Open Fast Hiking de Pollionnay 2026

The Open Fast Hiking of Pollionnay is a new event taking place in Pollionnay, a village located 15 kilometers from Lyon, France. The event is organized by FFRandonnée Rhône – Métropole de Lyon and is the first of its kind in the department, aiming to establish the fast hiking discipline in this hilly region. The event is scheduled for early October, with morning temperatures typically ranging from 8 to 12°C. Participants navigate using a downloaded GPX track or a paper map provided on-site, as the courses are not marked. Two routes are offered: the 'Découverte' is 10 km with 350m of elevation gain, passing through cultivated fields, forests, and hamlets, designed for beginners. The 'Open' route is 17 km with 750m of elevation gain, heading towards the Col de la Luère (715m altitude), which separates the Brévenne and Yzeron valleys. This route traverses wooded ridges in the west of Lyon, covering 4,200 hectares of natural spaces including forests, meadows, and heathlands. Fast hiking is a discipline that combines elements of trail running and hiking, emphasizing a sustained pace with a backpack and water. The absence of course marking requires participants to navigate independently. There is no visible stopwatch; participants are classified into gold, silver, or bronze categories based on their finish times, focusing on personal challenge rather than speed. The atmosphere is expected to be friendly and inclusive, attracting novices, experienced hikers, and trail runners. The Col de la Luère area has historical significance, having hosted a three-Michelin-star restaurant in the 1930s where Paul Bocuse trained. Pollionnay itself features the 900-year-old Romanesque church of Saint-Pierre and the Château de Contreau. Nearby attractions include the Croix du Ban climbing site and local culinary specialties like 'cervelle de canut'.