ALLEMAGNE · Rhineland-Palatinate / North Rhine (Rheinsteig)
KoBoLT 135km: Germany's Night Ultra That Sells Out in 32 Hours
Distance
135 km
Date
Droit d’inscription
55 EUR
€ / km
€0.41
Germany’s gritty sleeper: long night miles, forest tracks, and an understated ultra culture vibe.
The KoBoLT (K140) is a 135.3-kilometre trail race held in late November in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, running point-to-point from Koblenz to Bonn along the Rheinsteig long-distance hiking trail. The course gains 4,440m of elevation — 32.8 metres per kilometre — across forested ridges above the Rhine gorge. Entry costs approximately €0.41 per kilometre, making it among the best-value UTMB 5-point qualifiers in Germany — if you can get in. An 11:00 Saturday start guarantees virtually all runners spend most of the race in darkness. Late November conditions on the Rheinsteig are cold, wet, and frequently muddy — race reports describe ankle-deep mud in wet years and navigation becoming genuinely difficult after dark as trail markers are partially faded and non-reflective. Cologne Bonn airport (CGN) is 74 minutes away; excellent rail connections make point-to-point logistics easy — runners finish in Bonn and take a one-hour train back to Koblenz. Founded in 2010, the KoBoLT is in its 16th edition in 2026. The K140 sold out within 32 hours of opening. It suits experienced solo runners who want a real night ultra without going to the Alps.
Élévation et Terrain
Mètres totaux
4,440m
D+/KM
32.8m/km
Pour référence, le Tor des Géants 330 km a 73 D+/km.
KoBoLT 135km: Germany's Night Ultra That Sells Out in 32 Hours
How hard is the KoBoLT 135km? (Course profile, conditions, and elevation data)▼
Q: How hard is the KoBoLT 135km? A: The KoBoLT 135.3km is a demanding night ultra, though its difficulty comes more from conditions than gradient. The course gains 4,440m over 135.3km (32.8m per km) — solid but not extreme. What makes it hard: an 11:00 Saturday start means virtually all runners spend the majority of the race in darkness. Late November conditions on the Rheinsteig deliver cold temperatures, frequent rain, and ankle-deep mud in wet years. Navigation becomes genuinely challenging after dark as trail markers are partially faded and non-reflective.
How much does the KoBoLT cost to enter? (Entry fee and value breakdown)▼
Q: Is the KoBoLT a UTMB qualifier? A: Yes. The KoBoLT 135.3km (K140) is a UTMB 5-point qualifier. Registration is extremely limited — the K140 sold out within 32 hours of opening for the 2026 edition. Check kleiner-kobolt.de for registration dates; the race sells out quickly each year.
Is the KoBoLT a UTMB qualifier?▼
Q: How much does the KoBoLT cost to enter? A: Entry fees for the 2026 edition are not confirmed — the K140 sold out before the full fee structure was published. The 2025 placeholder fee was approximately €55 (€0.41/km), making it one of the best-value UTMB 5-point qualifiers in Germany if accurate. Verify current fees at kleiner-kobolt.de.
How to get to the KoBoLT from Cologne or Frankfurt airport▼
Q: How do you get to the KoBoLT from the nearest airport? A: Cologne Bonn airport (CGN) is approximately 74 minutes from Koblenz. Frankfurt (FRA) and Düsseldorf (DUS) are also accessible in approximately 90–120 minutes. Excellent rail connections from all three airports to Koblenz make car rental optional. The race is point-to-point (Koblenz start, Bonn finish), but public transport logistics are straightforward — train from Bonn back to Koblenz takes approximately one hour.
Fichiers de course
Logistique
Aéroport le plus proche
Cologne Bonn (CGN) / Frankfurt (FRA) / Düsseldorf (DUS)
Notes
Start: ~1–2 hrs to Koblenz by train or car / Public transport: excellent rail to Koblenz and onward to Bonn finish; easy point-to-point / Accommodation: strong in Koblenz and Bonn; book early (late November)
