Trail of the Coast of Light 2027
- Next event : 27 Sat ➜ February 28, 2027Date confirmed
- Last event : 7 Sat ➜ March 8, 2026
The event in a few words
With a name like that, the weather is politely asked to shed some light for us 🔦.
The Trail of the Coast of Light sets up in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, on the coastline of Vendée, in Pays de la Loire, straddling late February and early March 🌊. At that time, the Atlantic serves up its moods without warning: sunny spells, showers, an ocean breeze—sometimes the full menu before breakfast 🌦️. An outfit that can take the squalls and a smile that can take the rest settles the matter 😄.
The scene is set in the state forest of the Pays de Monts, around the Stade de la Forêt 🍃. This nature race links forest tracks, sandy sections and coastal paths, between sea, forest and marshland 🏖️. Profile-wise, the 24 km Trail totals 400 mD+, the 16 km with 200 mD+ and the 8 km with 100 mD+: no summit to climb, but plenty of pick-ups that test the thighs ⛰️. The sand does the rest: it turns every false flat into a leg-breaker 🦵.
The Trail of the Coast of Light takes over from the Enduro de la Forêt, with the club Pays de Saint Gilles Vendée Athlétisme at the helm, under the auspices of the FFA 🏅. The “Luna Trail” sets off at night over 12 km, and the “Challenge de la Côte de Lumière” pairs it with the next day’s 16 km trail: 28 km in two acts 🌙. The program casts a wide net, from the sharp runner to the easygoing walker, with a timed Nordic walk, “Virées,” and the “Marche des Lapinous” 🎽. The kids’ races line up three formats sized just for them 👟. In the heart of a Natura 2000 area, the organization hunts down plastic: personal cup mandatory, bins at the start, at aid stations and at the finish 🗑️. A full refreshment station awaits all participants on the line 🍊.
After the effort, the region offers plenty to recover. Oysters, Vendée sardines, then ham and préfou—the region’s gourmet refuel 🦪. The Puy du Fou and its shows are less than an hour’s drive away 🏰. The lanes of Les Sables-d’Olonne are perfect for a recovery walk 🚶. The Marais poitevin invites you for a boat trip: oars rather than trainers 🚣. To stay in the groove, the Semi du Pays de Saint Gilles is also run in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez 🏃.
At the end of the trail, light: the Coast lives up to its name ✨.
4 reasons to join this race
A distance for every taste
28 kmTOP
24 km
16 km
12 km
8 km
5 km
2 km
1.5 km
750 m
- 27 Sat, 7:30 PM ➜ February 28, 2027
- 28 km
A few more words
The “Côte de Lumière Challenge” combines the “Luna Trail” and the 16 km Trail for a total of 28 km over two days 🎲. The night separates the two acts, and the legs have to handle a more or less gentle wake-up 🛌. A specific ranking rewards the most consistent runners 🏆. Here, neither one nor the other is enough: the key is not to let everything go from the very first evening.
- Sunday, February 28, 2027 at 9:15 AM
- Elevation gain : 400mD+
- 24 km
A few more words
The 24 km Trail is the flagship event of the weekend: 400 mD+, a rolling course and sand galore 🏋️. A mid-race aid station, with drinks and food, gets the engine going again halfway through. The emergency blanket, mandatory in your pack, waits at the bottom of the pocket, just in case 🧣. The second half demands grit: the surges add up and the thighs complain 🦵. A discovery format for those who dream of a long trail without leaving the coastline 🌊.
16 km : Timed Nordic walking
Nordic Walking- Saturday, February 27, 2027 at 3:00 PM
- 16 km
A few more words
Timed Nordic walking covers 16 km with its mandatory poles ⏲️. Electronic chip timing and starts set like clockwork give the discipline a competitive feel 🥁. The terrain alternates between forest paths and sandy sections, where the poles drive their rhythm into the ground 🌬️. A great way to discover the Coast of Light with your arms as much as with your legs.
- Saturday, February 27, 2027 at 3:05 PM
- 16 km
A few more words
The “Virée” 16 km offers a long walk through the forest, with a group start 🧭. A format for those who want to enjoy the scenery with no timer or ranking, between forest paths and sandy stretches 🌤️. Bring a water supply, some food, and your own cup, then a reward at the finish: a full refreshment station 🍫.
- Saturday, February 27, 2027 at 7:30 PM
- 12 km
A few more words
The “Luna Trail” streaks through the night over 12 km 🌌. The course profile remains modest, around 100 mD+, but the headlamp shrinks the world to a corridor of light 💡. Every sandy section calls for careful footing, every turn holds its surprise 🦇. No intermediate aid stations: full refreshments only appear at the finish. This format combines with the next day’s 16 km Trail in the “Challenge de la Côte de Lumière”.
- Sunday, February 28, 2027 at 10:15 AM
- Elevation gain : 100mD+
- 8 km
A few more words
The 8 km trail serves as an introduction to the family of short trails 🚦 . Its 100 mD+ remain gentle, but the sand turns every small acceleration into a very real effort 🏜️. No intermediate aid station over the distance: a water supply, some food, and a personal cup are enough, before the full aid station at the finish 🍀. Poles remain prohibited on all the weekend’s trails.
