Trails in the Var

Did you know that the Var is the second most forested department in France after the Landes? It's crazy, but it's true 🌲. Forget concrete, here it's the nature race queen that rules between land and the Big Blue 🌊. From the Esterel Massif with its red volcanic rock dating back to the primary era to the Massif des Maures, your pupils will vibrate as much as your quadriceps 🌋. With its 5,973 km², this territory offers incredible biodiversity where boars sometimes outnumber tourists in winter 🐗. Toulon, the prefecture, is not just a historic military port; it's also the gateway to Mont Faron, which watches you from its 584 meters 🚠. It's a raw environment where thyme and rosemary whip your calves with every stride, a real free natural spa 🌿.

Let's talk little but say a lot, because running makes you very hungry 😋. After tackling the elevation, you can indulge guilt-free in a Tarte Tropézienne, this creamy brioche delight invented by a Pole in Saint-Tropez in the 50s 🥧. Moreover, it is in these lands that French cinema has its best habits, from the "Gendarmes" series with the legendary Louis de Funès to the mythical scenes of Brigitte Bardot 🎬. Here we speak with a melodic accent, and sometimes drop a few words of Provençal, the famous dialect that smells like garrigue and olive oil 🗣️. Be sure not to leave without tasting the Solliès fig or the Collobrières chestnuts, it's the local fuel par excellence to leave with a bang 🌰.

The Var trail calendar is busier than a café terrace on the port of Hyères in August 🗓️. It's a land of champions where elite athletes like Thibaut Garrivier have come to shine on the technical and rocky trails of the Sainte-Baume 🧗. This mystical massif also houses the grotto of Mary Magdalene, a sacred pilgrimage site that might give you faith in the steepest climbs 🙏. Whether you're looking for a race in the Var that rolls or a technical project worthy of the Alps, you will find your happiness among the song of cicadas and the shade of cork oaks 🦗. Watch out for the Mistral, which can blow hard; it's the invisible training partner that strengthens the mind 🌬️.

So, which event are you going to proudly pin to your hunt board this season? 🎯. You can take on the legendary Trail de la Sainte Baume to measure yourself against the local legend in an electrifying atmosphere 🔥. If you prefer autumn, opt for the Trail des Maures in Collobrières, known for its festive atmosphere and wild trails 🍂. For a unique experience in the heart of a wine estate, the Trail de l’Escarelle will have you running amidst protected vineyards (promise, we drink water at the refreshment point) 🍷. If you want grandeur and vertigo, the Var Verdon Canyon Challenge offers you the most spectacular gorges of Europe for an unforgettable memory 🛶. Finally, the Trail de Bormes-les-Mimosas guarantees breathtaking sea views, literally, with a start often with your feet in the sand 👟.

It's time to stop scrolling on your phone and come wear out your soles on the limestone of the South 📱.