Ultra Beaujolais Villages Trail 2024

In the Rhône 🌊, there's an event that trail enthusiasts should mark on their calendars. It takes place in the heart of the Beaujolais wine country 🍷. Midway between Lyon 🦁 and Mâcon, within the Saône-et-Loire region, lies the quaint town of Perréon. It's the setting for the Ultra Beaujolais Villages Trail, an extraordinary race celebrating its 13th edition 🎂. This event offers stunning routes through vineyard-laden lands for nature lovers and demanding courses 👌. Yes, this ultra is part of the UTMB® World Series 🌍, attracting top-tier competitors to the starting line! 🚩 But there's more: aside from 7 courses, the competition surprises with "The Extra Mile" and "The Cret Morion Challenge." Here’s everything you need to know! 👇

7 trails await you 👐. Sports enthusiasts will be thrilled to tackle significant distances 🦷. "The Ultra BVT" stands as the colossal challenge of the event 🐘, spanning 84 km (4,400 m of elevation gain) through untouched nature 🌿, followed closely by "The Extra BVT" with its 63 km (3,500 m of elevation gain), and the "Marathon BVT" offering 42 km (2,300 m of elevation gain). Additionally, as part of the many new features 👍, you can take on the "Maxi BVT" with its 26 km (1,400 m of elevation gain), the "Mini BVT" covering 13 km (600 m of elevation gain), and the "Baby BVT" 👨‍🍼 with its 9 km (360 m of elevation gain). Moreover, the organization has curated a prime program to push participants to their limits 💪. With "The Extra Mile," you can start a race above your initial target/level and have the option to switch to a shorter distance 🤏 if continuing feels daunting. The difference can even be refunded! 😯 See, they’re truly supportive and encourage you to excel! 😁👏 Now, all you need to do is believe in yourself as they do 😉. The only catch is you can't choose "The Extra Mile" for the three longest distances 🤷. However, if you're up for a challenge, you can opt for "The Cret Morion Challenge." There are 3 different durations: 3h, 6h, and 9h ⌚️. It's a 3 km (330 m of elevation gain) course to be completed as many times as possible 🔂 within the chosen timeframe.

This event, taking place in June in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, invites you to follow the naturally hilly terrain 🏔️. Expect beautiful strides through the vineyards 🍇, strolls through the villages of Le Perréon, Saint-Étienne-la-Varenne, or Vaux-en-Beaujolais (depending on the course, of course 😌) and stunning views of the Rhône Valley, the Saône, or even Mont Blanc 😍. You'll traverse numerous peaks 👆 and enjoy viewpoints from La Ferme de Sainte-Marie or La Madone du Perréon 👀. Additionally, some distances (like the 26 km and 42 km) will take you atop crests, such as the Crêt de l’Oiseau, Crêt David, and the Crêt des Chaux. Each leg connects through the heathlands and forest trails of the Beaujolais Vert ⚽️. As you can see, the courses are incredibly diverse and enriching 🤑. Nature lovers 🫶 will be delighted to find that the routes are almost entirely through natural settings. The celebration promises to be joyous, featuring challenging events across varied terrains and guaranteed new experiences 🤝. A word of caution? It can get hot during this time of year, so make sure to stay hydrated 💦.

Indeed, you'll need to be mindful about managing your resources ⚠️. Some routes, like the 9 km and 13 km, are completely self-supported (save for a water station). This is all part of the appeal: the organizers of the Ultra Beaujolais Villages Trail (UBVT) love the sport and aim to both introduce and share it, meeting the expectations of enthusiasts 🙌. Thus, you'll find something for every taste and ability 😊. With 7 different courses 👟, ranging from 9 km to 84 km and from 360 m to 4,400 m of elevation gain 📈, there's something for everyone! Moreover, the challenges and "The Extra Mile" are designed to push athletes to their limits 🥵. So, you'll encounter technical and fun sections, some tough, others not insurmountable. And remember, "elevation" means ups and downs! That's trail running for you! 😅 But worry not, there are also sections to pick up pace 🪃 and walking areas 🚶to catch your breath 🌬️. Plus... Remember: you're among passionate peers 💗. Expect great energy, with plenty of fun and challenge, in a truly joyous atmosphere 🥰.

Once you're through, why not explore Lugdunum? Confused? 😯 Lyon, of course, the ancient capital of the Gauls! 📍 Just so, urbanites from big cities will be thrilled 😇. The culture, be it gastronomic or heritage, is top-notch 👆. There's so much to see in Lyon, from the Roman amphitheater, the Parc de la Tête d'Or 🌳, the Basilica of Fourvière ⛪️, the old town, or the riverbanks... 🛥️You can relax at a café terrace, sipping Rhône Valley wine (the UBVT surely whet your appetite 👄) and enjoy a local specialty. There are plenty, Lyon is the capital of gastronomy, remember! 🤤 Otherwise, a few castles 🏰 like the Château de Bagnols, the Château de Rapetour, or La Chaize can add to your experience. The latter is the largest wine-producing castle in the region! You can also take a stroll through the Monts d'Or or the Monts du Lyonnais ⛰ to cap off an amazing weekend.

You're ultra motivated, admit it 😘.