Trail race calendar in Hauts-de-France 2026
Also known as Côte d'Opale
Northern France facing the Channel: chalk cliffs, dunes, bocage and the Flemish plain. It is the flattest trail in the country, with the Opal Coast and the Trail National Côte d'Opale as its reference, where vertical gain is counted in tens of metres per kilometre.
Calendar updated October 2026
Photo: Jörg Braukmann / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) / Unsplash(opens in a new tab)For cold and dark miles
Headlamp, thermal layer and a good watch: what matters when daylight runs short.
#1 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#2 · Best Rain JacketGore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best OverallCoros Pace 3View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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Upcoming races: 2026 calendar
2 upcoming races
No races match these filters.
For your vertical km
Poles, grippy shoes and a light vest for a 1,000 m climb.
#1 · Best OverallBlack Diamond Distance Carbon ZView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#2 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For a short race
Shoes, socks and sun protection: just what you need to run fast.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#2 · Best OverallCompressport Pro Racing Socks V3.0 TrailView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best OverallISDIN Fusion Water Sunscreen SPF 50+View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For a mid-distance race
Shoes, vest and hydration for 21-42 km without suffering.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best Gel OverallMaurten Gel 100View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For a long race
Vest, headlamp and nutrition for all those hours in the mountains.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #3 · Best Gel OverallMaurten Gel 100View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
For your ultra
A watch with battery to spare, a powerful headlamp and poles: the gear that can't fail.
- #1 · Best OverallCoros Pace 3View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #3 · Best OverallBlack Diamond Distance Carbon ZView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Essential gear for trails in this area
Most-bought gear for running in apr.
Black Diamond
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
Ultralight carbon Z-pole foldable trekking poles. 137 g per pole in 110 cm length, 33 cm folded. EVA grip and adjustable strap. The trail running reference.
Hoka
Hoka Speedgoat 7
The best-selling trail shoe in the US and an absolute ultra-trail classic. Max Hoka cushioning, a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs for grip in mud and technical terrain, and a snug Matryx upper. Built to eat up kilometres without punishing your legs in long races.
Icebreaker
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis LS Crewe
Long-sleeve thermal top in 100% merino wool (200g). Natural temperature regulation, genuine multi-day odor resistance and a soft, non-itch handfeel from the fine merino yarn.
Altra
Altra Lone Peak 9
Trail running shoe with zero drop and wide FootShape toe box that allows natural toe splay. 25 mm stack with EGO foam for balanced cushioning without losing ground contact. MaxTrac outsole with 3.5 mm lugs, ideal for non-technical trails, forest tracks and long-distance paths.
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Gear up for the mountains
The right gear makes the difference on race day. Our comparison guides to choose well.
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Races by area
Races in Nord
Races in Pas De Calais
Race map
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About the region Hauts-de-France
“Flat, but never easy”
Key facts about the region
950 m
Vertical gain of the 90 km
7.000
Runners at the event
2 Caps
Cliffs facing the Channel
2
Races
13 – 115 km
Distance range
150 – 2,385 D+
Elevation range
Apr – Sep
Race months
Difficulty
Terrain
There is no mountain here: the ground is chalk, sand and farmland. The interest lies in the Two Caps cliffs, where the path climbs and drops over broken chalk while the Channel wind hits head-on. Inland: country lanes, dunes and marshes that turn muddy in winter.
Key areas
Climate & best season
Mild and windy all year, with frequent drizzle. Spring and September are the best windows: long days, mild temperatures and less mud. In winter the Channel wind knocks several degrees off the felt temperature.
Trail culture
This is the mining and seafaring north of France: fishing ports, world war memorial sites, Flemish breweries and a strong cycling culture. Mountain runners arrive with prejudices and leave with wrecked legs: here you run the whole time, with no excuse to hike.
Iconic races in the region