Forez Trails 2027

Do you remember your first time cycling, your first run or your first trail? Then you’ll definitely remember your first edition of the Forez Trails. 

In fact, we can assure you that the splendid scenery of the region won’t leave you indifferent 😎. Between hills and Forez (forests) 🌲 lies Augerolles, a small commune waiting for you for a big event 👌. You will, however, need to prepare diligently for the month of March and head to Puy-de-Dôme, with an Auvergne vibe guaranteed! Around here it’s impressive: you’ll dive into the Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park and a Natura 2000 area. Grab your best sunglasses (yes, there will still be some ☀️), you’re going to feast your eyes! 🕶️

Whether you’re more the "I just want to discover trail running" type or rather "I’m looking to hurt for hours to test my endurance", there’s definitely a route made for you 🫵. Four timed distances are on the program ⏱️, all doable solo or as a duo (except the shortest, reserved for solos). The idea? Show you the most beautiful spots in the Forez while running 🏃, sweating 🥵, climbing 🧗, and probably asking yourself 472 times why you’re doing this… Before realizing at the top that that’s exactly why you came! ⛰️ Okay, enough suspense—here are the four routes. "La Faye" is the discovery option: 12 km and 396 mD+, ideal for Sunday runners (literally) who want to taste the joys of trail running without wrecking their legs too much 🦵. "L’Olmetoise" (and not omelette-oise 🥚) offers a route of almost 25 km, with 954 mD+; it’s serious but still manageable in principle! 🙃 "L’Augerolloise" is the intermediate format in all its glory: 34 km and 1,100 mD+, pretty tough but technically you’ll arrive before nightfall! 🌙 And to finish, the final boss, the monster, the one that makes your family look at you funny when you announce you’ve registered: "Le FOC"! More than 51 km and 1,910 mD+ for the craziest ones (we’re 100% behind you—go for it)! 🚀

A hike of 12 km is also offered for those who prefer to enjoy the scenery 🏞️, without a stopwatch and without an early wake-up ⏰. Yes, the start is open during the morning—if that’s not all upside, what is! 🥾 The routes will take you along forest paths and alongside streams like the Faye River (on footbridges and bridges 🌁, we promise you won’t get your feet wet 💦). With its viewpoints, its meadows 🐮 and its villages hidden behind the hills, you’ll understand why this region attracts so many lovers of nature! The famous Château de la Faye 🏰 will be a key passage 🔑 for several races. A place steeped in history that will give you a good excuse to catch your breath for two seconds (well, if your time allows it 😉). The routes are fully marked, so normally, if you get lost, you’ll need to book a quick visit to the eye doctor! 👀 And with the course openers, marshals and sweepers keeping watch, you’ll never really be alone on the trails! 🧭 What’s more, the event brings together the various local village associations who will be involved on site 🙌. As the race is committed to a good cause, this charity event donates €1 per bib to research against Horton’s disease 💜.

Once you’ve crossed the finish line 🏁 (and after getting at least some oxygen back into your lungs 🫁) you’ll be able to fully enjoy Auvergne and its generous gastronomy. After your quadriceps, it’s your stomach’s turn to go full throttle! 😋 Among the local specialties, there’s Fourme d’Ambert 🧀 produced between 600 m and 1,600 m of altitude, or wild blueberries (even better in a tart) 🫐. Of course, you’ll find even more traditional products in the local shops and restaurants 🍽️—we’ll leave you the art of discovering them yourself! If after all that, you still have the time and the desire to move, we have a few final recommendations for you. Go for a stroll 10–15 minutes from Augerolles, to Château d’Aulteribe 🏰, or to Ambert, to the Richard de Bas paper mill. If you want to discover the region’s heritage, head to the Thiers cutlery workshop, established since 1946 🔪. Roger-Quilliot Museum of Art in Clermont Ferrand with collections ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century 🎨.

In the land of volcanoes 🌋 the only explosion we want to see is the one of your joy when you pass under the final arch! 👏