With our running calendar for ultra marches you will always be up to date in 2025! Find the best ultra marches in Germany and Europe and add them directly to your watch list.
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Among extreme sports, ultra marches (also known as extreme hikes) have emerged as a new trend, even making waves in the running community. For years, hiking was considered slow-paced or something for the older generation, but more and more runners are now discovering the appeal of ultra marches.
For a long time, obstacle races, marathons, trail runs, and ultramarathons were considered the ultimate physical and mental challenges for endurance athletes. Extreme hiking was rarely on anyone’s radar, especially as it lacked the event-style atmosphere typical of running competitions.
That has changed significantly in recent years. Today, entire ultra march series (such as Mammutmarsch and Megamarsch) are organized professionally, just like running events, making them more accessible to a broader audience.
When compared to marathons or ultramarathons, ultra marches share many similarities. They all involve extreme distances and require immense mental resilience.
However, one key difference sets ultra marches apart: the movement pattern. Unlike running, walking long distances challenges the body in a completely different way, even for experienced endurance athletes. Many long-distance runners attempting their first ultra march are surprised at how different the strain feels.
Whether it’s the feet, joints, or muscles – at a certain point in an ultra march, every inch of the body starts aching in a way that is hard to describe. Another major difference is the time factor. Unlike races, ultra marches are usually untimed, with the goal being to complete the distance rather than to finish first.
For example, a 100-km march typically allows participants up to 24 hours to finish.
The allure of ultra marches lies in the unknown. Runners who no longer find marathons challenging seek new limits – and extreme hiking provides just that.
Very few endurance runners have ever participated in an extreme hike, yet these events rival major running competitions in terms of organization and excitement. Most ultra marches take participants through breathtaking landscapes, are held in both summer and winter, and often feature significant elevation gain.
Another unique factor is the duration. A 100-km ultra march typically lasts up to 24 hours, making it significantly longer than a marathon and adding a new level of endurance challenge.
Additionally, ultra marches foster a strong sense of community. Unlike competitive races, the focus is not on speed or rankings but on reaching the finish line together. Participants encourage and support one another, making the experience as much about camaraderie as about endurance.
Ultra marches come in various formats. Whether 50 km or 100 km, single-day or multi-day events, flat routes or mountainous terrain – there is an ultra march for everyone.
Several ultra march series have now been established, attracting thousands of participants each year.
Megamarsch was one of the first professional organizers to bring extreme hiking to the masses in Germany. Initially, the series only featured 100-km marches, but it has since expanded to include 50-km events. Megamarsch events take place in major cities like Hamburg, Munich, and Cologne.
The Mammutmarsch played a significant role in popularizing extreme hiking. The first event had just 17 participants; today, more than 2,000 take part per race. Unlike Megamarsch, Mammutmarsch offers three different distances: 30 km, 55 km, and 100 km (to be completed within 24 hours).
The Adventure Walk is a relatively new ultra march series in Germany, launched in 2019. Compared to Megamarsch and Mammutmarsch, it features two major differences:
Have you participated in one of the ultra marches listed in our calendar? If so, please leave a comment on the event page to help others choose the right ultra march for their next challenge!
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