Trail

Trail running in Savoie: running... mountain style!

Do you live in the city? Are you used to running on pavement? Are you starting to feel stuck by taking the same routes, the same streets, the same parks? What if you spiced up your workout routine on the trails of Savoie!

In the mountains, running becomes trail running: a discipline that is gaining popularity, which involves running in nature, on more or less technical hilly paths (wide and smooth 4x4 tracks, narrow dirt or grass trails, rocky sections or those with roots…). A bit like hiking… but in running form!

While trail running can be practiced everywhere (there are even urban trails), Savoie makes dream mountain running enthusiasts from all over the world. Mythical summits, dizzying ridges, impressive glaciers, high-altitude lakes, blooming and lush pastures… All the ingredients are gathered for races that are sometimes epic, sometimes accessible, but are remembered for a long time.

See the trail itineraries!

But by the way… why run in the mountains?

Mountain lovers who do not yet practice trail running are sometimes perplexed when they are overtaken by trail runners who are half-man (or woman) / half-chamois during their hikes on the trails.

Why run? Why not take the time, enjoy the scenery, stop to take photos, chat with your companions of the day, share a picnic halfway... Or even: why put yourself through such physical effort? Isn't it already difficult enough to tackle all this elevation without rushing?

There is not one, but two answers to these questions: trail running allows its practitioners to satisfy a certain craving for landscapes and a pronounced taste for self-overcoming. Ultimately, trail running is not so far removed from hiking!

Mountain running allows you to go further than hiking in the same amount of time. So you can discover new, more distant landscapes, reach a viewpoint inaccessible to hikers constrained by the ticking clock, and take in breathtaking sights in a minimum of time.

Because yes, the trail in Savoie is not incompatible with admiring the mountains, quite the opposite! On the ascent, the pace is rather relaxed (it's not uncommon for trail runners to walk to conserve energy). Once on flat ground, as long as the path is smooth (so not too technical, without obstacles), it is completely possible to run with your eyes fixed on the peaks, without looking at your feet. And the descent? It is rarely the favorite part for walkers (ouch, the knees!), so you might as well run to get down faster...

Mountain running is also an excellent activity to push your limits. Distance, positive and negative elevation, altitude, technicality of the trails… So many challenges to add to your list of summer sports challenges, whether you are a good climber or excellent at descending!

Put on your sneakers: it's time for a first initiation outing to trail running in Savoie

To get started with trail running, you don't need to invest in expensive equipment. However, you must be strict about safety. Three things to consider before you start:

A pair of shoes with a very good sole, suitable for the terrain you will be on. Dirt? Small pebbles? Rocky ground? Equip yourself with trail shoes that will resist abrasion, and above all allow you to alternate between walking and running with complete confidence, without fear of slipping
To carry water, a charged phone, a windbreaker, a granola bar… Trail bags are very practical for this since they are fitted to your body. No risk of feeling your bag bouncing on your back and shoulders (nor hearing the very annoying sloshing of water in your bottle…). You probably have someone around you who can lend you theirs for this trail initiation, right?
Make sure to check the weather forecast before you leave (the weather changes quickly in the mountains, don’t get caught off guard).

Be reasonable for your first mountain running outing: choose an easy route, not too long, with little elevation gain, fairly flat (in other words: without technical sections with rocks, roots, etc.).

This will allow you to get familiar with the sensations of trail running (very different from road running) and to build confidence. There will always be time later to increase the difficulty with a blue (moderate), red (difficult), or black (very difficult) trail route.

By the way, did you know? In trail running, we often talk about effort kilometers (km-e) to estimate the actual effort required for a given route. The calculation is simple: you take the total distance in kilometers, to which you add 1 km for every 100 m of positive elevation gain.

For example: you found a 10 km trail route because you are used to running 10 km on flat ground? Be careful, if the trail profile indicates a positive elevation gain of 800 m, the effort required will be equivalent to... 18 km-e! That is 10 km + 8 x 100 m of D+. Perhaps a bit ambitious for a trail initiation, right?

Trail enthusiast? Go chase the KOM or QOM on Strava!

Are you used to running in the mountains? What if you took advantage of your vacation in Savoie to try to boost your statistics on Strava! A little personal record that feels good, a "local legend" title earned by surprise on a little-frequented trail, or even (the ultimate Grail!), a KOM / QOM (King of the Mountain / Queen of the Mountain) if you're feeling particularly strong!

Be careful, you are not the only one wanting to win this precious virtual trophy... and the competition is tough! The trail paths in Savoie are traversed far and wide by professional trail runners lining up at the start of the most beautiful "ultras" in the Alps.

Check the list of trail routes in La Plagne of easy, moderate, difficult, and very difficult levels.

One bib, two bibs, three bibs… Plan your mountain outings according to your trail schedule

The problem with trail running is that you quickly get hooked. Quickly, it’s climbing: set out for a simple hike, and you find yourself thinking: “it would be faster if I ran on this section...”. That’s the turning point! You were a hiker, and now you’re a trail runner.

You start to perk up when your friends talk about their latest trail run in Savoie. The excitement at the start, the pride at the moment of crossing the finish line, the finisher medal that you show at the office the next day, the aid station where you might have indulged a bit too much, the recovery beer with the trail running community, the nice shower in the evening that washes away the traces of the day… Quite tempting all of that!

Suddenly, you find yourself signed up for your first trail in Savoie, to “see what you’re worth.” Officially, the goal is to be a finisher (unofficially, you already have a time in mind).

Course finished… It was tough anyway! Never again! Well… until the next one! With a bit more training, it will be better. That's convenient: in La Plagne, you have about twenty trail routes designed to help you progress in your practice (and a legendary trail race from which you can line up… The 6000D! We'll talk about it right after).

The 6000D: the must-do trail race in Savoie

La Plagne is a recognized trail destination in Savoie. Historically linked to mountain trail running, the resort has been organizing since 1990 the famous 6000D, a mythical alpine trail of 69 km with a positive elevation gain of 3400 m (which is 103 km-e!).

This date is a key event in the trail calendar in Savoie sees beginners and seasoned trail runners compete on several trail routes: The 6000D mentioned above of course, but also its version in relay for three (to make the experience more friendly and accessible), The 6D Marathon (43 km, 2100 m of elevation gain), The 6 Discovery (11 km, 600 m of elevation gain), The 6 Bob (a hellish climb of 1.5 km on the legendary bobsleigh track from the 1992 Olympics!), The 6D Lakes (30 km, 1500 m of elevation gain), the 6 Release (5 km, 250 m of elevation gain), The 6D Kids (for children who want to copy their parents and join the fun on a 500 m long adapted loop) and The 6D Adventure (a treasure hunt that families love).

So, what are you waiting for to get your bib ?