Trail des Petites Cités de Caractère 2026

The Trail des Petites Cités de Caractère is a trail race held in Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes, Mayenne, within France's Pays de la Loire region. The race weekend typically occurs in mid-September. Participants can choose between two main distances: La diabolique, approximately 19 to 20 km, and La petite diabolique, approximately 9 to 10 km. This event is designed for runners seeking a short, hilly trail run, distinct from road races. La diabolique, the primary event, features around 400 m of elevation gain on a single loop. La petite diabolique offers approximately 200 m of climbing over its loop. Both routes traverse natural trails surrounding Sainte-Suzanne. Reports suggest the event is a community-focused trail run rather than a large festival; one past edition recorded 144 finishers in the longer race. Despite their playful names, the climbs add significant challenge to both distances.