Trail des Crêtes du Chablais

The Trail des Cretes du Chablais is a 58-kilometer trail race with 3,600 meters of elevation gain that takes place in the Chablais massif, in the Haute-Savoie department, starting from Thonon-les-Bains. This ambitious event traverses the Chablais ridges from west to east, offering runners a complete crossing of this little-known but landscape-rich pre-Alpine massif. Thonon-les-Bains, sub-prefecture of Haute-Savoie, is an elegant thermal town situated on the shores of Lake Geneva.

The Chablais is a pre-Alpine massif stretching between Lake Geneva to the north and the Arve valley to the south. This territory, classified as a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2012, presents major geological interest: it testifies to the formation of the Alps through the superposition of thrust sheets, those great rock masses transported over tens of kilometers by tectonic movements. The Chablais landscapes are a direct reflection of this complex geological history, alternating between limestone plateaus, deep valleys, spectacular gorges, and peaks of varied shapes.

The 58-kilometer course follows the ridgelines that form the backbone of the massif. Runners start from Thonon, at the lake's edge, to rapidly climb toward the Chablais peaks. The route passes through iconic summits such as the Memises, Mont Billiat, Roc d'Enfer, and Cornettes de Bise. Each ridge offers different perspectives: plunging views of Lake Geneva on one side, panoramas of the Swiss Alps and Mont Blanc on the other.

With 3,600 meters of positive elevation gain over 58 kilometers, the Trail des Cretes du Chablais is an event that demands solid physical and mental preparation. The sequences of climbs and descents are constant, with no truly flat section for recovery. The ridges expose runners to wind and rapid weather changes. The trails vary between wide pastoral paths in alpine meadows and technical singletrack on rocky ridges.

The Chablais is a territory of great ecological richness. Beech, fir, and spruce forests cover the lower slopes, while high-altitude pastures host diverse alpine flora. Wildlife is abundant: chamois, roe deer, foxes, badgers, and a remarkable avifauna including golden eagles and capercaillie. The Chablais alpine pastures are the birthplace of Abondance PDO cheese, made from the milk of Abondance cattle grazing on these altitude meadows.

Thonon-les-Bains is a town with rich heritage, known for its thermal waters, its Chateau de Sonnaz, and its terraced gardens overlooking the lake. The town offers a pleasant starting setting and an ideal logistical base for runners. Its port and developed beach allow enjoyment of the lake before or after the race.

For international runners, Thonon-les-Bains is approximately 70 kilometers from Geneva airport, less than an hour by road. The town is served by train from Geneva, Annemasse, and the main cities of the region. Accommodation is varied, with hotels, tourist residences, lodges, and campsites.

Assistance is a strategic element on the Trail des Cretes du Chablais due to the length of the course and constant altitude variations. An assistant able to navigate the Chablais road network and position at aid stations provides a real competitive advantage. Managing nutrition, hydration, and equipment over 58 kilometers in the mountains is a delicate exercise that greatly benefits from outside support.

The Trail des Cretes du Chablais is a major race that reveals the hidden treasures of the Chablais. It is a complete crossing of an underestimated massif, a ridge-to-ridge adventure offering exceptional panoramas and immersion in authentic mountain terroir.