km | 990 m |
| AGEGROUP/PRO Women | 4 | 96.4 km | 1,320 m |
| PRO Men | 5 | 120.5 km | 1,650 m |
Total-distance elevation figures are calculated from the official 330m/lap and may shift slightly with final course changes.
Categories and race classes
OPEN — 48.2 km
The most accessible version of Rennsteig Gravel. Two laps, aimed at gravel newcomers, unlicensed hobby riders, and ambitious participants who prefer a shorter distance. Scored separately for men and women, no age groups.
AGEGROUP — 72.3 or 96.4 km
For ambitious riders who want to measure themselves against their age group.
Riding 96.4km: Men up to 39, Masters 2, Masters 3, Women up to 39.
Riding 72.3km: Masters 4, Women 40+.
PRO — 96.4 or 120.5 km
For performance-oriented athletes and the fastest riders of the weekend.
- PRO Men: five laps, ~120.5km
- PRO Women: four laps, ~96.4km
No separate age-group scoring in the PRO races.
Joint women's start
All women start together regardless of race class or distance. The German Gravel League does this to build a bigger women's field, increase visibility, and create a safe space for female participants — PRO, AGEGROUP and OPEN women start the race together, even though they ride different distances and are scored separately.
Saturday schedule
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| from 08:00 | bib pickup |
| from 09:45 | start line assembly |
| 10:00 | PRO Men start |
| 10:05 | AGEGROUP Men start |
| 10:10 | joint women's start |
| ~12:00 | OPEN ambitious and hobby start |
| from 15:00 | awards and come-together |
Bibs must be picked up at least 30 minutes before your race start.
Entry fees
OPEN
| Phase | Period | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Early bird | until Feb 28 | €25 |
| Regular | until Aug 15 | €30 |
| Late | until Sep 4 | €35 |
| Late registration | from Sep 5 | €45 |
PRO and AGEGROUP
| Phase | Period | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Early bird | until Feb 28 | €35 |
| Regular | until Aug 15 | €40 |
| Late | until Sep 4 | €45 |
| Late registration | from Sep 5 | €55 |
Regular online registration ends September 7, 2026. On-site late registration possible while the participant cap isn't reached.
What's included
Per the organizer, entry includes: a Komoot collection with the event routes, professional timing, awards ceremony, professional event photography, bike wash station, and the festival/community program. The local organizer also announces a bike expo with test center, catering and after-race program.
Who is Rennsteig Gravel for?
Perfect for
- Gravel riders looking for a genuine low-mountain race
- Newcomers wanting their first scored gravel event
- Ambitious age-group athletes
- Performance-oriented PRO riders
- Groups wanting a full gravel weekend
- Riders who enjoy fast forest roads and short technical sections
Less suited for
- Riders who only want flat, technically simple routes
- Pure road cyclists without suitable tires or off-road experience
- Riders who don't want to ride repeated laps
- Newcomers unprepared for ~660m of climbing even on the short distance
Why this weekend is worth it
The Rennsteig is one of Germany's best-known ridge trails and gives the race a clear regional character. Instead of a classic point-to-point course on public roads, the main race is built on a compact loop around Oberhof.
That makes it spectator-friendly and builds real race atmosphere — riders pass the arena multiple times as the race develops lap by lap. Meanwhile, the Thuringian Forest offers exactly the mix that defines modern gravel racing: fast gravel sections, changing terrain, short technical passages, and enough elevation to test your legs.
With a 48.2km OPEN distance, the entry point stays approachable. The longer AGEGROUP and PRO races demand endurance, race experience and good pacing — by the fourth or fifth lap, it's not just speed that decides the outcome, but the ability to manage your effort and stay focused on shifting terrain.
The festival program extends the race into a full gravel weekend — gravel biathlon Friday, racing Saturday, social rides Sunday, blending performance with community. The announced 2027 German Gravel Championship at this venue should raise its profile further.
Daily Chore Take
A compact, fast and demanding low-mountain course, wrapped in a festival that convincingly blends gravel racing with community. Best for: a full gravel weekend with a genuine race option for beginners, age-groupers and PRO riders alike.
WHO IT'S FOR
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SIGNING UP FOR.
- DIFFICULTY
- Intermediate
- FIRST-TIMERS
- Suitable for a first attempt at this format.
- BEGINNER FIT
- 3/5
DAILY CHORE TAKE
OUR TAKE, OUT OF 10.
THESE ARE OUR OWN EDITORIAL ASSESSMENTS, NOT OFFICIAL RATINGS.
