Grands Trails Esprit Volcans 2026

Grands Trails Esprit Volcans is a September trail-running series held in France’s Puy-de-Dôme department, within the volcanic region near Clermont-Ferrand. Previously known as the Grand Trail de Clermont-Ferrand, it features multiple race formats instead of a single main event: a 12 km night trail, a 22 km mountain trail, a 34 km point-to-point course, a family race, and a 13.4 km event for athletes with motor or sensory disabilities. Each race is limited to 500 participants, and the primary trail distances contribute to the UTMB Index. The 12 km Mardoux Trail begins and ends at the Zénith d’Auvergne, including 450 m of elevation gain in the dark. The 22 km Gergo Trail commences in Cournon-d’Auvergne, ascends 900 m, and crosses the Plateau de Gergovie, the Bois des Fours à Chaux, the Ravin de Vazilhat, and the Puy de Mardoux. The main event is La Directissime, a 34 km run starting from the summit of the Puy de Dôme, a Grand Site de France. It descends through the Parc naturel régional des Volcans d’Auvergne to the Zénith d’Auvergne, featuring 1,800 m of descent and 770 m of climbing. Following the race, participants receive two tickets to the Foire Exposition de Clermont, where approximately ten eateries provide a practical conclusion to the day.