Trails in the Yonne

A postcard setting for your nature run

Here, you'll experience a nature run with many faces. You will alternate between the mysterious paths of the Forest of Othe and the towpaths along the Yonne or the Canal du Nivernais 🌊. But the true star here is the vineyard. Running through rows of grapevines as far as the eye can see, with the low angle light of the late afternoon, is a unique visual experience that every trail runner must experience at least once 🍇. It’s a calming yet wild territory where you might encounter deer around a single-track corner 🦌.

Hilly terrain to test your endurance

Don't think that running in Burgundy is all relaxation. The positive elevation is indeed present and often deceiving. The terrain is hilly, made up of successive hills and plateaus that unexpectedly wear out your legs 📉. The climbs to limestone plateaus or panoramic viewpoints over the valleys will rapidly increase your heart rate ❤️. It’s the perfect terrain to work on your sprints and resistance over distances that can range from short sprints to ultra endurance 🔋.

The indispensables of 89

The department offers grand events that attract crowds. At the forefront, the Trail du Grand Sénonais in Sens is a revered event offering formats up to 100 km for the warriors, with breathtaking views of the Cathedral. It's impossible to ignore the Marathon de Chablis (and its associated trails), a mythical event of the Challenge of Conviviality where you run at the heart of Grand Crus, sometimes in costume 🎉. For panorama lovers, the Trail du Jovinien in Joigny will have you climbing through vineyards at the start of the season, while the Trail d'Accolay will enliven your summer with varied courses.

The trail calendar of the Yonne is rich and spans the entire year, allowing you to see the landscape change with the seasons. It's time to stop salivating over the description, scroll down, and book a bib for your next Burgundian escape 👇.