Grand Trail des Écrins

It’s tucked into a lovely little jewel box that we’re offering you a grand trail! 😁

Every year in June, the legendary Grand Trail des Écrins takes place in Vallouise, a charming town in the Hautes-Alpes with its traditional wooden-balconied houses. Your race runs in the Écrins Regional Natural Park, at the heart of the massif of the same name. Many runners from all over France come to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region to participate. Drawn by the stunning beauty of the landscapes, you too, like these trail runners, will be able to choose the course that best suits you from the wide range offered.

Two short distances, the Vallouisette of 11 km, also available in a walking format, and the Trail du Fournel of 23 km, are available options. For the longer distances, you can decide between the Trail des Écrins and the Trans’Écrins, of respectively 34 km and 57 km (feasible as a duo). No matter which course you choose, we’re sure you’ll be delighted once you’re off. We hope you won’t crush the elevation too much, because here, we can tell you it climbs, and high 🧗‍♀️! And as you might expect, since the course takes you into the mountains, temperatures can be quite chilly, even as we approach summer.

On the program, a few villages such as Vallouise or Pelvous, but also many cols to conquer. Col de la Pousterle, de la Vallouise, de la Pisse or the Aiguille, all reaching at least 2 000 meters above sea level. Yes it’s high, but not high enough to reach the moon. With a bit of luck, you’ll pass over some neve. But Jamy, what are neve fields? They’re hardened patches of snow that persist despite summer temperatures. You’ll also run through the Narreyroux and Fournel valleys, as well as along the Crêtes des Falaises de Freissinières 🏞 . That’s a lot, isn’t it? But think that you’ll get to admire a multitude of landscapes, each as extraordinary. Okay you’ll climb a lot, but the good news is that there will surely be descents too. Thanks to this trail, and especially your hard work, you’ll see fabulous scenery: forests 🌳, waterfalls, and also a magnificent panorama of the Glaciers of the Écrins Massif. Once the race is over, it’s time to come back down to earth and think about post-race life.

While you’re in the area, head to rest around the Lac de la Roche-De-Rame, and if you have a bit more time, discover the splendid Queyras Regional Nature Park. A little craving? Stop to enjoy the Tourtons de Champsaur as well as the famous Oreilles d’Âne! Not actual donkey ears, it's a spinach and lasagna dish. 😬

Ultimately, this Grand Trail deserves perhaps a grand setting!