Name: 13th Himmelswegelauf 2026
Start: 2026-06-13T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-06-13T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Sonnenobservatorium Goseck (Start) und Arche Nebra (Ziel)

Himmelswegelauf

About Himmelswegelauf

The Himmelswegelauf combines running, hiking, and cycling with the prehistoric archaeology of southern Saxony-Anhalt. In 2026, the 13th edition falls on June 13th. The start is at the 7,000-year-old Goseck sun observatory, the finish is the Arche Nebra in Wangen – a DLV-certified marathon along the Saale, Unstrut, and vineyards.

Dates 13 Jun — 13 Jun 2026

Venue Nebra (Unstrut) (15084)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Himmelswegelauf — edition 2026

Tickets →

The 13th edition of the Himmelswegelauf takes place on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Six disciplines – Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 km Sky Disk Run, Hiking, Guided Hike to the Discovery Site, and Bike Tour. Start at the Goseck sun observatory, finish at the Arche Nebra in Wangen. Patron: Minister-President Sven Schulze.

The 2026 program follows the proven concept of the Himmelswegelauf and, for the 13th anniversary, offers six disciplines across the Saale-Unstrut region. The marathon is the most demanding distance – 42.2 kilometers from Goseck to Wangen, passing Freyburg, Balgstädt, Laucha, Karsdorf, and Reinsdorf. The Half Marathon and the Sky Disk Run offer entry-level distances, while the hiking tour and the bike tour allow non-running companions to experience a festive day between archaeology and the Saale-Unstrut landscape.

Travel to the start from Naumburg Hbf by shuttle bus (7:10 AM, 8:00 AM, and 9:00 AM). Registration is possible online via himmelswegelauf.de. Hosted by: Holger Tapper (Radio SAW).

Highlights Himmelswegelauf 2026

DLV-certified marathon, start at Goseck sun observatory, finish Arche Nebra, six disciplines, archaeological route.

Programme Himmelswegelauf 2026

Saturday, June 13, 2026

From 7:10 AM — Shuttle buses from Naumburg Hbf to Goseck (7:10 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM)
Morning — Marathon start at the Goseck sun observatory (42.2 km to Wangen-Nebra, route Freyburg → Balgstädt → Laucha → Karsdorf → Reinsdorf)
Morning — Half Marathon start in Laucha (21.1 km along the Unstrut to Nebra)
Morning — 10 km Sky Disk Run as a circular route around the Mittelberg (discovery site of the Sky Disk)
Morning — Hiking Tour and Guided Hike to the Discovery Site
Morning — Bike Tour along the marathon route
Midday/Afternoon — Finisher reception at the Arche Nebra, award ceremonies, catering

Detailed program, start times for individual disciplines, and registration at himmelswegelauf.de.

Prices Himmelswegelauf 2026

Entry fees depend on the distance and registration date. Online registration via himmelswegelauf.de.

Practical information

Practical information — Himmelswegelauf

Getting There

By train to Naumburg (Saale) Hbf, from there shuttle buses to the start in Goseck (departures 7:10 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM). By car via the A9 (exit Naumburg/Bad Kösen) and the B180.

Registration

Online via himmelswegelauf.de. Registration deadline usually early June 2026. Entry fees vary by distance.

Timing

Marathon DLV-certified. Chip timing, finisher.com / hdsports provide the online results list.

Refreshments

Refreshment stations along the route (water, isotonic drinks, fruit, bars). Finisher refreshments at the Arche Nebra.

Families

The hiking distance and 10 km run are suitable for families with teenagers. The guided hike to the discovery site is good for children and history enthusiasts.

Marathon between Astronomy and Prehistory

The Himmelswegelauf is one of the most unusual running events in Central Germany: instead of running through a city center, the route leads across southern Saxony-Anhalt – from one of the world's oldest sun observatories to the discovery site of the famous Nebra Sky Disk. The organizer is Himmelswegelauf e.V., the run is DLV-certified and in 2026 will be under the patronage of the Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, Sven Schulze.

In the Burgenlandkreis, Viticulture, and Prehistory

The route runs entirely within the Burgenlandkreis in the southernmost part of Saxony-Anhalt – one of Germany's oldest cultural landscapes, characterized by the cathedral city of Naumburg, the Saale-Unstrut wine-growing region, the 7,000-year-old Goseck sun observatory, the Pömmelte stone circle, and of course the Mittelberg near Nebra. Here, the approximately 3,600-year-old Sky Disk was found in 1999 – the oldest concrete depiction of the cosmos in human history, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Six Disciplines — from Marathon to Hike

The run offers six disciplines suitable for very different target groups. The Marathon starts at the Goseck sun observatory and leads via Freyburg, Balgstädt, Laucha, Karsdorf, and Reinsdorf to the Arche Nebra. The Half Marathon runs between Laucha and Nebra along the Unstrut river. The 10 km Sky Disk Run is a circular route around the Mittelberg – the discovery site of the disk. In addition, there are hiking options, a guided hike to the discovery site, and a bike tour on the same route. The event is hosted by Holger Tapper (Radio SAW).

Travel and Logistics

For the non-outward journeys, the organizer provides shuttle buses from Naumburg main station at 7:10 AM, 8:00 AM, and 9:00 AM to the start in Goseck. Buses run back from the finish in Wangen. Along the route, there are several archaeological sights that are worth a short visit if you take your time.

A Run That Is More Than Just a Run

Since its first edition in 2014, the Himmelswegelauf has become a fixture in the German running calendar. Anyone who has started on a June morning at the Goseck sun observatory and finishes after 42.2 kilometers at the Arche Nebra, passing vineyards, Unstrut floodplains, and prehistoric sites, understands the appeal: It's sports plus archaeology plus landscape – and thus one of the most beautiful marathon routes in Germany.