Grand Trail Nocturne des Hauts-de-France (GTN) 2026

The Grand Trail Nocturne des Hauts-de-France is a night trail race near Liévin in Pas-de-Calais, held in early November across the Artois hills. Its 61 km long course features 1,620 meters of elevation gain and holds a UTMB Index 50K label, indicating a demanding trail event. The terrain is central: runners ascend old mining slag heaps, navigate single track, steep inclines, and overgrown hills, largely in the damp, dark atmosphere of northern France in late autumn. The route connects the mining basin with the Lorette hills, passing Fresnicourt and its dolmens, thus crossing both industrial and ancient history. Organizers classify it as semi-autonomous, requiring participants to carry some of their own food, water, and equipment between aid stations. The GTN nickname is recognized by French trail runners after a few editions, attributed to its blend of rugged local terrain, historical locations, and reasonable entry costs. The 61 km race attracts a significant number of participants, with approximately 600 finishers recorded, and the competition at the front is fast, with the winning time consistently under four and a half hours.