Races in the Hautes-Alpes

Welcome to the Hautes-Alpes! Surrounded by Savoie, Isère, Drôme and the Alpes-de-Hautes-Provence, the department offers you the chance to perfect your tan, summer and winter alike, thanks to exceptional sunshine throughout the year.

The typical villages are surrounded by stunning landscapes that form a setting for picturesque architecture. Gap and Briançon are of course the main starting points for exploring the department's jewels. Must-sees on your exploration include La Grave, nestled at 1,450 m, Saint-Véran, the highest village in Europe at 2040 m (and yes, it's in France 😎), or the Place Forte Mont-Dauphin Vauban, a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you have the courage, don't hesitate to link these 3 high places of local tourism on foot! Yes, unsurprisingly, it will be challenging (lots of elevation changes 🤣), but you’ll cross the department from north to south, ideal for not missing out on any of the local treasures like the Fort Boyard Queyras, the Anibal Rock Lecter, the Petrifying Fountain (gives serious Harry Potter vibes) in Réotier, the Tower of Brune (which is totally worth the fuss) in Embrun, the Abbey of Boscodon, or the Chapel of Sixtine in Clausis. Are you passionate about history and particularly curious about ancient traditions? You're in the right place; the department has no less than 400 sundials (simply the record in France 🥇), waiting for you to discover them on beautiful running outings 🤗.

It's written: your stay in the Hautes-Alpes will be packed with color. Nature lovers can choose from 6,800 km of marked trails. And if you're skilled at the "pole planting" technique, you can also gain altitude at Serre-Chevalier, near La Meije, Vars La Maison Forêt Blanche, or at Montgenèvre (the oldest French ski resort 👵). The trail enthusiast in you will find plenty of challenging terrains at key locations for Running! The Écrins National Park (you might encounter chamois, ibexes, and golden eagles), the Serre-Ponçon Lake and its wildlife park, the Méouge Gorges, and the Demoiselles Coiffées are incredible places (and frankly, we mean it). Some running routes in the Hautes-Alpes are also near the Grand Tour des Écrins, La Clarée or the Queyras Natural Park (where you'll alternate between forests, lakes, and gorges), ideal for escaping the rest of the world since only 2,300 people live there year-round. Want to try Nordic walking in the Hautes-Alpes? Then let yourself be tempted by the Baronnies Provençales Regional Natural Park, the Grande Tête de l’Obiou, or the mythical Lautaret and Izoard passes from the Tour de France. Your thighs will burn! But wait, it’s not over yet 🤣. If you’re still full of energy, take the Napoleon Route, which at 314 km is one of the most beautiful roads in France! You will certainly stumble upon the fantastic Tallard Castle, and to regain your strength, just reach out and grab apples and pears along the way — tempting, isn’t it? For a bit more flat terrain, (after all, you're still at altitude) stretch your gorgeous strides along the Durance (the largest river in Provence), the scenery is wonderful! After all this training, will you be ready to participate in the local races?

Races in the Hautes-Alpes are quite numerous. The calendar is notably driven by the Trail de la Meije, Trail des Balcons de Châteauvieux, the Serre Che Trail, Gapen'cimes, the Grand Trail des Écrins, or the Vars Mountain Trail. Elevation and breathtaking scenery as far as the eye can see — that's the program! If you want to mix it up with other thrills, just ask! The mountainous terrain of the Hautes-Alpes allows for a wide range of outdoor sports: climbing, via ferrata, water sports around the lakes, cycling, mountain biking, hiking,

winter sports… The perfect complement to a great run.

At sunset, sit at a table in Gap or Briançon and discover local specialties: the Champsaur tourton (a pastry stuffed with puree), donkey ears, wild spinach lasagna, and the famous honey desserts.

Dare to tell us you're not Gap-ing to come?