Trails in Occitanie

A beautiful and vast region 💫

13 departments, joy or misery? 🫣

It's an understatement to say that Occitanie will leave you spoiled for choice... With its 13 departments, here they are: the Ariège (09), the Aude (11), the Aveyron (12), the Gard (30), the Haute-Garonne (31), the Gers (32), the Hérault (34), the Lot (46), the Lozère (48), the Hautes-Pyrénées (65), the Pyrénées-Orientales (66), the Tarn (81), and the Tarn-et-Garonne (82). Phew 😅! With all these spots, you can imagine the variety of landscapes available. With its mediterranean coast in the East, its Pyrenees mountain range in the South, its Atlantic basin to the West, and its vast Massif Central to the North, Occitanie is spoiled, and so are you at the same time! ⚡️And don't be afraid of the atmosphere, because it's often said that life is good in Occitanie 🧘, so you'll have some stories to tell 💬. If even the ambiance is there, what's more to ask for? 😍

The 3 must-visit places ‼

• The City of Carcassonne, it’s easy to mispronounce 🥴, but more than that, it's a must-see place in the region. On the right bank of the Aude, this fortified medieval village is a true masterpiece 🖼️. Within its area: 2 concentric walls, 3 km of ramparts, and 52 visible towers, which lists it today as a UNESCO World Heritage site 🔥. That makes a quality detour to admire the region 💕.
• Toulouse 🤌, the pink city of the south of France. This city is a must-see in Occitanie, with its lively atmosphere 🎉, you won't be bored. In the center, pink infrastructures, of course 💗, lively streets, and a muy muy bien 😋 cuisine. If it tempts you and you're a fan of Urban Trail, you can already mark the Satuc Trail ⛰️ in the city 🎀.
• The Gorges du Tarn, one of the most famous canyons in France 🇫🇷, no less. Amongst Lozère and Aveyron, plan a kayak outing or a lovely hike 🥾, that's up to you, and admire this magnificent Massif Central! ⛰️ Cliffs, villages, waterways, everything is there, to fully enjoy 💫.

Otherwise... 👐

For avid trail lovers, it's obviously a joy. The hills here sometimes resemble the Italian 🇮🇹 Tuscany. Around, the beautiful medieval cities (besides Carcassonne of course), await you with their historic monuments 🏰, like Albi, Tarbes, or Foix. If you've never seen the Cathedral of Albi it’s a massive piece of history... The Cathar castles are also numerous to visit in the region 🏛️. Montpellier, Perpignan, and Nîmes have good arguments to make. You also have the Pont du Gard, which used to supply water 💦 from Uzès to Nîmes. Surely, it has seen many pass, as it was built in the 1st century! 🫨 The arenas of Nîmes are another must-visit in the region. And for those who love ❤️ nature, Occitanie has many favored areas, like the Pyrénées National Park, the Cévennes Park, and the Grands Causses Regional Park. To cool off, you’ll have the Canal du Midi or the Gorges du Gardon which will be ideal 🏞️.

Time for nature sports 🌳

The calendar of Trails in Occitanie is well-stocked! A little seaside tour 🏝️, of course, that's what everyone dreams of. The Grand Raid of Camargue, The Marinade, or the Collioure Trail will immerse you in extraordinary marine landscapes 🌊. Several routes also offer paths passing through the soft southern sand! 🏖️ The Whale in Race is a great example, even if the name is quirky 😂. Other trails like The Winter Templiers, The Epicurienne, the Black Mountain Trail, or the Luchon Aneto Trail are waiting for you to feast your eyes while your thighs do the work 😉! Want to test your limits? The Ultra-trails in Occitanie are there, like the Tarn Valley Trail, the Festival of the Templiers, or also the Grand Raid of the Pyrenees and they will indeed challenge you! 🦾 With a place in the UTMB world circuit⭐️, come test yourself on the Veni Vici, a race that will take you truly back in time 🤺. Otherwise, for a city tour 🌆, there are also options: the Nîmes Urban Trail or the Urban Race Narbonne!

Well with all this, we'll let you have a look at the trail race calendar in Occitanie below... and happy running! 👟

*hello in Occitan.