Trail des Vallées

The Trail des Vallées is a 48-kilometer race with 1,000 meters of elevation gain held in Mesnil-Roc'h, in the Ille-et-Vilaine department, at the heart of the Breton countryside. Although Brittany is not traditionally associated with mountain trail running, this event demonstrates that the deep valleys and rolling terrain of inland Brittany offer remarkable grounds for trail runners. Mesnil-Roc'h, a commune located between Dinan and Combourg, sits at the crossroads of several valleys carved by rivers flowing down toward the Rance estuary and the Emerald Coast.

The Trail des Vallées course follows a dense network of chemins creux — sunken lanes bordered by embankments planted with oaks, chestnut trees, and holly — that constitute one of the most characteristic landscapes of inland Brittany. These sunken paths, remnants of the ancestral Breton bocage, offer shaded and intimate passages where runners immerse themselves in lush nature. The course also crosses heathlands, hedgerow meadows, and woodlands rich in biodiversity, featuring tree ferns, lichens, and mosses carpeting the damp forest floor.

With 1,000 meters of elevation gain over 48 kilometers, the profile is that of a rolling trail with numerous short but repeated climbs and descents, typical of Breton terrain. The deep valleys impose sometimes steep ascents from the valley floors up to the agricultural plateaus, creating a sawtooth profile that progressively wears down the legs. Trails can be muddy and slippery, especially in valley bottoms and woodlands, demanding good adaptation to soft ground conditions. Sections along streams offer welcome moments of freshness.

The Mesnil-Roc'h region is rich in historical and legendary heritage that pervades the course. Nearby stands the Château de Combourg, childhood home of François-René de Chateaubriand, one of France's greatest Romantic writers. Megalithic monuments, rural chapels, and calvaries marking the landscape bear witness to the ancient human presence and the depth of Breton culture. The Canal d'Ille-et-Rance, a historic waterway connecting the English Channel to the Atlantic, also crosses this region and offers towpath sections with a smoother running profile.

The Trail des Vallées appeals through its authentically Breton atmosphere, blending conviviality, sporting commitment, and discovery of a preserved terroir. The 48 kilometers represent a fine endurance challenge where terrain management and handling wet conditions matter as much as raw fitness. The volunteers' welcome, fueled by legendary Breton hospitality, shines through generous aid stations where crêpes, kouign-amann pastries, and farmhouse cider reward the runners' efforts. This race proves that Brittany, with its secret valleys and thousand-year-old sunken lanes, fully deserves its place on the map of French trail running.