Chalmatrail 2026

ChalmaTrail sends runners onto forest paths above Chalmazel-Jeansagnière, a village in France’s Loire department, in the Forez mountains. It is a summer trail-running series with four distances, from a 9 km option to an 80 km ultra, the first ultra-trail in the Loire. The event is moving past a dozen editions, and its routes are linked to UTMB and ITRA indexes. The courses climb through the Forez massif toward Pierre-sur-Haute, the highest point in the Loire, with alpine-style climbs and technical descents. Race names include Chalma’Vertical, Chalma’Bref, Chalma’Classique, Chalma’Rude, and Chalma’Rathon; the Chalma’Classique is listed at ITRA Mountain Level 4 and in the National League. A recent edition drew about 800 solo runners, with aid stations and time limits that keep the races organized while still leaving them approachable for non-elite trail runners.