Trails in Vendée

Here, nature running makes perfect sense with an incredible diversity of terrains that leaves no room for monotony. You'll go from the soft sand that stiffens your calves to the supple forest trails of the Saint-Jean-de-Monts or Olonne 🌲. The scenery constantly changes, offering you magical sessions in the heart of the "Green Venice" where the silence is only broken by your breathing and the gentle lapping of water on the boats 🛶. It's a region where you run with wide open eyes, enjoying unique light on the ocean 🌅.

Don't look for high mountains, but be very wary of the deceptive terrain. While the positive elevation seems modest on paper, the reality of the land is quite different, with the famous hollow paths and series of dunes disrupting your pace 📉. Head to the Mervent-Vouvant Forest Massif if you really want to work those thighs on steep and technical slopes that surprise even seasoned mountain runners 🥵. It’s the school of constant recovery and mental strength against the elements 🌬️.

The department hosts grand events that mark a runner's life and draw crowds. It's impossible not to mention La Foulée des Géants, an absolutely magical night race at the heart of the Puy du Fou that takes you on a journey through centuries and spectacular scenery ⚔️. For a total escape, the Trail de l'Île d'Yeu offers you a wild island tour with a touch of Brittany, highly sought for its panoramas ⚓. Long-distance enthusiasts will gather on the Raidlight Vendée Trail in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, while the Bol d'Air de la Forêt de Mervent will delight those seeking pure technicality and elevation among the trees 🌳.

The Vendée trails calendar is ultra-complete, allowing you to run with feet in the water in summer or in the bocage mud in winter.