Vauban Urban Trail 2026

The Vauban Urban Trail is a summer trail-running weekend in Briançon, France, a fortified Alpine city linked to Vauban and listed by UNESCO. Participants begin near 1,200 meters elevation and can select from short mountain courses: 6K, 12K, and 20K, with the route ascending to approximately 1,550 meters. The event welcomes licensed and non-licensed runners, bringing together local trail runners, visiting amateurs, and skilled mountain specialists. The courses remain almost entirely off-road, utilizing paths surrounding Briançon instead of city streets, fitting for a location often called the highest city in Europe. The broader Vauban race weekend also features World Mountain Running Association competition, with elite runner introductions before races and public evening gatherings in Schappe Park, including a DJ set. The race, established in 2020, draws identity from its setting: old fortifications, Alpine elevation, and practical mountain-running terrain are all situated closely.