5 Trailrunning micro-adventures

Trail running is a sport—but it’s also (and perhaps above all) a way to set off on an adventure… You can train hard, improve, push your limits. But you can also slow down, forget about the clock for a while, or even hit pause on your watch to reconnect with what’s around you. Stop by the waves, watch a sunrise on the horizon, pass through the marks of time left by ancient fortresses, or take in a sweeping view over a lake from above…

These micro-adventure ideas are an invitation to enjoy a few days of escape—running, exploring, and discovering.

1- Run to the rhythm of the tides2- To connect with nature and history in Besançon3- Linking the Monts de Flandre, carried by the northern winds…4- Feast on elevation gain for breakfast in the Savoy Prealps5- Treat yourself to a getaway along the lakes of Isère
1- Run to the rhythm of the tides

Tour de l'île de Ré

Claude Nougaro once sang, “On the Île de Ré, my beautiful beloved, I’ll take you there soon…” This gem of France’s Atlantic islands is yours to discover by running all the way around it. Setting off around 6 a.m., at low tide, gives you a chance to take on the full loop in a single day. Along the way, ports and villages offer plenty of spots—small grocery stores and cafés—where you can refuel. Or you can stretch out the experience, taking your time and completing the circuit over two, three, or even four days to run to the rhythm of the tidesRun to the rhythm of the tides.

93 km100 mDe 1 à 4 jours 

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2- To connect with nature and history in Besançon
Four days ahead of you? Drop your bags in Besançon and let the city become your base camp for a trail-running adventure in a star-shaped format, blending nature, heritage, and rolling terrain. Nestled in a meander of the Doubs River and surrounded by wooded hills, Besançon is a place where you can shift in just a few minutes from historic streets to scenic ridge trails. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its Vauban-designed fortifications, the city offers an ideal playground for runners who appreciate both history and sweeping views. From the city center, four iconic routes await, each leading to a different fort—remnants of a city that once held a strategic key role. Four days, four forts, and plenty more if you feel like extending the adventure…

3- Linking the Monts de Flandre, carried by the northern winds…

La diagonale de Flandre

Conquer all the hills with this ultra route that circles the Espace In Flanders Trails. Following in the footsteps of the Nord Trail Monts de Flandres, you will discover a route that offers little respite, where you will tackle climbs and descents to discover the unique features of the Monts de Flandres!

98 km1770mDe 2 à 4 jours 

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4- Feast on elevation gain for breakfast in the Savoy Prealps

Lac d’Aiguebelette offers an incredibly diverse playground for walking, running, cycling, flying, or sailing—whether you’re a beginner or an experienced outdoor enthusiast. All year round, a wide range of activities is available in the heart of a natural setting that invites you to recharge, between lake, countryside, and mountains… You can “feast on elevation gain” every morning during a long weekend getaway—but you can also enjoy many other activities along the way!

5- Treat yourself to a getaway along the lakes of Isère

Finding that rare balance between effort and restoration. From the deep blue waters of Lac de Paladru to the vertigo-inducing footbridges of Lac de Monteynard, and through the wilder atmospheres of Lac de Laffrey and Lac du Sautet, each route becomes an invitation to explore in a different way. But you can also slow down, pause to take in the sweeping views from above, listen to the silence along the shores once you’re down by the water, watch the light shift across the surface, and simply enjoy the moment. Discover 8 route ideas for all levels, while waiting for the chance to explore the high-altitude lakes…

Peyragüe
13.6 km730 m1h30-3h
Corps - Lac du Sautet
A gentle start followed by a change of slope for the climb. The descent down to Corps then offers beautiful views over Lake Sautet as a reward.
Le Canier
13.5 km550m1h30-3h
Saint-Théoffrey - Lac de Laffrey
A pleasant climb along the edge of a stream up, then things get tougher on the route of the Verticale du Grand Serre, before a nice balcony singletrack and an easy return via trails.
Le Crey des Vorges
10 km240 m1-2h
Saint-Théoffrey - Lac de Laffrey
Perfect route for beginners, with fast track at the start, up to Lac des Cordeliers. The rest is very fun, with a ridgeline singletrack and forest sections.
Le Vallon de La Jonche
20.3 km1010m2-4h
Saint-Théoffrey - Lac de Laffrey
An extension of the Vorges route for the more daring: with balcony trails and magnificent views over the lakes.
Grand trail du lac de Paladru
25.6 km630m2-4h
Charavines - Lac de Paladru
Set off on a full loop around the lake, discovering its natural and historical heritage, with frequent accelerations on rolling terrain and nonetheless some fairly demanding climbs.
Le bois de Briche
18.5 km410m1h30-3h
Villages du lac de Paladru
Climb up to the “Montagne” before descending to Valencogne, then return to Paladru via Les Trois Croix, after passing by the Vivier ponds.
Le Grand Platon
9.3 km250m50min-1h45 
Charavines - Lac de Paladru
An easy route that passes under the Clermont Tower and takes you up to the Croix des Cochettes, before descending to the greenway to reach the Bois d’Amour.
Les passerelles du lac
12.4 km430m1h15-2h30
Treffort - Lac de Monteynard
A striking landscape between pine forests and turquoise waters, featuring two Himalayan-style footbridges over the Drac and the Ébron. Access to the start is by boat crossing!
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