- Saturday, February 27, 2027 at 3:30 PM
- 8 km
A few more words
The “Virée” 8 km is aimed at walkers who prefer to explore the forest without slipping on trail shoes 🚶. The group start sets the tone: we move forward together, we chat, we take the time to take in the scenery 🍄. The terrain brings together the site's key ingredients, between forest paths and sandy sections, for a walk that still has some elevation 🤗. Here, walking is done at your own pace, with no ranking.
- Saturday, February 27, 2027 at 3:15 PM
- 5 km
A few more words
The “Bunny Walk” takes families on a 5 km stroll through the forest, at the pace of the smallest legs 🐇. The route combines forest paths and sandy stretches, a setting that’s a change from the stroller and the sidewalk 🌳. No race here: we walk, we look around, we pick up a smile at every turn 🧺. The route is part of the weekend’s kids and juniors courses.
- Saturday, February 27, 2027 at 4:30 PM
- 2 km
A few more words
For the Benjamins, the distance increases to 2 to 3 km 🦊. The longest kids' format on the program is for those who already want to play at being grown-ups, on terrain that has the sweet scent of the forest 💫. A lovely stepping stone before the 8 km Trail, for teens who are getting a taste for elevation gain.
- Saturday, February 27, 2027 at 4:15 PM
- 1.5 km
A few more words
The Poussins complete two loops for a total of 1.5 km 🚀. A distance that changes the game: you’re no longer running just for the fun of running, you’re running to beat your buddy 🌟. Families will cheer at every pass, since the loop brings the children back within their sight 🍭.
- Saturday, February 27, 2027 at 4:00 PM
- 750 m
A few more words
The little ones kick things off with a single 750 m loop 🐣. The format matches their little legs and gives them a first taste of running, with no pressure and no clock that matters. Parents will want to keep their phone charged for the final sprint 📸. The main thing is simply to cross the finish line, arms in the air 🏁.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Bibs can be collected at the Stade de la Forêt, chemin du stade de la Forêt, 85270 Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez. Collection is possible:
Saturday 27 February 2027 from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Sunday 28 February 2027 from 7:30 am
The events take place in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, around the Stade de la Forêt. On Saturday 27 February 2027, the starts are as follows:
3:00 pm: timed Nordic walking 16 km
3:05 pm: Virée 16 km
from 3:15 pm to 3:45 pm: Marche des Lapinous 5 km
3:30 pm: Virée 8 km
4:00 pm: kids’ race “Éveil athlé” 750 m
4:15 pm: kids’ race “Poussins” 1.5 km
4:30 pm: kids’ race “Benjamins” between 2 and 3 km
7:30 pm: Luna Trail 12 km
On Sunday 28 February 2027, the starts are as follows:
9:15 am: Trail 24 km
9:45 am: Trail 16 km
10:15 am: Trail 8 km
No, it is not mandatory; however, you will need to present a PPS certificate issued less than one year before the race date.
The 8 km Trail is open from the cadet category. The 16 km and 24 km Trails are open from the junior category.
2027 info coming soon for the Luna Trail, the walks, and the kids’ races.
Fees depend on your status (licensed with the FFA or not) and your registration date: before Sunday 31 January 2027, or after that date.
For the trails:
Trail 8 km:
FFA licensed: €10 before, €12 after
non-licensed: €13 before, €15 after
Luna Trail:
FFA licensed: €13 before, €15 after
non-licensed: €16 before, €18 after
Trail 16 km:
FFA licensed: €15 before, €17 after
non-licensed: €18 before, €20 after
Trail 24 km:
FFA licensed: €22 before, €24 after
non-licensed: €25 before, €27 after
Challenge de la Côte de Lumière (Luna Trail and Trail 16 km)
FFA licensed: €25 before, €27 after
non-licensed: €28 before, €30 after
For the walks:
Timed Nordic walking 16 km:
FFA licensed: €13 before, €15 after
non-licensed: €16 before, €18 after
Virée 16 km: €10, regardless of your status and registration date
Virée 8 km: €7, regardless of your status and registration date
Marche des Lapinous 5 km: €5, free for children under 10
Yes, each timed event has one, measured at the finish line:
Luna Trail: 2 hours
Trail 8 km: 1 hour 30 minutes
Trail 16 km: 2 hours 30 minutes
Trail 24 km: 3 hours 45 minutes
timed Nordic walking 16 km: 3 hours 30 minutes
Virée 16 km: 4 hours 30 minutes
Virée 8 km: 2 hours 30 minutes
An intermediate liquid and solid aid station is offered only on the 16 km and 24 km Trails. A full aid station awaits all participants at the finish. No plastic cups are provided: each participant must bring their own reusable personal cup.
For trail running, mandatory gear includes:
a reusable personal cup
a water reserve
a food reserve
a survival blanket, only for the 24 km Trail
Pole use is prohibited on the trail.
For walking, mandatory gear includes:
a reusable personal cup
a water reserve
a food reserve
For Nordic walking, mandatory gear includes:
walking poles
Your registration includes:
the bib and participation in the event
official timing via electronic chip
finish-line refreshments
safety and first aid
a gift at the finish
A bag drop is available at the bar. Showers and changing rooms are accessible at the stadium. The organization declines all responsibility in case of theft or damage to equipment.
If you still have questions, you can contact the organizers by email: psgva85@gmail.com
You can check the race rules here
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