Trail de Brénod 2026
- Next event : Sun, June 28, 2026Date confirmed
- Last event : Sun, June 29, 2025
The event in a few words
Another great opportunity to wear the colors of trail! 🕺 The second edition of the Trail de Brénod is waiting for you to kick off! Brénod is a lovely commune in Ain, at an altitude of 900m in the heart of the Jura mountains in Haut-Bugey! ⛰️ The Ski Club Brénod Corcelles combines the efforts of cross-country skiing in winter and trail running in summer! You're on this beautiful mid-mountain plateau, and you're just waiting to scramble like a child! 👧
To fulfill your wishes, the Trail de Brénod offers six trail races. First, there's the 42 km called "The Maratrail des 3 Clochers", with 1,500 mD+, doable solo or in pairs 👯. This course connects the plateau's three emblematic villages with a 360 view of it 👁️. Then, the 24 km "We Climb the Ridges", 1,000 mD+ over four often sometimes steep ridges, and most importantly, breathtaking views of the plateau! 👀 The 16 km "We Climb Monthoux" offers views towards Roche Samuel and Jorat with its 500m D+. For Sunday sprinters, the 8 km "We Climb Versoud" is perfect to experience the trail spirit without too much extravagance! 🙌. Let's not forget our favorite cool kids who can compete in a 3 km race, "We Climb Santoux". For the even younger ones, there's a 1.5 km "Monthoux kids" format! 🏃♀️ Note: the 42 km course is UTMB Qualifier 50K, and both the 24 km and 16 km are UTMB Qualifier 20K, a ticket to major global events! 🎟️
The start will be at the village square of Brénod, it's bound to be lively, not deserted at all! 👯♂️ Early in the morning, the refreshment stands (fries, sausages, merguez...) will welcome you with open arms, with guaranteed friendly atmosphere! After exertion, you can enjoy the local cheese factory to refill your Comté stock and stay on the Plateau de Retord, because plenty of activities await you! 🤠 You can explore on foot or by mountain bike, make a detour to the biathlon stadium in Plans d’Hotonnes, or visit the chapel of Retord, to give this place a soul! In short, if you want to challenge yourself (but not too much), push your limits, and finish your race with plenty of memories, the Brénod Trail is your thing 🧚♀️.
Good luck, comrade! 🙋♀️
4 reasons to join this race
A distance for every taste
42 kmTOP
24 km
16 km
10 km
8 km
3 km
Kids
- Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 7:30 AM
- Elevation gain : 1500mD+
A few more words
Ready to set off on a trail of 42 km? The Maratrail of the 3 Bell Towers promises an adventure beyond the ordinary in Ain 😍. Starting from the church of Brénod, you'll climb towards the Grange Ballet heading for the ridges of Roche Tournery ⛰️. You'll have access to a panoramic view of Brénod and even Mont-Blanc ❄️. Then you'll run to the pastures of Corcelles before descending towards the church of Corcelles before joining Champdor and its pond. A refreshment station awaits you at the Champdor castle 🏰. Next, you'll climb the Col de Cuvillat to find the 24 km route towards the Moraz ridges. A refreshment station will be waiting for you at the Jorat, with the local squad creating the atmosphere to boost your spirits 💥. Then you head to the hamlet of Macconod, then Monthoux 📍. Marcel's rope can help you reach the peak, but don't worry, everything will go smoothly 🧘. Then it's just a descent, and you've arrived! Congratulations, champion 🏆.
