Agenda

Agenda

Trail de la Meije

Between mountain landscapes with a view of the Écrins massif and an assured 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!

Trail de la Meije adapts to everyone's desires, offering 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. Indeed, there's something for everyone, from Kv+ to Marathon, 26km or 15km, not forgetting a children's race and a course suitable for joëlettes. 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 at Les 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
16 km & 750 D+
This route takes in the Haute Romanche valley in a dream landscape, facing the Meije. It's a pretty loop that will take you on a quick tour of the canton's mythical sites. Starting at the village hall in La Grave, you'll pass through this authentic mountain village, then climb up to the banks of the Romanche in a larch forest, where the river refreshes you before entering the village of Villar d'Arène. The first refreshment station awaits you on the square in front of St Martin's church. Afterwards, the climb up to Lac du Pontet gives you a chance to get some height and look down on the valley from above. After a short, fairly rolling balcony traverse, you'll find yourself at the Col de l'Aiguillon. All that remains is to descend to the village and return to La Grave via the river in the Ecrins National Park.

THE MEIJE TROPHY
27 km & 1634 D+
This route takes in a multitude of mountain landscapes. Starting on a small single in a larch forest, runners then cross terraced mountain pastures before arriving at a high-altitude lake. The race then reaches its highest point 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 42km 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 the village of La Grave.

THE MEIJE MARATHON
45 km & 2,500 D+ (altitude gain)
This marathon trail takes you deeper into the remote corners of Meije country, starting in La Grave.
It's a rolling but demanding course, with an average altitude of over 1,600 meters and a high point of 2,707 meters. From the highest point, the view of the Goléon refuge and its lake is one of the finest in the canton. 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 Pic du Mas de la Grave refuge, 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 back to the village of La Grave.