The Grand Raid of Réunion 2026

Created in 1989, I cross the island of Réunion over 180 km, and I am known for my extreme difficulty 🥵. I am, I am, I am...?

"The Grand Raid of Réunion!" ☝️

Bingo! ✅

Every October, this piece of paradise in the heart of the Indian Ocean welcomes you for THE trail event of the Overseas Territories: The Grand Raid, also known as La Diagonale des Fous 🤪. This historic race lives up to its name as it features dizzying distances, impressive elevation gains, and ultra-technical trails 😵‍💫. No less than five trails are offered, ranging from complicated to very, very, very complicated 😬. Ready to discover one of the world's toughest races? 🇷🇪

The most accessible course is the Metis Trail: 51 km and 2,500 mD+ in the jungle and humidity of Réunion 🦜. Its route starts from the West heading towards Ilet Savannah, Chemin Ratinaud, La Possession, the Colorado and finally the famous La Redoute stadium where all the races finish 🏟️. Yes, yes, it's the most accessible distance 😅. We continue with La Mascareignes, extending 74 km and 3,800 mD+ 📈. After departing from the Salazie cirque, you'll head towards the Plaine des Merles, the Rivière des Galets, or the Belvédère de la Vigie, before finding relief at the La Redoute stadium 😮‍💨. The Bourbon trail is (a bit) longer with its 106 km and 6,200 mD+ and goes through Marla, the Plaine des Merles, the Scout trail, the Cedar Plateau before reaching the Maïdo, perched at 2,190 m altitude 🌄. This summit offers breathtaking views, especially over Mafate and the island’s west coast with its dream beaches and its unique lagoon protected by the coral reef 🪸. It's not for nothing that it's nicknamed "the balcony of Réunion" 😌. You then continue on the Ratinaud path and cross the Grande Chaloup 😍.

But the real star of the event is, of course, the Diagonale des Fous: 180 km, 10,200 mD+ and several dropouts in its history... But don't worry, with all the great advice concocted by the Grand Raid teams, you'll definitely be among the finishers! 🙏 Usually, the route is 175 km, so this edition marks the longest distance in the history of this race 😮. Note to regulars: the route no longer passes through Cilaos, one of the iconic segments 👁️. Nevertheless, the 3,000 or so runners crazy ones will still start from Ravine-Blanche in Saint-Pierre, to the applause of thousands of spectators 👏. Enjoy the first few flat kilometers, as they will be the last for a loooooong time 😵‍💫. First checkpoint: Domaine Vidot 😋. You will then proceed towards Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix, then to Nez-de-Bœuf, before crossing the Plaine-des-Cafres 🌱. From the Kerveguen plateau, the route changes 🤓. You will pass through Cap Anglais until you reach Hell-Bourg, the Plaine des Merles, then Ilet à Bourse and Grand Place before climbing to the daunting Maïdo 😈. The rest of the route has not changed! 😇 It continues on the Ratinaud-Kalla path, La Possession, La Grande-Chaloupe, the Chemin des Anglais and the Colorado to reach the finish line, at the stadium amidst an absolutely crazy atmosphere 🥳. If you cross this line, know that you are entering history by inscribing your name alongside athletes like Mathieu Blanchard, Baptiste Chassagne, Courtney Dauwalter, Ludovic Pommeret, or Blandine l'Hirondel 💪. If you plan to participate in this event with others, the Zembrocal Trail relay allows you to register as a team of 4 and share the kilometers (wise idea 😅). However, it's impossible to skip the dreaded lottery... So many enthusiasts want to participate in this race that the organizers have no choice but to limit the entries and draw by lot the lucky ones 🍀. You'll have to touch a lot of wood during your forest training 😂.

Don't worry, whichever trail you choose, you'll get to see the jewels of nature. Too many cirques spoil the cirque? 🎪 Not on Réunion Island apparently, as you will have them on the itinerary, like the Cirque du Soleil Cirque de Mafate nicknamed by some athletes as "the hell of Mafate" as its difficulty matches its beauty 🤩. Only accessible on foot (we understand why it was the refuge for runaway slaves at the time), mountains of unimaginable shapes are omnipresent, as are ravines, waterfalls and forests, a true feast for the eyes 👀. So yes, you will be amazed during your race but you must not lose the main objective: FINISH! 😫 And even if you need to run backwards or crawl: DO IT! 💥 At worst, you'll get killcammed by Clemquicourt, making it a good story to tell 🎥. Between passages in the jungle, steep trails, dense vegetation, ascents and otherworldly elevation gain, many challenges will stand before you 🗿. But bursts of motivation will provide the necessary pride boost during aid stations and passages in towns and villages where the locals live for three days to the rhythm of the Grand Raid trail 🫂. And that's why your arrival at the La Redoute Stadium (named after the battle of La Redoute and not your sock supplier 🧦) will be filled with emotions, cheers, and cramps 🏃‍♂️. What unique moments to experience, and it's clear why many runners believe it's necessary to participate at least once to understand and feel these extraordinary sensations! 🥺

After your race, you can enjoy these unforgettable moments with many locals or visitors from all over the world 🌍. But the Island also boasts other magnificent scenic sites that you may not have time to see on your route; you can take a short hike around the Piton de la Fournaise if your legs aren't on fire 🔥. And if it's ultimately too hard on the legs, you can satisfy your taste buds with the flavors of the island: green papaya salad for the starter, smoked fish for your dish, and sweet potato cake accompanied by Bourbon coffee for dessert 🥮. Go ahead, you can allow yourself a small glass of rum punch, you've earned it and the place is perfect for it! 🍹

So do it like Marcelle Puy, a child of Réunion and five-time winner of the Grand Raid, and don't hesitate any longer to sign up! 🫡