XTERRA Off-Road Triathlons: June ‘26

Namur brings the race close to the city without losing the feeling of being in nature. The Citadel sits above the Meuse, with stone walls, forest trails, cobbled sections, and open views all within reach of the same venue. Everyone can move through the day together.

The swim takes place in the Meuse before the course turns back toward the Citadel. From there, the bike moves between climbs, wooded trails, cobbles, and open areas near transition, where the crowd is close enough to become part of the experience. The run stays around the fortress with shaded trails, stairs, narrow passages, and quick changes underfoot.

What stands out in Belgium is how much of the event happens in one shared environment. The Citadel makes it easy to watch, cheer, meet people, and stay connected from start to finish. The energy builds through the day, then carries into the evening with the after-party concert that has become part of the event’s identity.

Away from the course, the Citadel itself is worth a closer look. The Terra Nova Visitor Center, tunnel tours, and views over the Meuse and Sambre give visitors a better sense of Namur and the history around the venue. XTERRA Belgium is made possible because the course, and the community bring the energy that keeps people coming back. 

Lac de Vassivière sits in the Limousin highlands, surrounded by forest, wetlands, small villages, and open water. The event starts and finishes in Beaumont-du-Lac, with the shoreline close by and the trails moving through the wider Millevaches Regional Nature Park. Locals often call the area “Little Canada,” which makes sense once you see the mix of pine woods, granite, lake views, and long stretches of protected land. 

The bike course uses the forest around the lake, with fast descents, rocky climbs, singletrack through the pines, and sections across granite ridges. The run stays mostly under tree cover, with winding paths, short climbs, changing footing, and supporters gathering near the shore and along the trails.

Families and friends can stay close to the lake, walk between viewing points, spend time near the village, or use the weekend as a few days in nature rather than only a start and finish line. 

That slower lakeside lifestyle is part of the appeal. Away from the course, the Île de Vassivière is worth visiting, with the Centre International d’Art et du Paysage, outdoor sculptures, exhibitions, and walking paths that connect art, forest, and lake views. The wider area is also known for hiking, biking, swimming, boating, and quiet time around the water, giving XTERRA Nouvelle Aquitaine a full weekend feel in one of France’s more natural outdoor regions.

Molveno is already part of XTERRA history. After four years as the World Championship host, Lake Molveno now becomes the home of the 2026 XTERRA European Championship, keeping the same mountain village feel, the same lakefront race village, and the same Brenta Dolomites above it all. 

The swim takes place in Lake Molveno, with two 750-meter laps and an Australian exit between them. The water is clear, and framed by the mountains, which makes the start feel calm until the pace lifts. From there, the bike begins along the lake before climbing into the Dolomiti Paganella trails, with gravel, rocky sections, roots, open descents, and the kind of terrain that asks riders to stay sharp without breaking the flow. 

The run brings athletes back toward the lake and surrounding mountain trails, using two 5K laps with steep sections, singletrack, and the beach area near the finish. It is one of the reasons Molveno works so well for supporters. People can stay close to the village, move between the lakefront and race village, and still feel connected to different parts of the day.

Away from the course, Molveno is one of the easiest places in the XTERRA calendar to turn a race weekend into a few days outside. Lake Molveno has been recognized by Legambiente and the Italian Touring Club for its water, beaches, services, and focus on sustainable tourism, while the Dolomiti Paganella area is known for hundreds of kilometers of bike routes between the lake and the Brenta Dolomites. The lake, trails, lifts, village cafes, and mountain views give athletes and families plenty to do before and after the event.

Banská Štiavnica brings XTERRA into one of Slovakia’s most historic outdoor regions. The town is known for its mining past, old streets, forested hills, and a network of lakes that sit around the wider Štiavnica Mountains. Many of those lakes are connected by road and mountain bike trails, giving the event a natural link between water, town, and forest.

The swim takes place in Banský Studenec, a long-time triathlon venue in the region, before the course moves back toward Banská Štiavnica. The bike brings athletes into hilly forest terrain with long climbs, faster sections, and technical stretches that keep the course moving. The run continues through the hills, with downhills, panoramic views, and constant changes in pace.

The finish line in the town center gives the weekend a different feeling. Athletes come back into the history and life of Banská Štiavnica, with local supporters, families, and volunteers close to the action. Cross-triathlon has been part of this area for years, and XTERRA Slovakia builds on that local base with a wider international field.

Away from the course, Banská Štiavnica has plenty to make the trip feel complete. The Open-Air Mining Museum is one of the best ways to understand the town’s history, while Kalvária, Paradajs, and Sitno near Počúvadlo Lake offer some of the strongest views in the area. In town, Betlehem gives visitors a small woodcarving museum to explore, and Alžbetka mining pizzeria is an easy local stop after a memorable time on the trails.