MOUNTAINMAN Nesselwang 2027: Allgäu Trails from 10 to 70 km

On 8 May 2027, five trails with 800 to 3,900 metres of climbing start in Nesselwang, open to hikers and, on the short routes, to dogs. Here's which route suits you, what goes in the pack and what entries cost.

Daniel Gruber · 4 October 2026 · 8 min read

MOUNTAINMAN Nesselwang 2027: Allgäu Trails from 10 to 70 km

On Saturday, 8 May 2027, five trails between 10 and 70 kilometres start in Nesselwang in the eastern Allgäu, with a short kids' loop on the Friday before (source: mountainman.de, Nesselwang). Start and finish are at the Trendsportzentrum, registration is open, and the lowest remaining price tier runs until New Year's Eve. What sets MOUNTAINMAN apart: it isn't only for trail specialists. Fit hikers may take the three shorter routes, and dogs are welcome on the two shortest.

The weekend at a glance

Item Details
Date Friday, 7 May 2027 (Kids-Trail, expo, pre-race briefing) and Saturday, 8 May 2027 (all trails)
Start and finish Trendsportzentrum, Trendsportweg, 87484 Nesselwang
Routes XXL 70 km · XL 42 km · L 33 km · M 22 km · S 10 km
Field limit max. 1,500, of which max. 150 with a dog
Minimum age 18 (Kids-Trail for ages approx. 3 to 12)
Finish closes S and M 6 pm · L, XL and XXL 8 pm
Last edition 9 May 2026

Sources: mountainman.de (Nesselwang, route details, 2026 results). As of 3 October 2026.

Five routes, five kinds of climbing

In the mountains, distance alone tells you little. What matters is how much climbing sits on each kilometre. The organiser gives a minimum elevation gain for every route (source: mountainman.de, Nesselwang). Divide it by distance and you get a surprising picture:

Route Distance Elevation gain (min.) Gain per km (calculated) Start Who may enter
S-Trail 10 km 800 m approx. 80 m 10:00 (with dog 10:30) trail runners, hikers, dogs
M-Trail by Altra 22 km 1,300 m approx. 59 m 9:00 (with dog 9:30) trail runners, hikers, dogs
L-Trail 33 km 2,000 m approx. 61 m 8:30 trail runners, hikers
XL-Trail 42 km 2,750 m approx. 65 m 8:00 trail runners only
XXL-Trail (ultra) 70 km 3,900 m approx. 56 m 6:00 trail runners only

So the shortest route is the steepest. If you come from road running and plan the S-Trail as an easy 10K, you'll underestimate it: 800 metres of climbing over 10 kilometres means a lot of power hiking. The S-Trail climbs the Wasserfallweg (waterfall path) and root-covered trails to the Kappeler Alp, where the only aid station sits at km 5, then returns through forest past the Maria Trost pilgrimage church (source: mountainman.de, route details).

The M-Trail also climbs the Wasserfallweg to Sportheim Böck, passes Edelsberg and Pfeifferberg and returns via the Kappeler Höhenweg, with aid at Sportheim Böck, Alpe Stubental and Skiklub Nesselwang (source: mountainman.de, route details). The L-Trail adds a loop over the Pfeifferberg and the Untere Reuter Wanne. XL and XXL are meant only for experienced, fit trail runners; the 70K also swings out over the Breitenberg near Pfronten and the Vils valley (source: mountainman.de, route details). M, L, XL and XXL are listed as UTMB/ITRA-indexed races.

Read the cut-offs as a pacing plan

Miss an intermediate cut-off and you're diverted onto a shorter route and drop out of the ranking (source: mountainman.de, Nesselwang):

For city runners: the limits are generous as long as you hike the climbs calmly and save your legs for the descents. On the XXL, don't dawdle early on.

Hike, run or bring the dog

Hikers may walk S, M and L. They get a time but no ranking (source: mountainman.de, Nesselwang). That works well for a running group: whoever has trail experience races the L-Trail, whoever prefers the views hikes the same route, and you meet again at the finish.

