Trails in the Cantal
The 4 x 1800 Trail
In the heart of the Monts du Cantal, the Lioran resort invites you for a trail running weekend amidst the fir trees and volcanoes of Auvergne 🌲🌋. Whether you're running along forest paths or volcanic peaks, each route provides a total immersion in the natural beauty of the Massif Central.
Various formats are available: the Trail du Plomb (8 miles / 2,460 ft elevation gain), the Trail des Crêtes (13 miles / 3,600 ft elevation gain), and the big 4×1800 race (20 miles / 6,890 ft elevation gain) which can be run solo or as a relay. For the truly daring, the Marathon des Cantalous combines the Plomb and 4×1800 races, covering 29 miles and 9,350 ft elevation gain.
The trails blend technical sections with breathtaking views, all set within a friendly and family-oriented atmosphere throughout the weekend 🎉👨👩👧👦.
If you're seeking a challenging and varied trail run in the heart of the Cantal region, the Trail 4×1800 is waiting for you! 🔥🏔️
Upcoming trails in the Cantal
Salers(15)
Le Lioran(15)
Riom-ès-Montagnes(15)
Lorcières(15)Cant-Go oh-oh oh-oh!
Ready to swap the tarmac for a wild immersion on the largest volcano in Europe? Welcome to the Cantal, the secret garden for runners in search of authenticity. Here, people don't come to show off, but to challenge a naturerace, demanding and incredibly endearing. Whether you're a crest purist or a curious newcomer, this territory in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region offers you a playground of 5,726 km² where every stride tells a millennial geological story.
Legendary races to find your next challenge
Browsing our trail calendartrails is to accept a date with the slope. If you're looking to find your next challenge, the Cantal mountains offer you an incredible diversity. La Pastourelle in Salers is an institution! But why? You'll run among Salers cows before enjoying a local meal. For peak enthusiasts, the Trail des 4 x 1800 is a real technical challenge, propelling you on the most beautiful ridges of the department ⛰️. The positive elevation gain is also earned on the Trail des 6 Burons, a total immersion in the high plateaus where you'll encounter those old stone shepherd shelters. Further south, the Tour du Nipalou will introduce you to the chestnut groves and trails near Lorcières.
Between summer pastures, heritage, and Auvergne gastronomy
Running here means crossing landscapes shaped by man and nature, under a mountain climate that forges temperaments. Between the prefecture of Aurillac (famous for its street festival and umbrellas) and character towns like Saint-Flour or Mauriac, the environment reigns supreme 👑. The biodiversity is exceptional with forests stretching for several kilometers! The heritage doesn't stop at the trails. Between two training sessions, admire the Garabit Viaduct or get lost in the medieval alleys of Salers 🔍. Cantal culture, sometimes whispered in Auvergne Occitan by volunteers at refreshments, is also experienced on the plate. After the effort, truffade, pounti, or a piece of Cantal cheese are the official fuels 🧀. It's this soul, celebrated by local figures like the writer Marie-Hélène Lafon, that makes each experience unique.
Ready to book your race bib in the Cantal?
From the peaks of Puy Mary to the technical trails of Plomb du Cantal, the department awaits you for a human as much as a sports adventure 🏃♀️. Whether you dream of a short intense format or an ultra-trail epic, it's time to book a bib to mark your own record history this year.
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