Trail des Reculées 2027

Trail des Reculées begins in Lons-le-Saunier, the capital of France’s Jura department, on the first weekend of April. This trail-running series is structured around the Jura’s “reculées,” the narrow, deep valleys that lend the race its name. Participants can select short, middle, or long mountain routes, ranging from approximately 10.7 km with 305 m of elevation gain to about 54.9 km with just over 2,000 m of climbing. Additional options are available around 23.9 km and 39 km, accommodating runners seeking a focused local trail experience and those prepared for an extended challenge on demanding terrain. The routes incorporate the region’s natural features: cliffs, forests, open landscapes, and Jura hills, avoiding flat road sections. Even the shortest race includes sufficient climbing to provide a genuine trail running effort. The longest race, approximately 55 km with 2,000 m of ascent, is described by one French preview as a “course of madness.” Lons-le-Saunier contributes a historical dimension, as the town developed around salt springs utilized since Roman times by salt workers known as sauniers. The participants are expected to include regional trail runners, club athletes, and individuals attracted by the opportunity to compete in one of the Jura’s most unique landscapes in early spring.