42 km : Maratrail of the 3 bell towers relay 2
Trail- Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 7:30 AM
- Elevation gain : 1500mD+
24 km : We Climb the Ridges
Trail- Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 9:00 AM
- Elevation gain : 1000mD+
A few more words
The start of the trail of 24 km is from the Village Square of Brénod 🧏♀️. After a start similar to the other 3 trails, you will pass by the Crêt Naillot waterfall 🧗♀️. Then, you'll head to the foot of the Draye de Fontaine Blanche. This climb might make your legs feel the burn! Afterwards, the single trails along the cliffs will lead you to La Roche Samuel. Once you've reached the top, we hope the view of the Monthoux and the Brénod plateau gives you some relief! 😵 The second stage of the course takes you to the ruins of Florence, then the ridges of La Moraz. At Jorat, a refreshment awaits you. For more ridges, head towards those of the hamlet of Maconnod! It's now time to descend to the village, watch your knees, it's a bit technical! 🦵
A bit of flat terrain for the last few kilometers and especially before reaching Marcel's rope, which will surely help you reach the summit. A little descent to Brénod before enjoying the finish line! 💪
16 km : We Climb the Monthoux
Trail- Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 9:45 AM
- Elevation gain : 500mD+
A few more words
The Chemin de l’Âne will get your legs warmed up before the climb of Crête Naillot and its waterfall. Then, single tracks on varied terrains will lead you to the refreshment station at Jorat. From this hamlet, you'll join the ridge trail route (24km). Next, you'll reach the ridges overlooking the hamlet of Maconnod. Then the path along the cliff of this former quarry will offer you a view of the entire course: the Roche Samuel, Jorat, and Monthoux in front of you and the Plateau de Retord, the Grand Colombier behind you! After a slightly technical descent, you'll arrive at the hamlet of Maconnod. The final path is the same as for the 24 km trail! 💁♀️
16 km : Monthoux Hike
Walking
10 km : Hike of the Versoud
Walking
8 km : We Go Up the Versoud
Trail- Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 10:30 AM
- Elevation gain : 220mD+
A few more words
You start on the Donkey Path, before tackling the climb to Crêt Naillot and its waterfall. At the Muche bench, you turn left towards l’Aréta. Then, head for the path of the 3 waterfalls. Upon reaching the cliff, on your right, a forest single track awaits you. At 4.8 km, you emerge onto the Saw Path, a rolling but demanding section. All routes converge there. The finish is near, but you still have a small climb under the cross and reservoir to gain a bit of altitude… and finally see the finish line! 💪
3 km : We climb the Santoux
Trail- Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM
- Elevation gain : 120mD+
Races for children / juniors 👶
The "Monthoux Kids" is a race for children of 1.5 km starting at 2:30 PM. Children born between 2014 and 2019 are welcome to participate in this format 👧.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
All starts will take place in the Village Square of Brénod:
7:30 AM: start of the 42km, Maratrail des 3 clochers, solo and relay
9:00 AM: start of the 24km, Climbing the Ridges.
9:45 AM: start of the 16km, Climbing Monthoux
10:30 AM: start of the 8km, Climbing Versoud.
2:00 PM: start of the 3km, Climbing Sautoux
2:15 PM: start of the 1.5 km, Monthoux Kids
From 10 AM, refreshments, meals, entertainment, trail village.
You can collect your race bib on:
Saturday, June 27, 2026 (details to follow)
Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the Village Square in Brénod starting from 6:15 AM.
For youth races (Sautoux and Monthoux Kid), additional registrations from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.
Yes, here they are:
42 km: 2006 and before
24 km: 2006 and before
16 km: 2008 and before
8 km: 2010 and before
3 km: 2011 to 2014 (timed race without ranking)
1.5 km: 2015 to 2020 (non-timed race without ranking)
Every participant must provide a copy:
of a valid FFA license on the race date;
or of a valid sports license on the race date, issued by an accredited federation, indicating no contraindication to competitive athletics or running
or an attestation (paper, electronic, or QR code type) indicating that you completed the Health Prevention Program (PPS) set up by the FFA, via its dedicated platform. To be valid, the PPS must have been conducted no more than 3 months before the event date (after March 30, 2024).
Minors must present parental authorization.
Required for all adult races:
a cup
a water reserve containing at least 500 ml
a whistle
a fully charged mobile phone
poles are allowed in all events except youth races
2026 Rates to be announced
Children's races: €5
The Trail Brénod Haut Bugey is a partially self-sufficient event. Refreshment zones are planned on the 42, 24 km, and 16 km courses. Note, the removal of refreshment points from 12 PM at Hameau le Jorat, and 1:30 PM at Hameau de Maconnod.
Maratrail of the 3 clochers 42 km: 10:15 AM at Champdor and 2:00 PM at Hameau de Maconnod.
Trail "Climbing the Ridges" 24 km: 12:30 PM at Hameau de Maconnod.
Focus
More info on this race
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