Trail de la Meije

Between mountain landscapes with views of the Écrins massif and a guaranteed conviviality, passionate runners will be able to tread the trails of the Pays de la Meije while setting themselves a sporting challenge!

Trail running is an outdoor activity on hilly and sometimes steep trails. But the most important thing to remember is that it's a sport that's sure to give you a thrill, and allow you to contemplate the peaks while simply enjoying nature!

The Trail de la Meije offers something for everyone, with 3 routes on Sunday and a vertical kilometer on Saturday. These routes will take runners around La Grave, Villar d'Arène and their hamlets, along some of the most legendary trails in the Hautes-Alpes. There's something for everyone, from vertical kilometers to marathons, from 27km to 16km, not forgetting the children's race. So don't wait any longer, come and discover the warm and welcoming atmosphere of high-altitude villages!

THE DIFFERENT ROUTES :

THE FRÉAUX VERTICAL KILOMETER

Distance: 4.8 km & 1200 D+ (vertical kilometer)

To warm up for Sunday's races, a vertical kilometer is proposed on Saturday, with the participation of Les Téléphériques des Glaciers de la Meije. The program includes 4.8km and 1200m D+, starting from the hamlet of Fréaux and climbing steeply to the Puy Vachier lake and the Chancel refuge.

At the top, a refreshment station awaits you and you can enjoy the view, before reaching the station at 2400m and taking the gondola back down to La Grave.

LA BOUCLE DE L'AIGUILLON

15 km & 650 D+ (altitude gain)

This 15 km route takes you through the Haute Romanche valley in a dreamy landscape, facing the Meije. It's a lovely loop that takes you on a quick tour of the canton. It starts at the village hall in La Grave, an authentic mountain village, then climbs along the banks of the Romanche through a larch forest, before entering the village of Villar d'Arène. The first refreshment station awaits you in the square in front of St Martin's church. Then the climb up to Lac du Pontet gives you the chance to take in the view from above. This is followed by a beautiful balcony traverse on a mountain pasture path to the Col de l'Aiguillon, where you can enjoy a new viewpoint. A fast, then technical descent takes you back to Villar d'Arène, where the same refreshments await you before returning to La Grave on the GR54 in the heart of the Ecrins National Park.

THE MEIJE TROPHY

27 km & 1650 D+ (altitude gain)

The 27 km Trophée de la Meije is a route that takes you through a multitude of mountain landscapes. Starting on a single track in a larch forest, runners cross terraced mountain pastures before arriving at a pleasant high-altitude lake. You'll then reach the highest point of the race at 2707m, with an obligatory stop at the Goléon refuge. The second part of the route features a beautiful panorama of the Meije and a descent along a ridge line overlooking the canton. Competitors on the 45km will then switch to the vallon de la Buffe, where you'll reach the hamlet of Le Chazelet, before a final descent through the slate to head for the village of La Grave. This wild and varied route is sure to leave a lasting impression!

THE MEIJE MARATHON

45 km & 2500 D+

This marathon trail takes you deeper into the remote corners of Meije country, starting in La Grave.

This demanding course takes place at an altitude of over 1,600 meters, culminating at 2,707m to be exact. You'll enjoy the view of the Goléon refuge and its lake. After the Col du Cruq, a bit of well-marked "off-trail" awaits you to reach the Signal de La Grave and a beautiful panoramic descent over the ridge. Next, head for the refuge du Pic du Mas de la Grave before tackling the final climb to the famous Plateau d'Emparis.

In September, this mountain plateau bears a striking resemblance to the famous South American altiplano. A loop on this plateau takes you to two mountain lakes with views of the Écrins massif. Finally, a long descent takes you to the finish in the village of La Grave.