For this new edition of the Trail in Côte-Rôtie, we take you to visit the vineyards 🍇 of one of the most exceptional crus of our heritage: the Côte-Rôtie from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region 🇫🇷.
But before tasting in the literal sense 😋, you'll do so in the figurative sense, as you'll need to overcome the inclines 📈 of the surrounding vineyards under the beautiful colors of autumn 🍂 in October. For this, you have the choice of several routes specially designed according to your capabilities 😌. On the menu: 3 trails of 13 km, 25 km, and 46 km as well as 2 hikes of approximately 10 km and 15 km. We hope you like challenges, because the organization offers the "Challenge of La Grimpée de la Brocarde": a tough climb present on all distances. On this segment, you will be timed, and the best time per category will be rewarded! 🏅 Additionally, the organizers have thought of some fun for the less experienced. Children/juniors 👶 can also try their hand at competition in one of the 4 races planned just for them! So whether small or big, beginner or expert, everyone will find something for themselves, and it's almost as satisfying as drinking a good glass of wine! 🍷
So let yourself be carried away on one of the 5 routes planned for you departing from Ampuis to have the chance to zigzag between the Syrah grape variety plots and discover the two slopes of the appellation: The Côte Brune 🖤 and The Côte Blonde 💛. The story goes that Lord Maugiron 👑 divided his estate between his two daughters, one blonde and the other brunette. No jealousy there! Will you be able to tell them apart when you taste them? 🤔 Yes, because you will then be able to organize cellar visits in the area to discover the local treasures through tastings offered by the winemakers 🤤. To be consumed in moderation, of course! Or at least, with a full stomach 🤰🏻. And on that note, it turns out the organizers thought of everything, with an exhibitor village where you'll find food trucks 🚚 for dining throughout the day 🍽. At the end of the physical and gastronomic challenges, maybe you'll have time to take a tour in Vienne, the neighboring town, and enjoy its unique Gallic-Roman heritage ⚔️.
Therefore, these races are a chance to expend energy in an unusual setting 🌿 while offering fun, gastronomic, cultural, and exciting activities throughout the weekend 🥰. You can crown your efforts with a wine rewarded multiple times and over 2,000 years old 😮. Don't like wine? That's okay! You'll surely enjoy visiting one of the region's historical monuments, from the Saint-Baudille church in Ampuis ⛪️, which holds the relics of the vignerons' patron saint, to the Saint-Pierre Museum 🖼️ in Vienne, "the city of Art and History". And if you like the atmosphere, you can always come back in January to visit the Ampuis wine market! 🏪
So, what are you waiting for? Come wine, expend, excel, and taste! 🎉
With its 46 km and its 2,500 m D+, “The AOC” is the standout of the competition 🙌. Bring your headlamp, as this trail will start at 2 PM at the Château d’Ampuis (starting point for all races 🏰) and will likely end at dusk. But it's worth the effort because you can admire the landscapes of the Rhône department and its wild beauty 🌲 as well as a stunning sunset 🌅.
Come split the queen distance 👸 in half to make it more accessible. You just have to choose your distance of 24 km or 21 km with your running partner! Among colleagues, friends, or with your significant other, you can come share and discover a magical landscape 🧙 on this race with a total length of 45 km.
Same course as the AOC solo but you can share this effort with your running partner 🏃. More fun, more motivation, and more achievement, running with 2 is better! 😉
If you like ascents and descents, then the trail "The Brunette and Blonde" of 25 km is for you! This course, which includes 1,200 mD+, will have you zigzagging between lands and vineyards, up and down and down and up 🍇. Just enough to keep you from cooling down while waiting for the evening! Indeed, with the start scheduled at 4:30 p.m., you won't have much time to enjoy the sunlight and warmth. You will still have time to cross the two slopes of the vineyard: The Brunette Slope 🌑 and The Blonde Slope 🌕. Finally, you might have the chance to watch a sunset from the top of the vineyard 🥰.
