What are the most beautiful trails in France?

The legendary ultra-trail races in France

The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc

The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc needs no introduction. It is the iconic race to do once in a lifetime. It usually takes place at the end of August or beginning of September. It operates by lottery and you must have completed UTMB qualifying races beforehand. It is increasingly difficult to qualify, but there are different formats more accessible than the UTMB.

Diagonale des Fous

Diagonale des Fous, also called the Grand Raid de la Réunion, is a very technical ultra-trail that leaves no one indifferent with 170km and 10,000m of positive elevation gain. The popular enthusiasm encountered during this race leaves an unforgettable memory for each participant and especially the desire to return. It is a unique experience to do at least once in a lifetime, although the trip to Réunion Island is not cheap. The trails are technical compared to the UTMB.

 

The classics

Festival des Templiers

The Festival des Templiers is one of the historic trail races in France. It is this race that truly gave momentum to trail running, even though it was organized shortly after the 6000D.

Its mission is to make trail running accessible to as many people as possible with different race formats. There are a total of 10,500 runners across all races with 1,000 volunteers. It is located around Millau.

The ultra formats are on October 20th, 106km & 4580m positive elevation gain.

L'Echappée Belle

L'Echappée Belle is a highly reputed race in the trail world with a full crossing of the Belledonne massif, a wild mountain range that passes through the GR738.

Scheduled for the weekend of August 25, 26 & 27, 2023

🔴 149km/11300mD+

🟢 88km/6500mD+

Grand Raid des Pyrénées

Because there are not only the Alps, this is the reference race in the Hautes-Pyrénées, demanding. You must have completed a race beforehand before tackling the 160km. It is a good challenge for any trail runner seeking strong sensations. I definitely plan to do it within 2 years.

This year, it will take place from August 24-27.

The long format is 163.7km & 9943 m positive elevation gain

The mountaineers

Le Grand Trail Serre-Ponçon

Magnificent landscapes passing by the most beautiful peaks surrounding the Serre Ponçon lake. A sum of money is donated for the maintenance of the trails, that’s also the spirit of trail running.

This year, it will take place on September 15, 164km & 10,600m positive elevation gain limited to 400 participants

Another format exists with 74km and 5200m positive elevation gain limited to 330 participants

Ultrariège

This is the race I will take part in, but on the 100km course with 6500m positive elevation gain. It was the most affordable ultra-trail and also, I wanted to try a race in the Pyrenees. The long format is 165km & 10,500m positive elevation gain

This year the race will take place from July 21 to 23.

Volvic Experience

The Volvic Experience offers 7 trail routes in Auvergne with 3 ultra formats.

The longest format is 224km & 8400 positive elevation gain for only 120 participants. It is far from the 170km of the UTMB.

It is also possible to do a 110km & 3500m positive elevation gain race for 650 participants.

The last format offers the possibility for those who want to try the ultra-trail adventure with a more accessible distance, similar to the Sainté-Lyon with 80km & 2700 positive elevation gain for 650 participants.

 

This year the edition took place from May 17-19.

Ultra Tour du Beaufortain

This ultra trail is particularly worth it. It is located between the Mont Blanc and Vanoise massifs.

This year, it will take place on July 22, with 114km & 7200m positive elevation gain

Ultra Trail des Montagnes du Jura

This ultra crosses 3 departments, 2 regions, 2 countries in the heart of the Jura Massif with exceptional landscapes.

This year the race will take place on September 29 with 175km for 7000m positive elevation gain.

It is also possible to do the race in relay. Other ultra formats exist with 105km & 400m positive elevation gain and 75km & 2600m positive elevation gain.

Which multi-stage ultra trail to choose?

UT4M

Because in the world of ultra-trail, there are not only the 160km races, there are multi-stage races that are just as demanding.

This ultra circles 4 massifs in the Alps, the Belledonne massif, Vercors, Chartreuse and Taillefer.

There is something for everyone. But for those who want to live a different adventure, this stage trail will bring participants closer who will live for a weekend an extraordinary adventure, with one massif per day and a bivouac every night. It is a unique experience of its kind, and it is also one of the trails at the top of my list.

This year, it will take place from July 21-23.

