Do you like walking and running, rugged terrain and the great outdoors? We’ve put together a selection of the best trail routes in Normandy. A great way to discover the region and its natural landscapes, but also to train for your next race.
The Station de Trail® Bagnoles Normandie
Bagnoles de l’Orne is the only spa town in Normandy, set in 7,400 hectares of forest. It is also the first town in Normandy to have received the Station de Trail® label.
The Station de Trail® Bagnoles Normandie has a total of 12 trails and 4 training workshops. The 12 trails range in length from 5 km to 60 km. Nathalie Mauclair, twice World Trail Champion, trains here regularly.
Each trail is fully numbered and marked with a colour code similar to the ski slopes: green, blue, red and black. The GPX route is also available for each trail. In addition, 4 trail training workshops have been designed over short distances to help you improve your technique and training.
Beginners can take part in introductory courses run by Davina, a sports instructor at the Bagnoles de l’Orne resort.
The Bagnoles Normandie Trail is also organised in the area.
The Station de Trail® of Écouves
The Ecouves massif is the highest in Normandy and is set in an environment that combines nature and heritage. Certified by the ‘station de trail®’ network, this resort offers 7 routes starting from the Saint-Jean field in Radon and 4 training workshops. The 7 trails range in length from 7 km to 31 km.
Each trail is fully numbered and marked with a colour code similar to the ski slopes: green, blue, red and black. GPX maps are also available for each trail. In addition, there are 4 short distance trail training workshops designed to help you improve your technique and training. The resort also offers training courses for those who wish to be supervised.
Univers Trail Suisse Normande
The Suisse Normande is a sporting destination par excellence: climbing, via ferrata, canoeing, cycling, paragliding… and also trail running! The region offers 10 well-signposted and signposted trails, starting from 3 different locations. The circuits range in length from 5km to 29km, with an ultra tour of 87km. Each circuit has its own number. There are 4 levels of difficulty.
A XXL scientific trail (154 km) took place in Clécy on 11 November. The race was dedicated to researching and understanding the mechanisms that determine performance in long-distance trail running.
Caux Seine
Situated between the Seine and the sea, the Caux Seine area of Normandy offers 8 walking routes. Ranging in length from 9 to 40 kilometres, these signposted walks cover a total of 155 kilometres and start at 2 locations: Valasse Abbey and Villequier. Following in the footsteps of Victor Hugo or Arsène Lupin, these routes invite you to discover abbeys, chapels and castles in the heart of the forest, never far from the River Seine.
On the running front: the RaDicAtrAil, a whole weekend in April with 5 trails, 4 challenges, 1 Nordic walk, 1 hike, 2 children’s trails and lots of entertainment in Lillebonne. Then there is RaDicAgirl, the only trail in France reserved for women, on 1 and 2 October in Villequier.
And don’t forget: Caux Seine also offers 18 hiking trails, 8 mountain bike trails, 2 cycling trails and 6 horse riding trails. The Rando & Trail en Caux Seine app can be downloaded on IOS and Android. You can also consult all the routes online and get all the information you need at the Maison de la Rando & du Trail in Caudebec en Caux.
Rouen Seine-Eure Station Trail
The Seine-Eure area of Normandy offers 8 walking routes, ranging from 8 to 38 kilometres, with two main starting points: the Parc de Léry-Poses and the Château de Gaillon. These routes are a great way to discover the magnificent panoramas of the Seine Valley and the picturesque Eure Valley in the footsteps of Marcel Pagnol.
On the competitive side, the Trail des Deux Amants, held every April, offers a weekend of four races. For those who prefer shorter distances, the Noc’Trail and the AventureTrail offer routes of between 15 and 25 km. Those with more stamina can try the 45km Gran’Trail or the intimidating 65km Maxi’Trail. The latter, considered one of the most challenging in Normandy, is what makes this event so famous.
Trail running competitions
Throughout the year, Normandy organises numerous trail races, such as La Diabolik de Ragnar, La Barjo, the Radicatrail, the Trail des 2 Amants, the Trail des Rois Maudits, the Bagnoles Normandie Trail and the Trail de la Roche d’Oëtre.
All trail running competitionsOur selection of Normandy Experiences
Normandy Experiences are local gems that add meaning to your trip. You’ll meet Normandy people who are truly passionate about what they do.
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