If you are a more reserved trail runner but absolutely do not want to miss the event, you can compete in "The Vertical" 📈. However, with its 600 m of elevation, the race lives up to its name. But hang in there, because your efforts will be well rewarded! This 13 km competition will also start from the historical castle of the village and take you up to a breathtaking view of the Pilat and Ampuis 👀.
The trail in Côte-Rôtie also offers races for the Little Ones 👶:
The races are open to children born:
Between 01/01/2008 and 12/31/2011 for the 2 km children's race
Between 01/01/2012 and 12/31/2013 for the 1.5 km children's race
Between 01/01/2014 and 12/31/2015 for the 1 km children's race
Between 01/01/2016 and 12/31/2018 for the 500 m children's race
Bib collection will take place on the day of the race from 1pm at the Salle des Fêtes, 1 boulevard des Allées in Ampuis.
Race starts will take place on Avenue du Château in Ampuis on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
The AOC (46 km trail): the start will be at 2pm
The AOC Relay, 46km relay trail with 2500m elevation in teams of 2, start at 3pm
La Brune et Blonde (25 km trail): the start will be at 4:30pm
The Verticale (13 km trail): the start will be at 6pm
The Vendangettes (10 and 15 km hikes): the start will be between 9am and 12pm
Les Millésimes (children's races): starts will be based on age, between 4:45pm and 5:30pm
Participants must be born:
before 12/31/2006 for the 46km trails
before 12/31/2006 for the 25km trail
before 12/31/2008 for the 13km trail
between 01/01/2009 and 12/31/2012 for the 2km children's race
between 01/01/2013 and 12/31/2014 for the 1.5km children's race
between 01/01/2015 and 12/31/2016 for the 1km children's race
between 01/01/2017 and 12/31/2019 for the 500m children's race
the hikes are open to everyone
The maximum cut-off times are as follows:
46 km: 6:30pm at the feed station around km 22, 7:30pm around km 28, and finally 9:30pm at the feed station around km 36
25 km: 7pm at the feed station around km 12 and 8pm at the feed station around km 18
13 km: 7:30pm at the feed station around km 6
For all trails:
A charged phone
A survival blanket
A headlamp
A reusable cup or container as there are no disposable cups at the feed stations
Equipment may be checked and its absence will result in disqualification.
Poles (telescopic or not) are allowed after the first kilometer.
Here are the fees:
€46 for the 46 km trail
€30 per person for the 46km relay trail
€26 for the 25 km trail
€16 for the 13 km trail
€7 for hikes (free for under 15s)
Children's races are free
The 3 trails are semi self-sufficient, meaning runners must carry their own solid and liquid supplies as needed.
A solid and liquid feed station will be set up around km 6 for the 13km race
A solid and liquid feed station will be set up around km 12 and a liquid point at km 18 for the 25km race
A solid and liquid feed station will be set up around km 13, 22, and 36 as well as a liquid point at km 28 for the 46km race
Participation in one of the 3 trails requires mandatory presentation of:
Either an Athlé Compétition, Athlé Entreprise, Athlé Running license or a Pass’ j’aime courir, issued by the FFA, valid on the date of the event;
Or a valid sports license issued by a federation that is only approved, indicating, in any way, the contraindication for competitive Athletics or running;
Or an electronic certificate number indicating that the person has completed the Health Prevention Pathway (PPS). To be valid, the PPS must have been done at most 3 months before the event date.
Ranking for the 3 trails:
Top 3 men and top 3 women overall
first man or woman representing each category according to the FFA reference (without cumulative ranking)
first men's/women's/mixed teams for the 46km duo or 2-person relay
the first man / woman achieving the best time on the timed climb
Awards for the 3 trails:
a souvenir for all participants
local products and partner prizes for the winners of the various rankings
a special reward for the most represented club or association
A souvenir gift will be distributed to all participants.
At the exhibitor village, there will be food trucks available for dining all day.
Unfortunately, the courses are not accessible for para-athletes.
You can contact the organizers by email: trailencoterotie@ampuis.com
You can access the list of participants by clicking here.
You can check the race rules here
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