Just outside the Black Forest, Kirchzarten is one of international mountain biking’s historical capitals due to the Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon, which will take place on Sunday, 26 July 2026. An iconic off-road cycling event, the German race marries sport tradition, territory, and passion. It boasts 118 km and 3,550 hm developing around Mount Feldberg, and is a high-level technical and physical challenge. Every year, around 3,000 cyclists and fans flock to the event to experience something which goes beyond a mere race: they celebrate mountain biking in the heart of one of Europe’s most fascinating landscapes.
Kirchzarten is located just outside the Black Forest and, for decades, has been one of the main centres of German mountain biking. A by-word for off-road cycling, this welcoming centre in the Upper Dreisam Valley marries a deeply rooted sport tradition and a territory which seems to have been made for mountain biking, characterised by green valleys, forest paths, and demanding climbs.
This is the birthplace of the Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon, the second-to-last race of the 2026 HERO UCI Cross-country Marathon World Cup.
Scheduled for 26 July 2026, it’s undoubtably one of the most iconic mountain bike races in the international calendar, marrying top-notch professional sport and massive turnouts against the backdrop of Alpine hospitality. The race track cyclists will compete on to qualify for the UCI World Cup boasts 118 km and 3,550 hm. A veritable challenge testing a cyclist’s stamina and cycling skills.
The race develops around Mount Feldberg boasting 1,492 m altitude, making it the highest point of Germany’s mid-altitude mountain range. An evocative yet stern environment which is the ideal stage for a mountain bike marathon which has never lost sight of its origins.
Every year, 3,000 cyclists gather here for an event which is much more than a race: a collective experience, a celebration, and event attracting cyclists from all over the world.
The 2026 Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon’s Marathon World Cup stars are among their numbers – David Valero Serrano, from Spain, will wear the red leader jersey and have to face Wout Alleman and Leo Paez who are respectively 125 and 194 points behind him.
The leader of the overall women’s ranking is Anna Weinbeer from Switzerland – her 900 points stand her in good stead against Natalia Fischer, 695 points, and Claudia Peretti who, after her victory in the Dolomites, is 280 points behind Weinbeer.
A jam-packed agenda will deliver an incredibly exciting mountain biking weekend for all – athletes, teams, and fans will be spoilt for choice. In the run-up to the race, cyclists will pick up their race numbers and fans can meet the event’s main characters during the HERO Race Talk, on Saturday, 25 July at 16:00 at the Black Forest Lounge - Sports Stadium Kirchzarten.
The expo area will be one of the weekend’s highlights. This meeting spot for fans, cyclists, and companies will showcase the latest in the industry and allow them to dive headfirst into the buzz of the event. The area will be open according to the following schedule: Friday, 24 July, between 16:00 and 20;00; Saturday, 25 July, between 10:00 and 19:00; on race day, between 10:00 and 17:00.
Sunday – race day – will be the highlight of the event. Cyclists will compete on one of the most fascinating and selective marathon tracks on the international stage. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 for the Elite men, followed ten minutes later by the Elite Women, Master and amateurs. The track will challenge the cyclists’ stamina, strategy, and technical skills with its steep climbs, technical stretch, and unique, natural background, confirming the Black Forest ULTRA Bike Marathon’s reputation as one of the circuit’s most demanding races.
As always, the finish line will represent the weekend’s most thrilling moment, with the first cyclists arriving in the Sport Stadium Kirchzarten at 12.00 and the award ceremony taking place at 13:00 to celebrate the victory of the Elite category, followed by the Master award ceremony at 15:30
For more information on the race and the circuit, visit www.heroucimarathonworldcup.com/black-forest-ultra-bike-marathon
