Trail du Val Joly - Eppe-Sauvage 2027

Trail du Val Joly takes place in early March at Eppe-Sauvage, in France's Nord department, centered on the ValJoly tourist village and lake. Participants can select from 35 km, 26 km, 18 km, and 10 km trail races, alongside a 9 km hike and Nordic walking along the course. The longer races feature significant elevation changes: the 35 km route includes 560 m of climbing, the 26 km has 460 m, the 18 km has 340 m, and the 10 km has 130 m. Entry numbers are limited, partly to preserve the Natura 2000 area, with distinct caps for each distance and a prohibition on dogs. The race begins in the tourist village center, ascends the station steps, and then leads runners through undulating terrain before reaching Lac du ValJoly around the 6 km mark. Subsequent sections traverse toward the Riau Trouble stream, Sainte-Hiltrude chapel, and open fields, with paths winding past old bunkers and blockhouses from pre-WWII fortifications. The terrain varies frequently, incorporating trails, dunes, cobblestones, hills, forest tracks, and slag heaps, making the event suitable for runners seeking varied footing over a flat, fast course. It is organized with the Nord Athletics Committee and is included in the Nord Evasion challenge, where completing a designated race awards a virtual medal piece towards a final medal.