BELCHEN 3 2025

"the gentle one", at sunrise at an altitude of 1346m. Up to the summit of the German Belchen, a high-visibility vest and lights are mandatory. The average gradient up to the summit is 4.2%. In Rheinfelden you have reached the first passage of the Rhine Valley at 267m. From here it goes with an average of 3,1% through the picturesque Jura up to the Swiss Bölchen, "the Garstigen", which you reach at 990m. For all participants (Belchen² and Belchen³) it continues downhill to the border crossing at the Europabrücke in Weil am Rhein at 245m.The participants of the Belchen³ now have about 150 km more to go and cross the undulating French Rhine plain to reach the summit of the Grand Ballon, "the mightiest", with an average gradient of 2.5%, following the tracks of the Tour de France. From here on, high-visibility vests are again mandatory, as well as lighting. Once at the top, the route first goes downhill and then flat for about 30 km back to the Münstertal.After conquering the Bölchen (CH) it is possible to opt in Weil am Rhein for a shortcut and return directly to Münstertal.Arrival will possibly be in the dark again, but there is no time limit for arrival.