Sports getaways: Lyon, Land(s) of trail running

Before you follow in the footsteps of athlete Kilian Jornet, start by wearing out your soles on the Aqueduc de Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon trail, the 5th edition of which will take place on October 11 and 12. Put on a pair of suitable sneakers, a camelbak, and head to this verdant town in western Lyon, which has inaugurated the first trail station in the Lyon metropolitan area. In 2023, the town partnered with the Rossignol group to join the national “On Piste / Trail Stations” program. Rossignol's “On Piste” website and mobile app, 100% free, list trail and Nordic walking routes, as well as ski touring and cycling routes, throughout France.

With its breathtaking view of Lyon and its bountiful nature, the Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon resort is a real breath of fresh air in Lyon's sometimes hectic daily life. The program includes three progressive "Trail" courses of 10, 15, and 21 kilometers and five themed trail workshops (single, stairs, kilometers uphill, etc.) of varying lengths and difficulties to work on your cardio. There are also three routes for Nordic walking enthusiasts, of 4, 6, and 9 kilometers. A big plus: three Handi'Spot-certified trail and Nordic walking courses are accessible to athletes with disabilities. Technical information (width of the tread, possible obstacles, type of ground, etc.) allows you to immediately know if the course is suitable for your level and disability.

More information on saintefoyleslyon.fr

Urban trail running was born in Lyon with the organization of the first Lyon Urban Trail in 2007. Last March, the 2025 edition brought together 9,500 runners. In early December, nearly 20,000 athletes participated in the legendary SaintéLyon, a true nighttime “raid” between the two cities. With 70 years of existence under its belt, it is the oldest ultra-trail race, which continues to grow in popularity. Record participations that testify to a definite craze for urban running!

In the Lyon region, Lyon Capitale highly recommends trail running in Beaujolais, which offers several types of difficulty and varying lengths, starting from Villefranche-sur-Saône, Tarare, or Cublize and the surrounding villages. As the kilometers pass, admire the harmonious alternation of deep forests, vineyards, moors, and pastures that gives this region its charm.

For a steeper landscape, head north to Ain and the towns of Nantua, Oyonnax, and Plateau-d'Hauteville. Up there, around thirty trails await you, several of which wind along the beautiful lakes of Nantua and Genin, for enjoyable trails even in the height of summer. If you're lucky enough to have a four-legged friend, don't leave them at home! In Haut-Bugey, twelve trails ranging from 4 to 17 kilometers are suitable for canitrailing.

On the Alpine side, in Isère, the Pays Voironnais trail running resort offers fourteen trails through the heart of its hills. From Voiron, Saint-Geoire-en-Valdaine, and Charavines, set off to explore the Valdaine, Chartreuse, and its gentle peaks. Along the way, don't forget to take a break to admire the clear waters of Lake Paladru, which are ideal for swimming...

Even further east, near the Swiss border, the Leman Mountains Explore has six trails that crisscross the beautiful Abondance Valley and its mountain pastures redolent of Haute-Savoie cheese. Perhaps you'll come across the beautiful Lake Arvouin, nestled in the hollow of an ancient glacial cirque. The rewards include breathtaking views of Lake Geneva, the balconies of Mont de Grange, and Mont Chauffé.

All the routes are on onpiste.com

Can't decide between trail running and canyoning? Then try swimrun! This discipline combines running and open water swimming. The concept was born in 2006, when two Swedes decided to turn the popular challenge of crossing the Stockholm archipelago by swimming and walking into an "official" race. Its real name is ö till ö, which means "from island to island." Today, runners must cross twenty-four islands over a 70-kilometer course alternating between swimming and running, in teams of two. This unusual discipline quickly gained new fans, including in France. A swimrun world championship is held every year in Sweden. In Isère, at the foot of the legendary French massif: Taillefer, the Swimrun des Grands Lacs de Laffrey offers the one and only vertical race in the world in this discipline.

Swimrun des Grands Lacs de Laffrey, Sunday, August 24 – https://www.swimrunman.fr/swimrun-grenoble-laffrey/

Where to stay?

• Refuge des Tindérêts (dormitory), located at an altitude of 1,500 meters, at the foot of Mont de Grange – 06 75 00 34 73

• Village of tree houses at Lac des Sapins in Cublize – 04 74 89 58 03

• My starry castle (tree houses in the heart of nature) in Merlas – monchateauetoile.com

Where to eat?

• Auberge du Charron (local cuisine near Lake Nantua) in Montréal-la-Cluse – aubergeducharron.fr

• The Hôtel des Bains (bistro and guinguette with large terrace) in Charavines – hoteldesbains-charavines.com

• Le Château de Pizay (gastronomic restaurant) in Belleville-en-Beaujolais – chateau-pizay.com

Not to be missed

• From July 18 to 20: Tiger Balm Ultra 01 (several trails from 10 to 170 kilometers) in Oyonnax

• September 6: Gravity Race (swimrun, a discipline that mixes trail running and whitewater swimming) in Nantua

• September 27: Ultra Beaujolais Villages Trail at Perréon

How to get there?

• By car: 45 minutes to Villefranche or Tarare by motorway / 1 hour to Voiron, Oyonnax or Nantua / 2 hours 30 to Abondance

• By train: TER Lyon-Villefranche (30 minutes) or Tarare (40 minutes) / TER Lyon-Voiron (1 hour) / TER Lyon-Oyonnax (2 hours with a connection in Bourg-en-Bresse) / TER Lyon-Évian (3 hours with a connection in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine) then bus to Abondance