Trail des Forts de Besançon 2027

The 42 km route, shorter but just as rooted in nature 🌿 as its 72 km counterpart, presents exciting challenges, including crossing several forts. Although it generally avoids the loop along the Doubs, this "Maratrail des Forts" offers picturesque panoramas from Montfaucon hill, including a crossing through the medieval castle, as well as numerous viewpoints 👀 over the citadel and the city of Besançon. That's no less than 1,400 m D+ with three food and drink aid stations, plus a snack waiting for you at the finish 😋.

The program includes crossing the famous Citadel, with its dizzying passage offering a breathtaking view of the finish line 🏁, as well as crossing a few forts dating from the 18th and 19th centuries that were used to protect the Vauban city.

The race is limited to 1,300 runners.

Aid stations (no cups will be provided at the aid stations): 🥤

• km 9.5: Chalèze (solids and liquids)
• km 20: Gennes (solids and liquids)
• km 29: Montfaucon (liquids)
• km 37: Chemin de la Bro (solids and liquids)
• + finish line aid station

Cut-off times: ⏰

• km 20: Gennes at 2:15 PM
• km 39.5: Citadel – Carrefour des 3 Châtels at 6:30 PM (Citadel gates close at 6:45 PM)

The "shock" weekend 💥! You'll take on the 22 km on Saturday at 9 a.m., the 5.4 km night time trial on Saturday evening starting at 9 p.m., then the 11 km on Sunday at 9:45 a.m., for a total of 38 km and 1,210 m D+. The ranking is based on the cumulative time of the 3 events. Prizes are awarded to the top 3 men and the top 3 women, and these awards can be combined with those of each race 🏆.

⚠️ Event reserved for those over 18. Limited spots.

The 22 km route of the Trail des Forts offers an experience in the heart of nature 🍃 before the final crossing of the Citadel. Whatever pace you choose, it offers either a pleasant escape of relaxed hike-and-run 😌, or an intense and demanding race. This route is characterized by its natural beauty and its positive elevation gain of 700 m.

On the program, you will have the opportunity to cross the famous Citadel, via a dizzying route with a panoramic view of the finish. The route will also take you through the Bregille hill 🦅, the Malate footbridge and the town of Morre, offering a true outdoor walking experience.

Aid stations (no cups will be provided at the aid stations): 🥤

• km 5: Bregille (solid and liquid)
• km 16.5: Chemin de la Bro (solid and liquid)
• + finish line aid station

Cut-off times ⏰ :

• 10.5 km: Malate footbridge at 11:30 am

Two is stronger than one! 👯 This 17 km course with 700 m D+ can be tackled only as a pair. It offers an escape along the quays beside the Doubs 💦 before climbing up to Fort de Chaudanne and then Rosemont, finishing with a crossing of the famous Citadelle and its dizzying passage with a view over the finish 🏁. A mix of urban and technical trail sections to share as a duo!

⚠️ Both runners must always stay together: they must never be more than 20 seconds apart and must cross the finish line together, or they will be disqualified. The time is taken from the first of the two to cross the start line and the last of the two to cross the finish line. Several checkpoints are planned along the course. The event is limited to 350 runners.

Aid stations (no cups will be provided at the aid stations): 🥤

• km 5: Chaudanne (solid and liquid)
• km 11: Velotte (solid and liquid)
• + finish aid station

Cut-off times: ⏰

• km 14.7: Citadelle – Carrefour des 3 Châtels at 12:00 (Citadelle gates close at 12:15)

An ideal format to discover the city like you've never seen it before 👀! This 11 km course with 360 m D+ follows the route of the 11 km trail, with a loop along the banks of the Doubs and two hills, before crossing the famous Citadel and its dizzying passage with a view of the finish 🏁. The hike is not timed and does not require any medical certificate. A gift is provided for all participants 🎁.

Aid stations (no cups will be provided at the aid stations): 🥤

km 5 : Fort de Chaudanne (solid and liquid) finish aid station

Cut-off times: ⏰

km 7.5: Mazagran footbridge at 6:15 pm

⚠️ Poles and dogs are not allowed. The event is limited to 400 walkers, aged 12 and over.

We're offering you a high-energy format! ⚡️ A night time trial of 5.4 km and 150 m D+, 100% urban 🏙️: climb up to the Citadel via Tarragnoz, run along the Queen's and King's ramparts, then head back via Rivotte. The start is done in the style of the Tour de France 🚴: from 9 pm to 9:45 pm, in groups of 3 runners every 15 seconds, then from 9:45 pm to 10 pm, in individual starts every 20 seconds, reserved for the top 10 men and top 10 women of the 22 km.

You can enjoy entertainment along the course, with the grand finale being the passage over the two ramparts of the Citadel 🎶. Thrills guaranteed! This event is the second stage of the "3-Event Challenge".

⚠️ Headlamp mandatory, road shoes recommended. Limited spots: 250 runners for the 3-event Challenge and 200 runners for registration to the time trial only.

Whether you're a companion, visitor or runner, come discover Besançon from a whole new angle 🗺️! This guided walk with commentary covers 8 km with 250 m D+ (approximately 2.5 to 3 hours) and is led by Alexandre Cailler, a professional tour guide. Starting from the village, you'll pass through the river tunnel, then climb to the top of the hill to go around the Chaudanne fort and visit its underground passage, before heading back down to the finish. A hearty local snack awaits you at the finish 😋.

⚠️ Walking or running shoes, a cup and a headlamp (or flashlight) are mandatory. Limited to 30 participants, aged 12 and over. No bib: wristbands are handed out by the guide at the start, so please arrive about 30 minutes early. Registration will be available in January 2027.

A second guided walk of 6 km and 250 m D+ (approximately 2.5 to 3 hours), led by Alexandre Cailler 🧭. Starting from the village, you will climb up the funicular path, pass by the Beauregard fort, then climb up to the Bregille fort (19th century) to walk around it, before heading back down via the Prés de Vaux. Mâchon (traditional hearty snack) at the finish 😋.

⚠️ Walking or running shoes and a cup are mandatory. Limited to 30 participants, from 12 years old. No bib: wristbands will be handed out at the start, so please show up about 30 minutes beforehand. Registration will be available in January 2027.

The organizers have thought of every type of runner, with more than 5 races on offer 🫨, but also of all age groups.

The children's starts will be staggered as follows, with distances adapted to each age class:

• For the U16 (2012-2013) category, the start is given at 2:55 p.m. at the latest for a course of up to 4.5 km 🚀.
• For the U14 (2014-2015) category, the start is given at 2:35 p.m. at the latest for a course of up to 3 km 🏎️.
• For the U12 (2016-2017) category, the start is given at 2:20 p.m. at the latest for a course of 1.5 km ✈️.
• For the U10 category (2018-2019-2020), a course of up to 850 m 💥.
• For the Baby Athletics category (2021-2022), the start is given at 1:30 p.m. for a course of up to 400 m 💣.

And as the organizers remind us: here there are no rankings or timing, discovering the sport takes priority over competition 🤪.

🏁 Refreshments at the finish and a finisher medal.

⚠️ Only children in the baby athletics category may be accompanied by a parent at the start line and during the race.