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An Exceptional Trail Running Spot in Savoie
A fan of running and beautiful landscapes, the Méribel valley offers you an ideal playground for running or hiking during your next stay in Savoie.
Do you aspire to start running but struggle to find motivation? Don’t miss our article dedicated to athlete Marie Dohin, a trail enthusiast who will surely inspire you!
Practice Trail Running in Savoie on a Dream Playground
Experience a unique trail running adventure in Savoie, in the heart of the French Alps.
In the heart of the Vanoise massif and the 3 Valleys area, discover rich and varied trails in an exceptional natural setting, transporting you from the shores of Lake Tuéda to summits nearly 2,800 meters high, offering a range of unparalleled views.
Varied Trails for All Levels
Whether you are a beginner, expert, or simply curious, discover the pleasure of hiking or running in nature, amidst the stunning mountain scenery that will reward your efforts. With over 150 km of marked trails, between forests, lakes, and summits, the Méribel resort will delight all trail running enthusiasts.
To satisfy all trail runners, the resort offers 9 trail routes with varying levels of difficulty, ranging from 2 to over 50 km. Mountainous, technical, airy, or wild… There’s something for everyone.
🏃♀️ Words from Marie Dohin, Kiprun Athlete: “Trail running is divided into sub-disciplines based on the distances covered. It encompasses a wide range of races, from 5 kilometers for the shortest trails to ultra-trails exceeding 300 kilometers.”
Discover Our Top Trail and Hiking Routes in Méribel
Marie Dohin's Favorite Trails:
We asked Marie Dohin, a Kiprun trail athlete, to choose 4 trails suitable for different types of runners. Discover her favorite routes!
A trail or hiking route for beginners?
Marie Dohin: For a beginner route, I would recommend Lake Tuéda. It’s an iconic location in Méribel, situated at 1700 meters altitude. The first part is flat for about 2 km, with the possibility to choose different variants. You can start with a tour of the lake, then explore the heights via the trails of the Explor Games and cross-country skiing and thus extend the loop by 3 km and add a little elevation (110m of D+). What’s enjoyable in the mountains is the diversity of paths: even with a planned route, you can choose variants for a distance ranging from 5 to 25 km depending on your preferences.
A trail or hiking route for intermediate runners?
Marie Dohin: For a longer outing, I suggest two routes. First, start from Mottaret at 1750m altitude or from the center of Méribel at 1550 and head towards the crests. From there, you can reach the summit of Tougnète at 2437m and then head towards Pas de Cherferie at 2125m and reach the Roc de Fer area, well-known to skiers in winter. The ascent is beautiful, playful, with a sumptuous rolling terrain along the crests. The view is spectacular, with glaciers of the Vanoise, Mont Blanc, there’s something for everyone! This route can be adapted to different levels of running as you can make a loop and cut across the crest depending on your preferences to descend either to Méribel or Les Allues. It’s a very stimulating course, and those who are less sporty can also enjoy the view by taking the ski lifts and spare themselves the climb or descent and only enjoy the crest line.
A trail or hiking route for long endurance?
Marie Dohin: Another more wild route for long outings, which is one of my favorites in the valley, is the tour of Aiguille du Fruit, our uniquely shaped summit in Méribel that stands at 3048 m. The route progresses gradually, starting from Méribel-Mottaret with an initial climb of 400m elevation gain towards the Plagne plateau, which you can do either via the track or the Ramées forest, then a steeper ascent to the Col du Fruit at 2539m via a beautiful single track that winds and offers stunning views of the Vanoise National Park. Once at the summit of the Col, several alternatives as always! You can reach the summit of Petite Saulire via a rocky and airy trail and find the Cross symbolizing the arrival of Méribel’s vertical kilometer, then reach the Pas du Lac ski lifts and spare your thighs for the descent! Or you can venture into the Courchevel valley and complete the tour of Aiguille du Fruit, passing by the Merlet and Saut refuges. On this route, you find yourself in a raw and authentic environment, with very few people other than marmots!
A trail or hiking route for recovery?
Marie Dohin: Finally, for a gentle recovery, I would suggest the Altiport forest. Very pleasant for running in summer and autumn, the environment remains cool and the colors change with the seasons. The terrain is relatively gentle, more conducive to recovery, but some nice hills add to the course to remind us that we are still in the mountains! Don’t be surprised to encounter hikers, mountain bikers, or golfers in the area, given that the station’s 18-hole golf course is located in this sector!
Discover Méribel’s Hikes Too ⛰️
Trail and Running Calendar in Méribel, Savoie
Don't Miss Our Events in the Heart of the French Alps!
April: L’Olymp Challenge
Imagine yourself at the start of the Brides-les-Bains station, ready to take on a challenge that will test your abilities: a timed, steep ascent through the beautiful gorges to the center of Les Allues-Méribel. But not just any ascent! We’re talking about a 3.5 km climb with a 520-meter elevation gain. This portion of the race will be the core of the challenge: achieve the maximum number of climbs in just 6 hours!
🏃♀️ Words from Marie Dohin: You can participate as a duo or solo, and all types of runners are welcome. This event encourages interaction because you always meet new people in the gondolas! It’s a wonderful community event with a team of passionate volunteers.
August: Méribel Trail
The event is ideal for discovering trail running on varied courses suitable for all ages and levels, but also for more competitive runners who want to test themselves in race conditions. Combining friendliness and nature, the Méribel Trail offers 6 courses for young and old alike.
🏃♀️ Words from Marie Dohin: The Méribel Trail offers different courses. There’s the Mérib’kids for children and otherwise, the distances range from 5 km to 35 km. Everyone can find something suitable! It’s a great way to discover the beauty of Méribel and escape into nature.
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