Trail race calendar in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026
Also known as French Alps
The world epicentre of high-mountain trail: Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, is the birthplace of the UTMB; Annecy, by its turquoise lake, hosts the Maxi-Race. Brutal elevation gain, glaciers, and some of the most photographed alpine landscapes in Europe.
Calendar updated October 2026
Season essentials
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
15 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)
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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.
Who would you run them with? Send them this list.
Share this view(opens in a new tab)December2026
1
February2027
1
Trace des Maquisards
Oyonnax · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
100 · 100 · 35 kmAdvanced
Season essentials
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)
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
May2027
2
June2027
3
Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB
Le Puy-en-Velay · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
139 · 88 · 55 kmIntermediate
Marathon du Mont-Blanc
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
88 · 42 · 23 kmElite
Trail du Grand Duc
Les Échelles · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
70 · 39 · 27 kmAdvanced
July2027
6
Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise
Pralognan-la-Vanoise · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
73 · 41 · 25 kmAdvanced
Trail des Passerelles du Monteynard
Treffort · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
63 · 42 · 26 kmAdvanced
Ultra Tour du Beaufortain
Queige · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
110 kmElite
Recommended gear · Best Overall
Salomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Compare with other options →
Ultra Tour des 4 Massifs
Grenoble · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
176 · 94 · 44 kmElite
Montagn'Hard
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
110 kmElite
La 6000D
Aime-la-Plagne · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
69 · 43 · 30 kmAdvanced
Estimated dates based on the previous edition: the organisers have not yet published the official 2027 calendar.
September2027
2
Ultra-Trail du Vercors
Villard-de-Lans · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
84 kmAdvanced
Trail des Aiguilles Rouges
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
50 · 16 · 9 kmAdvanced
Essential gear for trails in this area
Most-bought gear for running in nov.
Buff
Buff Thermonet
Thermal tubular Buff with Primaloft technology. Traps body heat, ultralight and versatile: hat, neck gaiter, headband. Ideal for high mountain.
Petzl
Petzl Actik Core
Rechargeable 600-lumen headlamp with the Core battery included. Compatible with AAA batteries. Red mode to preserve night vision. Ideal for ultras with night sections.
Petzl
Petzl Iko Core
Ultralight 79 g headlamp with AIRFIT headband and rear battery to distribute weight. 500 lumens with rechargeable Core battery (2h30 at max power, 9h at 100 lumens, 100h in reserve mode). Compatible with AAA batteries. Ideal for night ultras where weight on the head matters.
Nitecore
Nitecore NU25
Ultralight 56 g headlamp with 400 lumens and up to 45 hours of runtime in low mode. USB-C charging, dual beam (wide and spot) and an auxiliary red light that does not dazzle while running. A very competitive entry-level weight option for those who do not need maximum power.
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Gear up for the mountains
The right gear makes the difference on race day. Our comparison guides to choose well.
Swipe to see all 4 categories
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See the 4 races already held this year
- 20 AugL'Échappée Belle
- 12 SeptUltra-Trail du Vercors
- 27 SeptTrail des Aiguilles Rouges
- 18 OctTrail des Gaulois
Races by area
Races in Ain
Races in Alta Saboya
Races in Ardeche
Races in Cantal
Races in Haute Loire
Races in Haute Savoie
Races in Isere
Races in Loira
Races in Saboya
Races in Savoie
Races in Otras
Race map
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About the region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
“Mont Blanc and Lake Annecy: the birthplace of alpine trail”
Key facts about the region
4.809 m
Mont Blanc, roof of the Alps
UTMB
Birthplace of the UTMB World Series
Jun – Sep
High mountain window
2003
First edition of the UTMB
19
Races
3 – 176 km
Distance range
50 – 11,590 D+
Elevation range
Feb – Dec
Race months
Difficulty
Terrain
Chamonix is the starting point of the Tour du Mont Blanc, the route that gave rise to the UTMB, and offers the most demanding alpine trail in France: elevation gains of over 2,000 m per stage, technical high mountain terrain, and direct views of the Mont Blanc massif. Annecy, 130 km to the north, combines mountains with a glacial lake of turquoise waters, allowing routes that alternate alpine ridges and lakeshore, with slightly less extreme but equally spectacular profiles.
Key areas
Climate & best season
The safe high-mountain window runs from June to September, when passes and ridges are free of snow. July and August concentrate the bulk of the calendar, with UTMB in late August and Maxi-Race and Marathon du Mont-Blanc in June-July. Outside that window, snow can close the highest sections even in midsummer during years with late thaw.
Trail culture
Chamonix is ground zero for world trail running: the UTMB was born here in 2003, and every August the UTMB World Series final is held here, with tens of thousands of spectators in the village centre. Annecy, less than two hours away by car, has built its own trail identity around the Maxi-Race and the Marathon du Mont-Blanc, leveraging a lake that is already one of France's most visited tourist destinations. The region has Europe's highest density of technical mountain gear shops, with Chamonix as the undisputed capital of alpine equipment.
Iconic races in the region