Trail des 3 Villages

Ain, two, three...Let’s go! 💨

We’re taking you for a tour in the Ain, specifically to Villieu-Loyes-Mollon, for a dose of fun and sport in the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region📍. Whether you’re a trail veteran or a road enthusiast, this October rendezvous is the perfect cure for gloom ☁️. The meetup point? The Villieu football stadium, on Chemin de la Masse 🌳.

For this edition, the trail steps up a notch as it is officially classified in 1st category out of 5 as part of the Ain Challenge. If you’re looking to score points for the French Athletics Federation, you’re in the right place! 🥇 The adventure comes in several formats so no one gets left out ❌. We start with the Trail of the 3 Villages 13 km and its 160 mD+ 📈. Don’t be fooled by its modest elevation; the course is a real cocktail of sensations 🤪. With 70% of paths and 30% paved, you’ll alternate between nerve-boosting road stretches and technical forest sections 🪵. Picture yourself in the middle of a forest, with moments of narrow passages and steep descents that require masterful focus 🌲. For those craving more, the 21 km option lets you extend the fun through the surrounding countryside 👁️. Eye-candy isn’t neglected either, with a route that passes by the magnificent Loyes Castle 🏰. Fun fact: it was designed by André Le Nôtre, the gardener of Versailles, who laid out the formal gardens there. Pretty cool, right? 😎 There will also be kids races organized by the organizer—great for getting the whole family active 👶. And here, we don’t joke around with conviviality! 🫂 A warm and unpretentious refreshments area awaits at the event center so you can relive the race with your friends 🍻. It’s the perfect spot to share race stories, like the moment you almost slipped on a descent or the look on your face when you spotted a surprise incline 😮. And if you needed one more reason to secure your spot tonight, know that you’re running for a good cause! Indeed, all profits go to local schools to fund educational projects 📚, class trips and children’s activities. Your effort isn’t in vain—bravo champion 👏. If you’re famished after your feats, the on-site food service will help you recharge with local produce 😋. We bet the scent of the midway will be your best motivation to cross the finish line! 🍕

And after the race, what’s next? The Ain region is full of gems to discover 🔎. You’re just steps away from the medieval city of Pérouges, one of the most beautiful in France 🛡️. It’s time to swap your trail shoes for a relaxed stroll through its cobbled streets 🚶. Take the chance to taste Pérouges’ famous galette, the lightest of desserts made with... butter and sugar 🙃. For nature lovers, the banks of the Ain offer perfect spots to unwind before getting back on the road 🌊. That’s the spirit of the Trail des 3 villages: an intense athletic challenge and a total disconnect in the countryside! 🌾

So, ready to finish with a 3 beats? 🥵