Trail des Bauges

The Trail des Bauges is a 48-kilometer trail race with 2,800 meters of elevation gain that takes place in the Bauges massif, in the Savoie department, starting from Le Chatelard. The Bauges massif, a Regional Natural Park since 1995 and labeled a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2011, is a little-known natural jewel of the Pre-Alps, situated between Lakes Annecy and Bourget, between Chambery and Albertville. Le Chatelard, the canton capital at the heart of the massif, is an authentic mountain town that retains its rural and peaceful character.

The Bauges are a limestone massif with gentle and harmonious forms, a vast perched syncline delimited by steep cliffs forming a true natural fortress. Access to the heart of the massif is through spectacular gorges and cluses, such as the Cluse de Bange and the Gorges du Cheran. This geographic configuration long isolated the Bauges from the outside world, preserving natural and cultural heritage of exceptional richness.

The 48-kilometer Trail des Bauges course explores the interior valleys and summits of the massif. The trails pass through preserved villages where traditional stone and wood architecture is remarkably conserved. Runners cross deep beech and fir forests covering the slopes, high-altitude pastures where herds of Tarine and Abondance cattle graze, and limestone ridges offering panoramic views of both lakes and surrounding massifs.

With 2,800 meters of positive elevation gain over 48 kilometers, the Trail des Bauges is a demanding event that showcases the tortured relief of the massif. The climbs follow ancient passage routes between the interior valleys, often steep and sustained. The most iconic summits along the course, such as Mont Colombier (2,045 m), Trelod (2,181 m), and Mont de la Coche, offer grandiose panoramas. The descents are varied, alternating between soft forest trails and more technical passages on limestone.

The Bauges massif is a territory where nature and rural traditions coexist harmoniously. Tome des Bauges PDO cheese is the flagship product of this region, made according to ancestral methods from the milk of cows grazing in the alpine pastures. Apple and pear orchards carpeting the valleys produce excellent fruit. Wildlife is abundant, with significant populations of chamois, red deer, and roe deer, as well as golden eagles and peregrine falcons.

The Bauges climate is pre-Alpine, with abundant precipitation nourishing lush vegetation. Summers are pleasant, with moderate temperatures at altitude, but thunderstorms remain frequent. The relative mildness of the Bauges climate, compared to high-mountain massifs, makes this race accessible during a broad summer period.

For international runners, the Bauges massif is ideally situated between several major cities. Chambery is 30 minutes away, Annecy 40 minutes, and Geneva airport less than two hours. Chambery TGV station offers direct connections to Paris. Accommodation in the massif consists primarily of lodges, bed-and-breakfasts, and small hotels, in a rural and warm atmosphere.

Assistance on the Trail des Bauges is an appreciable asset, especially as the massif, despite its relative discretion, presents demanding trails and significant elevation gain. An assistant familiar with the winding roads and access points of the massif can position effectively at aid stations and provide precious personalized support.

The Trail des Bauges is a race that reveals the secret beauty of a massif too often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors. It is an invitation to discover an authentic territory, where mountain life follows the rhythm of the seasons and centuries-old traditions.