Trail de Maurienne

The Trail de Maurienne is a 55-kilometer trail race with 3,500 meters of elevation gain that takes place in the Maurienne valley, in the Savoie department. The race starts from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the historic capital of the valley and a town steeped in history. The Maurienne is the longest intra-alpine valley in France, stretching over 120 kilometers along the Arc river, from the Col de l'Iseran to its confluence with the Isere at Aiton.

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne is a town with remarkable heritage, known for its 11th-century Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist and its Opinel Museum, dedicated to the famous Savoyard knife. The town sits at approximately 550 meters of altitude, at the crossroads of several lateral valleys that offer direct access to the surrounding peaks. This strategic position makes the Trail de Maurienne a race that allows exploration of the different elevation levels of the Savoyard mountains.

The 55-kilometer course takes runners from the valley floor to the heights of the massifs framing the Maurienne. To the north, the Aiguilles d'Arves and the Grandes Rousses chain raise their rocky silhouettes. To the south, the Vanoise massif and its glaciers form a grandiose backdrop. The route alternates between conifer forests, flowering alpine pastures in summer, and high-altitude passages where bare rock dominates. Runners pass through preserved high-altitude hamlets, witnesses to centuries of pastoral life.

With 3,500 meters of positive elevation gain, the Trail de Maurienne demands challenging climbs that test both the legs and the mental fortitude of participants. The trails follow ancient mule tracks that once connected the valley villages to the high-altitude pastures. These historic paths, sometimes paved with large schist slabs, bear witness to the agropastoral heritage of the Maurienne. The descents are often technical, on rocky and steep trails that demand solid technical skills.

The Maurienne is a true climatic corridor between the Northern Alps and the Southern Alps. This position grants it generous sunshine and a drier climate than in the more northern massifs. Runners can thus benefit from more clement weather conditions, although altitude thunderstorms remain possible and sometimes violent in summer. The valley's geology is complex, with an alternation of schists, gypsum, and limestone creating surprising landscapes.

For international runners, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne is easily accessible from the Rhone valley via the A43 motorway and from Italy via the Frejus tunnel. The Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne train station is served by direct TGV trains from Paris. Accommodation options in the valley are varied, ranging from hotels to mountain lodges and campsites.

Assistance on the Trail de Maurienne is a considerable asset for runners. The valley being long and access sometimes complex, a local assistant familiar with the roads and access routes to aid stations can considerably optimize race logistics. Managing nutrition and hydration is crucial over a 55-kilometer distance with such significant elevation gain, and personalized support can make all the difference.

The Trail de Maurienne offers an authentic racing experience in one of the most characteristic valleys of the Savoyard Alps. The diversity of landscapes, the richness of the cultural heritage, and the wild beauty of the surrounding mountains make it an essential event for lovers of alpine trail running.

Trail de Maurienne is a 55 km trail race with 3,500 m of elevation gain, located in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Savoie. The next edition is scheduled for 6 September 2026.

Find all official information on the race website.