Whether you are a passionate enthusiast or just a beginner in the world of trailyou are certainly looking to discover fantastic and demanding events. Here is a brief overview of the best trail racing in France, offering trail lovers varied and fantastic playgrounds. Explore the finest trails in France and, with our selection, you will find the most beautiful routes and breathtaking panoramas, pushing your limits in a memorable sporting experience.
Located at the tip of Finistère, the trail du bout du monde takes you through superb coastal landscapes of cliffs, lighthouses, coastal paths and beaches. This Breton trail offers routes of 20, 37 and 57 km in a friendly atmosphere. It offers something different, and its maritime character is largely responsible for its popular success and the enthusiasm it generates. Moreover, the beauty of this part of Brittany is no legend: it is a delight with every stride! All information on this trail here.
The beauty of the Pyrenees is undoubtedly an ideal setting for a well-regarded trail. Demanding on a sporting level while offering a wide choice of routes, it allows you to discover magnificent places such as the Néouvielle massif with its many high-altitude lakes and the Pic du Midi. Without a doubt one of the finest trail races in France.
3 routes are generally on offer:
Finally, the Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) is certainly the best-known trail race in the world. It is also because it is probably the most difficult: 168 kilometres and 9,600 metres of positive elevation gain — enough to seriously punish your legs! In any case, set against a majestic and strikingly beautiful backdrop, this trail crosses three countries: France, Switzerland and Italy. It is certainly the dream of every trail enthusiast to take part at least once. Selection is truly rigorous and demanding, and the organisers use a ballot to manage the overwhelming number of applicants. The lucky few have the privilege of suffering through this demanding course, but they are also treated to an extraordinary panorama over the Mont Blanc massif. All information on this trail here.
So there you have it — 6 truly outstanding trails in France! They all offer a genuine sporting challenge while treating you to varied and majestic scenery. There are many more trail races in France, and plenty deserve the same superlatives, but everyone has their own subjective pick of the finest trails in France!
Our selection of the best trails in France
The Grand Trail des Templiers
The Grand Trail des Templiers is one of the most authentic trail races around, showcasing the raw beauty of the Grands Causses landscapes. The sporting challenge is extremely demanding, with a course of 76 km and over 3,000 metres of positive elevation gain. Different from other trail races in the great mountain ranges, this one offers an exceptional setting of plateaux and gorges and well-preserved nature. All information on this trail here.The trail du bout du monde
Located at the tip of Finistère, the trail du bout du monde takes you through superb coastal landscapes of cliffs, lighthouses, coastal paths and beaches. This Breton trail offers routes of 20, 37 and 57 km in a friendly atmosphere. It offers something different, and its maritime character is largely responsible for its popular success and the enthusiasm it generates. Moreover, the beauty of this part of Brittany is no legend: it is a delight with every stride! All information on this trail here.
The Grand Raid des Pyrénées
The beauty of the Pyrenees is undoubtedly an ideal setting for a well-regarded trail. Demanding on a sporting level while offering a wide choice of routes, it allows you to discover magnificent places such as the Néouvielle massif with its many high-altitude lakes and the Pic du Midi. Without a doubt one of the finest trail races in France.
3 routes are generally on offer:
- The Tour des Lacs: 80 km and 5,000 m of elevation gain
- The Tour des Cirques: 120 km and 7,000 m of elevation gain
- The Ultra: 160 km and 10,000 m of elevation gain
The Trail du Ventoux
The Giant of Provence is rich in magnificent landscapes and offers a setting often bathed in sunshine that can be intensely fierce. It is therefore in a demanding environment that the Trail du Ventoux is organised. This celebrated and hugely popular trail attracts enormous numbers of participants, and registration lists are often snapped up and closed quickly. This trail offers three route options: 46 kilometres (2,850 m of positive elevation gain), 26 kilometres (1,450 m of positive elevation gain) or 15 kilometres (450 m of positive elevation gain). The harshness of Mont Ventoux, which peaks at 1,912 metres, and its desert-like scenery make it undeniably one of the finest trail races in France. All information on this trail here.The 6000D or the Course des Géants de la Plagne
Starting from Aime la Plagne, this trail takes runners up to the summit of the Glacier de Belle Côte, passing through most of the high-altitude resorts of this massif. With a total distance of 65 kilometres and 3,000 metres of positive elevation gain, the trail is waymarked to guide runners, but also offers 6 other varied routes that are accessible. Over the years, the 6000D has become increasingly popular among trail enthusiasts, and the increasingly international participation is testament to this well-deserved enthusiasm. All information on this trail here.The Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc
Finally, the Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) is certainly the best-known trail race in the world. It is also because it is probably the most difficult: 168 kilometres and 9,600 metres of positive elevation gain — enough to seriously punish your legs! In any case, set against a majestic and strikingly beautiful backdrop, this trail crosses three countries: France, Switzerland and Italy. It is certainly the dream of every trail enthusiast to take part at least once. Selection is truly rigorous and demanding, and the organisers use a ballot to manage the overwhelming number of applicants. The lucky few have the privilege of suffering through this demanding course, but they are also treated to an extraordinary panorama over the Mont Blanc massif. All information on this trail here.
So there you have it — 6 truly outstanding trails in France! They all offer a genuine sporting challenge while treating you to varied and majestic scenery. There are many more trail races in France, and plenty deserve the same superlatives, but everyone has their own subjective pick of the finest trails in France!