On S and M you can start with your dog, half an hour after the main field. Bring a collapsible bowl and poo bags; water canisters wait at the huts (source: mountainman.de, Nesselwang). Dogs are not allowed on L, XL and XXL – and yes, dogs get a finisher medal too.

What goes in the pack

Mandatory kit applies to every route and is checked; winners without it are not ranked (source: mountainman.de, Nesselwang). It includes offline GPX data, a small first-aid kit with emergency blanket, a rain jacket rated at least 10,000 mm, a phone, grippy shoes, ID and health insurance card. M to XXL add a whistle; fluid is 0.5 litres (S and M) or 1 litre (L to XXL).

Easy to forget: there are no cups at the alpine huts. Bring your own cup or soft flask. Poles are allowed but must be carried from start to finish. Aid stations at huts and alpine pastures serve soup, bread, cake and local specialities, vegan options included.

Prices: the tiers until May

Entry fees rise by date (source: mountainman.de, Nesselwang):

Route until 31.12.2026 until 31.03.2027 until 06.05.2027 Late entry
XXL (70 km) €125 €135 €150 €170
XL (42 km) €100 €105 €120 €140
L (33 km) €90 €95 €110 €130
M (22 km) €75 €85 €90 €110
S (10 km) €50 €55 €65 €85
Kids-Trail €5 €5 €5 €5

A dog adds €10. The fee covers timing, GPX tracks, aid stations, a finisher medal, bag storage and showers at the Trendsportzentrum. Register via the MOUNTAINMAN Nesselwang page.

Collecting climbing where there are no mountains

From 3 October to 8 May is just over 31 weeks. For flatlanders, the biggest gap isn't endurance – it's getting used to steep climbs and long descents:

All of this is easier with a group that heads out regularly. Find Lauftreffs (group runs) and run clubs in the region at Running in the Allgäu. Already in town? The organiser runs a free shake-out run on Friday at 5 pm (source: mountainman.de, Nesselwang).

Getting there and watching

According to the organiser, Nesselwang station can be reached with one change in Kempten from Cologne, Dortmund, Hanover, Koblenz, Munich and Würzburg, among others. Parking is at the Trendsportzentrum, in the nearby business park (about 5 minutes' walk) and at the Alpspitzbahn car park (about 15 minutes). There's no campsite in Nesselwang itself; the nearest is at Lake Grüntensee in Wertach, about 10 km away and right on the L, XL and XXL routes (source: mountainman.de, Nesselwang).

Supporters should take the gondola up the Alpspitze: all routes pass Sportheim Böck, and on clear days you can see Neuschwanstein Castle (source: mountainman.de, Nesselwang).

More mountains in the Allgäu

More events in the region, from hill climbs to marathons, are in our overview of running events in the Allgäu. Coming back in summer? Have a look at the Allgäu Panorama Marathon, or switch to the water at the Allgäu Triathlon. For teams from your running group, the Grüntenstafette is worth a look too.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is MOUNTAINMAN Nesselwang 2027?
The trails start on Saturday, 8 May 2027 between 6:00 and 10:30 at the Trendsportzentrum in Nesselwang. Friday, 7 May has the Kids-Trail, expo and pre-race briefing (source: mountainman.de).
Which route suits beginners?
The 10 km S-Trail is aimed at beginners too, but it has at least 800 metres of climbing, so expect plenty of hiking uphill. XL and XXL are for experienced trail runners only (source: mountainman.de).
Can I hike instead of run?
Yes. Hikers may take S, M and L and are timed but not ranked. Only trail runners may start XL and XXL (source: mountainman.de).
Can I bring my dog?
On the S and M trails, yes – with a separate start half an hour after the main field and a €10 surcharge. Max. 150 dog entries; a bowl and poo bags are mandatory (source: mountainman.de).
How much does entry cost?
Until 31 December 2026: S €50, M €75, L €90, XL €100, XXL €125. Prices then rise in three steps up to late entry (source: mountainman.de).
How do I get to Nesselwang without a car?
Nesselwang has a train station, reachable with one change in Kempten from Cologne, Munich and Hanover among others, according to the organiser. Many hosts offer station pick-ups (source: mountainman.de).

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