Trail du Petit Saint-Paulien 2026
- Next event : Sun, September 27, 2026Date confirmed
The event in a few words
It’s in the small municipality of Saint-Paul-le-Jeune, located in Ardèche, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region that we’ll meet up with you for the Trail du Petit Saint-Paulien 🤏. This village enjoys an original geographical position due to a geological fault separating limestone and sandstone soils, which gives this place a particular charm. You’ll sometimes pass through hamlets, which add variety to the scenery and each have their own specific features 😍. We’ll have time to tell you more in detail about the landscape that awaits you during this race! So first, let us introduce the event 👇.
During the month of September, when temperatures are milder, the late-summer warmth can heat up your arms and calves ☀️ for one last summer dance 💃. On the program, 3 distances: a 15 km, a 5 km, and a 5 km hike. Distances for every taste! 😁 Finisher or hiker, you’ll find the shoe distance that fits you! 👟 Note that the 5 km is open to people with reduced mobility in joëlettes. Elevation gain will also be part of the deal 📈. Nothing insurmountable, but enough to get you up high and enjoy the panorama! That’s also what we’re looking for in trail races... a challenge and a few climbs to delight our legs and our eyes! 🤩
Alright, it’s time to tell you about your routes and the incredible setting that awaits you for this exceptional trail! The paths you’ll take will let you discover the beauty of nature 🌳🐝, notably through wooded 🌲 trails, the waterfall 💧 and the hidden spots of Saint-Paul-le-Jeune. The geographical fault makes it possible to enjoy different types of terrain: you’ll run on limestone soils before crossing the village and reaching the pine woods on sandstone soils. There’s also a section through an old railway tunnel! 🚂 The race will finish where it started 📍: Place de la Gare 🚞, where a food truck 😋 will be waiting to reward you by offering delicious galettes... in case the hot dog isn’t enough! 😆 Like we said, it’s an exceptional, human-sized trail 🧍.
Once your race is over 🏁, don’t hesitate to stroll through the streets of Saint-Paul-le-Jeune 🧒 . Just a couple of strides away, you can also visit the Musée de la Mine Gagnières or take a trip to the Château de Banne 🏰. And if you still haven’t had your fill of amazing sights, you can always head out to discover Ardèche 🥰. This region is full of places to visit, including the must-see cave Chauvet Pont-d'Arc and its prehistoric masterpieces 🐾. If you’re in the mood for an excursion, we recommend the Ardèche gorges and their vertiginous cliffs ⛰️. As you can see, you’ll have plenty of activities to do on site. When it comes to gastronomy 🍽, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is rich in tasty specialties. Among them, we can recommend the famous Picodon (goat cheese 🧀), the well-known chestnuts 🌰 with cousina (chestnut soup), and Lou Pisadou (a dessert with chestnut cream 🤤). And if you’re keen to try something new, go for frog legs 🐸 .
Come and take part in the Trail du Petit Saint-Paulien to experience the race on a grand scale!
6 reasons to join this race
A word from the organizer:
"Saint-Paul-le-Jeune, made up of a main village and several hamlets, is a small old village in southern Ardèche located between the Monts d’Ardèche Regional Natural Park and the Cévennes National Park. On one side, we find white oaks, junipers, and olive trees that form vegetation characteristic of the Mediterranean climate. And on the other, maritime pines, chestnut trees, and strawberry trees which are typical of the Cévennes forest. These two types of vegetation are closely linked by trails that are as beautiful as they are pleasant. You’ve understood it: this municipality benefits from a very particular geographical position since it lies on a geological fault separating limestone and sandstone soils. This asset gives this village a unique character. In short: varied and unique landscapes in a small area."
A distance for every taste
15 kmTOP
5 km
- Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM
- Elevation gain : 400mD+
- 1 loopx15 km
A few more words
Your 15 km race starts in the village of Saint-Paul-le-Jeune as a loop.
You won’t stay long in this beautiful commune, as your first 5 kilometers take you into the countryside for a first section in nature. This first part has you running on limestone soils that resemble clay earth, which can cushion your strides 🏃♂️. If you like this beautiful setting, you won’t be disappointed with what comes next 😉.
You return to the commune of Saint-Paul-le-Jeune to set off again on the other side in the most wooded part of the route, once again in a loop that will bring you back to the village. It’s also on this terrain that you reach the pinewoods on sandstone soils, and your next 8 kilometers will be in the heart of the forest 🌲 with landscapes typical of Ardèche amid incredible flora 👀. You then head back into the village for a triumphant finish!
Well done on your route! 👏
- Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 10:30 AM
- Elevation gain : 100mD+
- 1 loopx5 km
A few more words
The trail of 5 km is open to all levels, and in particular to people with reduced mobility in joëlettes. No matter your level, this distance allows all kinds of people to take part in the event 😉.
The loop course starts in the heart of Saint-Paul-le-Jeune and takes you into the countryside overlooking the village. Your first kilometers take you straight into the nature section of your race. After crossing the legendary greenway tunnel, do you see the light at the end? That's normal—it's due to the slightly whitish color of the limestone trails you're about to tread 🏃♂️.
Once your shoes are nice and dusty, it's time to turn back and head back into the town via more classic paths. You return to your starting point to finish your race in style—congratulations on your beautiful route 👏.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The race is organized by the association "Union Sportive de Saint Paul le Jeune". This is the fourth edition in 2026.
The races will start from Place de la Gare on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in the municipality of Saint-Paul-le-Jeune (or at the community hall in case of bad weather):
For the 15 km: at 10:00 a.m.
For the 5 km for everyone: at 10:30 a.m.
For the "Rando du petit Saint-Paulien": from 10:30 a.m. and until 3:00 p.m. at the latest
You can pick up your bib on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Saint-Paul-le-Jeune train station, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
For the 5 km for everyone: registration is online until and including September 23, 2026 for a fee of €5, or on race day from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for a fee of €8
For the 15 km: registration is online until and including September 21, 2026 for a fee of €15, or on race day from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for a fee of €20
Registration for the hike is done on site and the price is pay-what-you-want. On site, payments are in cash or by cheque only.
Yes, an "on-site registration" booth will be available between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. in the start area. You can register there, subject to bib availability. 500 bibs are planned across the two races.
No, it is not mandatory; however, you will need to present a PPS certificate dated less than one year before the race date.
For the 5 km, the race is open from the Cadet category, i.e., runners born in 2011 or earlier
For the 15 km, the race is open from the Junior category, i.e., runners born in 2009 or earlier
For the 15 km: two refreshment stations will be provided on the course, one halfway and another at the finish
For the 5 km, only a refreshment station at the finish will be provided
We recommend that you bring something to drink and eat along the course.
You can park around the square and in the village, or near the Stadium, which can serve as a huge parking lot!
A barbecue with hot dogs and a local beer will be waiting for you at the finish. The organizers will set up a refreshment stand with local fruit juices and draft craft beer.
Yes, the cut-off time is set at 1:00 p.m. for the 5 km and 10 km races, and at 3:00 p.m. for the Rando du petit Saint-Paulien".
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