Feel the snow crunch underfoot, sink into fresh powder and breathe in the deep, muffled silence. On top of the unique sense of freedom and well-being that trail running brings, winter adds that little something extra: total immersion in spectacularly beautiful, snow-covered mountain landscapes.

In the snow, nature’s wild side feels even more intense, and the cold increases your body’s energy expenditure.

Two marked, groomed loops to get you started

La Grande Sure

Accessible to all levels, the first loop takes you along the ridges to the top of the Vivarais chairlift at an altitude of 2,000 metres. The breathtaking views stretch across the peaks of the Oisans, the village and the vast, sun-drenched expanses of Alpe d’Huez. The round trip takes between one and one and a half hours depending on your pace, with 170 m of elevation gain – more than enough for a fantastic introduction. Do bear in mind that running on snow places greater demands on your body and joints than running on dry ground.

Lac du Langaret

The second route leads to the charming little Langaret lake. With about 140 m of elevation gain, it takes just under an hour from the village of Villard-Reculas. The sweeping views over the Belledonne and Taillefer ranges, together with the snow-covered alpine pastures of Villard-Reculas, are the real highlights of this short loop, perfect for a first taste of snow trail running. A word of warning: you’re highly likely to get hooked!

Go further…