The long format is 174.6km & 11,510m positive elevation gain and for the Challenge 1 massif per day.

Le défi de la Muzelle

It is a trail in 4 stages through the 2 Alps with a passage through the Ecrins National Park, 4 restorative nights to start again the next day.

This year the race will take place from July 31-August 4, 100km & 7500m positive elevation gain

Another 51km race in 4 stages is possible.

Ultra Trail Causses et Vallées Lot Dordogne

Because there is not only trail running in life, this race offers the possibility to combine trail and mountain biking for the most adventurous and courageous :)

This year the ultra trail took place on May 13 & 14, 2023, 185km 4110m positive elevation gain

Other format 92km and 1810m positive elevation gain

Bonus: combine trail with mountain biking (185km of mountain biking and 92km of trail).

Ultra Lozère Trail

It is a trail of 110km in 2 parts with bivouac (Georges du Tarn), in the heart of a territory recognized as UNESCO World Heritage.

This year the race will take place on May 27-28, with 110km & 5600m positive elevation gain.

Ultra trail South of France - the Côte d'Azur & Corsica

Ultra Trail Côte d’Azur Mercantour

It is the reference trail on the Côte d'Azur. Clearly breathtaking landscapes, one of the ultras at the very top of my to-do list.

This year the race will take place from July 7 to 9 with 125km and 7800m positive elevation gain

Otherwise, there is the 75km format.

Trail de Haute Provence

This trail is located in the heart of Provence, between Lure and Lubéron with a 360° view to see Mont Ventoux. Its strength lies in the diversity of terrains halfway between the Alps and the Mediterranean.

This year the race took place from May 19-21 with 167km & 7700m positive elevation gain

There is another format of 81km & 3530m positive elevation gain

Restonica Trail Corsica by UTMB: across the GR20

The legendary GR 20 hiking trail needs no introduction. I think that is reason enough to be tempted by the adventure of this ultra trail in Corsica organized by the UTMB.

This year the race will take place on July 6 with 106km & 6271m positive elevation gain

The atypical

Grand Raid des Cathares

This ultra is somewhat unique in its kind. You will pass in front of places full of history.

Landscapes from the south of Carcassonne through the arid plateaus of the Corbières, the wild forests of the Corbières, the mountains of the Aude Pyrenees...

A closing meal with medieval show, a start and finish from Carcassonne, medieval city.

The race will take place from October 26 to 28 with 161km & 7200m positive elevation gain

Tarn Valley Trail

Between Cévennes and Grands Causses, the Tarn Valley Ultra Trail route consists of three major geographical and geological parts, from the sources of the Tarn to Millau.

Here are some reasons that will convince you to try it next year:

• An organization respectful of biodiversity

• A promotion of the new GR 736

• A Trail’Origin organization like Western States and Hardrock 100

• An event rooted in the territory

• The expertise of TEMPLIERS Events

Only one format 158.2km & 6280m positive elevation gain

It took place on May 6 this year with 400 participants.

Trail du Saint Jacques by UTMB

You know the pilgrimage of Saint James of Compostela, it’s like hiking but running :)

I think UTMB likes to transform hiking trails into trail running paths.

This year the race will take place on June 2 with 126km & 5250m positive elevation gain

Ultras in Brittany

Grand Raid du Finistère

The first edition called edition 0 by the organizer took place in 2020 with 31 participants, in 2022, the edition 0 bis expected 75 runners and for the 2023 edition more than 500 runners are expected. The particularity of this ultra is that it is done without markings. The route includes the tour of the Crozon peninsula passing notably by the GR 34 and GR 37. This absence of markings makes the experience unique, different from most trails and its Breton neighbor, the ultra-marin.

Only one format exists with 166km & 3700m positive elevation gain

It will take place on September 15-16 this year.

Grand Raid Ultra Marin

Very fast, little elevation gain compared to an ultra in the mountains, can it still be considered an ultra-trail? One thing is certain, the landscape is breathtaking.

Only one format exists with 175km & 1430m positive elevation gain

The race will take place on June 30 this year.

 

I am sure you will find your choice if you are looking for freedom, self-transcendence among these different ultras that are among the most beautiful trails in France.

Which ultra in France should I add to this list?