On the last weekend in May, the festival site around the Willingen Bike Park will once again be the meeting point for the mountain bike scene. This year, there are also offers for gravel bikers and even road bike fans, as there are not only test tracks for MTB/EMTB, but also extra routes for gravel and road bikes.
These are the test tracks of the BIKE Festival Willingen
The heart of the festival is the large expo with around 40,000 festival visitors, more than 100 exhibitors and 200 brands as well as food trucks and a varied stage and BIKE Academy programme. Admission is free on all three days; here you can explore bikes, lifestyle products and new trends in a relaxed atmosphere and put numerous test bikes through their paces.
Premiere: German E-Enduro Championship at the BIKE Festival Willingen
In addition to the well-known race classics such as the Bike Marathon (with three top routes), the Scott Enduro race (with six flowing stages) and the action-packed iXS Downhill Cup, a premiere awaits all German mountain bikers with electric support this year: the German E-Enduro Championship will be held for the first time as part of the Bosch eMTB Challenge at the BIKE Festival on Saturday. "The growing popularity of the Bosch eMTB Challenge shows how strong and lively the eMTB community is," says Tamara Winograd, Head of Marketing and Communication at Bosch eBike Systems. "We are delighted to be an active part of this scene and to continue developing it together with our partners. With additional stops in 2026, we are further expanding the series - and the fact that the German Championships will be held in Willingen as part of the Challenge is a strong sign of the sporting relevance of the format." All participants in the Pro category with German citizenship and a valid UCI licence automatically take part.
Gravel Ride - racing feeling but completely relaxed
The Gravel Ride is all about enjoying the region's fine gravel tracks and competing in three stages. Of course, it's also about who finishes with the best time. But the main focus is on having fun and having a good time with your gravel partners.
There is also plenty of action and programme for families and children: the Junior Trophy gives all young mountain bikers between the ages of three and 14 the chance to get their first taste of racing and, above all, have lots of fun on the course. And the VPACE Kids Cup, the gravity downhill race for kids aged four to eleven, is sure to get the hearts of participants and parents racing.
Live music, party, camp site, food trucks and plenty of time for chatting and socialising round off the festival weekend. Registration for all races and side events is now open.
More information about the Expo, the programme and the individual races can be found online at BIKE Festival Willingen 2026.
Stefan Frey
Editor
