Grand Trail du Lac 2026

Grand Trail du Lac is an October trail-running weekend held in Le Bourget-du-Lac, Savoie, next to Lac du Bourget, France's largest natural lake. The primary race is a 72 to 74 km loop around the lake, featuring approximately 3,500 meters of climbing and an equal descent back to the finish. Participants can run solo or as a four-person relay. The race begins at night, so the initial miles are run with headlamps along the water. The event also offers Lac Montagne, a 34 km mountain trail starting in the medieval village of Chanaz, and the Kilomètre Vertical du Chat, a 2.41 km climb with over 1,000 meters of ascent and no descent. The long course covers the entire lake circuit, utilizing single-track paths, ridge trails, cable-protected sections, and parts along the Savière canal. A notable point is sunrise near the Belvédère de la Chambotte, with other scenic spots including the Belvédère d’Ontex and a view of Mont Blanc from near the finish. The 34 km route stays on the west bank, ascends towards La Dent at Molard Noir, and provides a shorter, steep course with similar lake and mountain scenery. The vertical kilometer is a forest climb to the Dent du Chat relay, with the final 100 meters becoming steeper before reaching the lake view at the summit.