Trail des Châtaignes

What do a fortress, chestnuts, and number 365 have in common? Nothing… except the Trail of Chestnuts! 🤗

Relax, we’re not talking about a race where you punch your way forward but a legendary run around the famous Fort de Cormeilles-en-Parisis. One of the region’s greatest military forts welcomes you in November for an emotionally “strong” experience with three different races on the program: 3 different races: the shortest "Le Fort" at a distance of 16 km, "The Chestnuts" that covers 32 km and finally "The 365", the longest distance at 55 km with 2600 meters of positive elevation gain thanks to the 365 steps to climb the approach of Chestnut Hill. 🥵

Still motivated? I hope so, because the start is unlikely to leave you indifferent. You’ll begin in the heart of the Fort de Cormeilles-en-Parisis— a history-rich place and with impressive architectures 🏰. You’ll quickly shift from dream to nightmare as you approach the famous dungeons in the Fort’s main access tunnel before circling the site along forest paths. Once you exit the Fort, you’ll plunge into a tangle of single tracks. Elevation climbs rapidly while the kilometers stretch long and hard. At kilometer 33, you’ll have to ascend the 365 steps of Chestnut Hill before diving back into wild, winding singles. And finally the best for last: upon your return, you’ll enter the Fort’s underground tunnels to immerse yourself in the World War I atmosphere. 😃

You’ll want to bring your headlamp 🔦 because early morning you might not see the chestnuts falling on you (same for the underground passages). Despite all these eerie settings, the course hides wonderful surprises with surrounding nature, an autumnal backdrop where leaves fall and colors unique to this season. You’ll get a view overlooking Paris and a stunning sunrise too. 🌅

If you still want to visit other historic sites, you can head to the Château de Maisons-Laffitte or explore the capital, where there’ll be no shortage of activities. 😉