Trail du Lac de Paladru

"Burnt earth in the wind from the heathlands..." 🎼

We’re not here to brag about the merits of the Connemara Lochs, but to celebrate the sublime Paladru Lake, often compared to the Caribbean lagoons for its paradise blue! 😍 A surface area of 392 hectares, the lake will demand a good cardio to loop it 😈. But don’t worry, there are plenty of routes so everyone can join in! So, heading to the Isère, in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 🏔️, heart of the Pays Voironnais, for the Trail du Lac de Paladru. Ideal to kick off the trail season in the April ☀️, this race is an unmissable event to fuel your future athletic goals 👀.

What a wonderful chance to take part in a trail around a lake and discover the stunning landscapes of the area! For orientation, you’ll be roughly 45 km from Grenobleand at 500 m in altitude 👆, in the charming village of Montagnier, north of the Blue Lake (as locals call it 😉), near the Massif de la Chartreuse 🍾. Don’t forget the old adage: "in April, don’t shed a single thread"! While running warms you up, the chilly temperatures might be lurking 👀. We’ve described the setting and the temperature, but the most important part is missing: the courses. In total, several distances are offered, including one for the kids 👧 and two for walkers:

Let’s start gently with "The Discovery" 🏔️ of 16 km and its 390 mD+. All things small are cute! You can also opt for the "Semi-Nocturnal" 🌙 of 17 km and 740 mD+. We'll climb crescendo with "The Lake High Points" of 32 km and 1 000 mD+. If you’re even more motivated, we offer the "Grand Tour of the Lake" of 55 km. with its 2 028 mD+, its route is... tough ! 😅 We’ve kept the most demanding for the end: "The Ultra Trail of the Pays Voironnais" of 84 km with 3 200 mD+. Yes, tough, we know! But you’ve got this 😎.

You’ll also be able to complete two stage races, which each start with the Semi-Nocturnal of 17 km on Saturday 🌕. They continue the next day with the 16 km race or the 32 km 🤩.

That said, you’ll need to be tough and well conditioned 💪. Plus soft, you can also join one of the two walkers’ routes : "Le Lambert" of 10 km and "Tour around the Lake" of 20 km.

In the Prealps, surrounded by rolling landscapes, you’ll have plenty to enjoy! It’s a human-scale event, with a balanced mix of runners between each race 🏃‍♂️ and perfect for owning the trails 👌. They start and finish all at the Camping Détente et Clapotis, by the Lake 📍. So watch out for twisting your ankle right at the start on the sand! As you continue, your strides will be on the roadand dirt paths and gravel, surrounded by forests 🌳 and fields 🌾. Get ready to feast your eyes! You’ll pass by the Chapelle des 3 Croix, where you’ll have a superb view of the Mont Blanc 🤩. You’ll also go by the Pierre de Libre Soleil ☀️, one of the area’s high points. To keep the viewpoints coming: La Croix des Cochettes will cross your path (depending on your chosen route 😉). You’ll see the lake like never before. To end, you’ll run through the lands of the Château de la Famille Clermont-Tonnerre 🏰, enriched by the remains of the Tour de Clermontbuilt in the 11th century. Isn’t that knightly? 🤺

By the way, speaking of "knightly", did you know this lake has a rather interesting history? 🤔 The Paladru Lake is the fifth natural glacier-origin lake in France! 🧊 It’s also known for its archeological site where vestiges

Once your Trail of Paladru Lake is finished, a crazy atmosphere awaits you at the camping 🏕️. A small village will be set up for the occasion, with showers at your disposal. On the menu: Poke Bowl on Saturday evening 🥗, bands and numerous activities 😋. You’ll find the events are very diverse and suitable for the whole family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦. You can even stay at the camping where a wonderful heated pool awaits! And if you haven’t had enough, before you go, you can take a stroll to the Lac Paladru Museum

Faster you should sign up for this dream-selling race! 🤩