Trail des Grands Ducs d'Alençon 2026

The Trail des Grands Ducs d'Alençon is a headlamp race held in the Écouves forest in Orne, Normandy. Runners start from Radon after dusk. This autumn event is noted as the department's first fully nocturnal trail race. Participants can choose from four trail distances: 8 km, 15 km, 25 km, and 40 km, alongside a Nordic walking option. The 8 km course is designed for beginners and families, while the longer routes feature significant elevation gain, ranging from 210 m on the 8 km to 1024 m on the 40 km. The race crosses the trails of Normandy's largest forest, a 15,000-hectare expanse of beech, oak, and conifer trees. The terrain is uneven, and the forest contains Signal d'Écouves, a summit at 413 m, marking the highest point in western Normandy. The event's focus is on running at night: familiar paths become more challenging to navigate, runners rely on their headlamps, and forest sounds are more pronounced. The race is named after the European Eagle-Owl, or grand-duc, a large nocturnal bird of prey inhabiting the forest. Past events have attracted over 200 participants for each of the 8 km, 15 km, and 25 km races, indicating its significant local draw.