Trail The 40 Bumps 2026

The start and finish are not far, at Vol d’Oise-au 🕊️.

And yes, what will challenge you here is mainly the elevation between these two points 🤪. In the month of December, head to the Val-d’Oise, in Île-de-France, for a two-day trail offering no less than 5 courses in the heart of the forest 🌳. The event starts precisely at Saint-Leu-la-Forêt and will make you stroll among the chestnut trees 🌰, the oaks, and the emblematic conifers of the region. Don't forget your scarf and hat 🧣, as snow might join the party. But enough chit-chat, let us explain how to navigate this trail in its natural setting! 🍃

We start strong with the flagship event: the "Monster". This 120 km course is none other than the toughest trail in the region 🏋️‍♂️. A true physical and psychological challenge that will make all your training on Montmartre feel like mere speed bumps 🫏. With 4,900 mD+ on the meter, you'll be glad to be back in Paris city center a few days later, with its flat, paved ground, where your thighs aren't challenged around every path corner 🦵. Plus, a large part of the race will be in nighttime, testing your determination and resilience 🧘. For the 75 km, the "Beast" offers a similar setting, but 1,900 mD+ and 45 km less. We admit it's not negligible 😂. So if the monster under your bed still scares you a bit too much, you know which race to sign up for 🫵. The remaining races start on Sunday, between 8:30 AM and 2 PM. Distances of 45 km, 20 km, and 10 km are offered from Saint-Leu-la-Forêt and will take you to visit Saint-Prix, Taverny, and the very dense Montmorency forest 🦌. If you are a fan of history that ends well, the "Historic" course of 45 km is the mythical route that saw the birth of the Trail of the 40 Bumps. You will be able to feel the essence of the event with every stride 🏃. Whatever your choice, we advise you to keep your eyes wide open and be careful where you place your feet if you don't want to come back with a head full of bumps 🤡.

Once the effort is over, enjoy the surroundings: history, monuments, famous cities, or environment, you'll surely find something to catch your interest 🦷. Why go back to work when you can continue to enjoy? 🍹 Enthusiasts of castles and the medieval era will be thrilled when they lay eyes on the Domaine de Chantilly, to the north of the department ⬆️, or on the Château d'Écouen, to the south ⬇️. Both fortifications also house vast gardens 🌺, perfect for relaxing the muscles after an intense 120 km effort 🫨. Culture is not scarce in the region, with the small village of Auvers-sur-Oise having hosted the last 70 days of life (and just as many canvases) of the famous Dutch painter Van Gogh 🧑‍🎨. The walk is immersive, calm, and restorative 😴. Finally, make a stop at Roche-sur-Yon Roche-Guyon. The village may not host the chocolate museum, but it is nevertheless part of the most beautiful villages of France 🇫🇷. It's the only one labeled that way in the region, and it certainly earned it 🥷.

So, in December, we "Val forward" and sign up for the most beautiful year-end party: the Trail of the 40 Bumps 🐫.