Montane Adventure Race – ARWS European Championship 2026

The Montane Adventure Race takes place in the Copenhagen area, giving participants unforgettable moments in wild forests, along the coastline, across countryside trails, and on Denmark’s waterways.

This is more than a race — it’s an expedition through spectacular landscapes filled with unique challenges and hidden features.

Teams will navigate their way through a mix of disciplines: trailrunning, mountain biking, climbing, coastering, stand up padlling, caving, biathlon, canoeing and even diving. The Montane Adventure Race is famous for its tough navigation and creative twists — past editions have included a labyrinth, navy seal stage, visiting an old airport with fighter jets and even a map hidden inside a candy flush!
And each edition always has a huge climbing section including tree climbing and rapeling from high places.

The course is designed by Lars Bukkehave, who has 18 years of experience organising this race, countless hours of competition himself 120 races in 30 contries, and serves as an ARWS referee. His routes are legendary for being challenging, surprising, and rewarding for all levels of racers.

Traditionally a winter event, the 2026 edition will be a summer race as it hosts the ARWS European Championship. With longer days and warmer nights, racers will push themselves on a 36-hour winning-time course (open for 48 hours), with even more time to explore the best of Denmark’s nature by foot, bike, and on the water.

The race provides airport pickup from Copenhagen, plus simple accommodation and meals before and after the event, so international teams can focus fully on the challenge.

As a Regional Championship, the winning Premier Mixed Team of 4 will qualify directly for the 2027 Adventure Racing World Championship.

For newcomers and younger athletes, there’s also an 8-hour Challenge and U21 course (maximum 15.5 hours) — the perfect way to experience adventure racing at your own level.

Do you dare to take on Europe’s best and test yourself at the Montane Adventure Race 2026?

Included in European Championship:
- 1 bed room pr team on race location before and after race (3 nights)
- 4 meals (2x breakfast, 2x dinner)
- Finish line buffet
- 4x ARWS Race bibs to keep
- Race Merch
- 20+ maps on waterproof paper
- Roadbook on waterproof Paper
- Water crafts (Canoe, Kayak, SUP)
- Race logistics
- Race photos & video
- Sponsor goodie bag

Included Challenge & U21:
- Finish line buffet
- Race Merch
- 10+ maps on waterproof paper
- Roadbook on waterproof Paper
- Water crafts (Canoe)
- Race logistics
- Race photos & video
- Sponsor goodie bag

DARU License:

Personal license: All who participate in Master or Challenge distances in a DARU tournament race have a personal license.

The license is valid for a year at a time, and for all DARU tournament races, i.e. once you get a license, it stays valid for the entire season.
The license is automatically added to the fee of your first race registration of the season.

DARU License:

Rules: