If you like to get going early in the month and really push yourself, Brilon (NRW) is the place to be on 5 September: 200 km and around 2,000 metres of elevation gain through the mountainous Sauerland region, all in a single day. It’s not a race.
From 11 to 13 September, the Ewald Colliery in Herten (Ruhr region) will once again be transformed into a major gravel festival. It is organised by Delius Klasing, with Rose and Maxxis as the title sponsor and main sponsor respectively. As well as the expo and guided tours, the programme features several side events, including the Rose Scary Schotter Race, Van Rysel Legends of the Halde and the Gravel Ground Rockets, plus a camping area right on the site.
The well-established Black Forest Bike Marathon in Furtwangen (12 and 13 September) has also featured its own gravel category, the Scherzinger Gravel Cup, since 2025: 50 to 60 km and 700 to 900 metres of elevation gain via Brend and Katharinenhöhe. A portion of the entry fee goes to the Katharinenhöhe rehabilitation clinic.
On 19 September, there will be a choice of three route lengths in Pfronten – 90, 106 and 125 km, with elevation gains ranging from 1,000 to 2,600 metres in the Allgäu.
On 3 October, the route in Kalkar will be considerably flatter: 110 and 160 km with a relatively moderate elevation profile (250/350 metres of climbing) – an alternative for anyone who, after the low-mountain events of the summer, fancies a return to flat terrain.
On 4 October, there will be a choice of four routes in Bühlertal in the northern Black Forest, ranging from 50 km/800 metres of elevation gain to 133 km/2,900 metres of elevation gain, with four refreshment stations along the way, according to the organisers. For every starting place allocated, the Forestry Commission will plant a tree. The registration deadline is 28 September, and the participant limit is 725 starting places.
From 16 to 18 October, things will get serious once again in the Fichtelgebirge: in Bischofsgrün, the programme features 30, 60 and 90 km races, with race pack collection and a course inspection taking place the day before. The minimum age is 16, and the registration deadline is 14 October. A guided community ride away from the race route is also scheduled for Friday – a relaxed way to kick off the actual race weekend.

Editor