In the heart of Île-de-France — trails around Paris (West)
Running Collection by Fred Urrutia
7
Tours
16:43 h
88.2 mi
5,925 ft
Of the many sporting activities you can do in Paris, trail running hardly springs to mind. And yet, the French capital’s stunning natural surroundings lend themselves well to running.
Paris is surrounded by numerous regional nature parks and forests that offer beautiful green interludes. The valleys of the Île-de-France region offer some significant elevation gain too.
Admittedly, this is a far cry from mountainous massifs and epic trail courses. But the routes around Paris are suitable for both beginners and experienced runners. However, you will be testing yourself on steep hills that might surprise even the most experienced runners.
So many wonderful running trails have sprung up around Paris that gone are the stairs of Montmartre or the thousand loops in the Buttes-Chaumont. This Collection of routes invites you to discover new horizons at the gates of the City of Light: renowned races such as the EcoTrail de Paris, the Trail d'Auffargis, the Trail des Lavoirs or the Vertrail, all take place here.
From introductory courses to more technical circuits, all runners are invited to practice their favourite sport in exceptional landscapes. Intimate races where the air is fresh and pure.
Some sites are just a few steps from the ring road, while others are further away. No matter, you can reach the routes in the heart of the Île-de-France countryside wit the metro, tram or RER.
As far as equipment is concerned, basic trail shoes are enough. No need for big spikes or rigid soles. If you’re new to trail running, it’s best to put comfort first. The only exception is on rainy days, when Gore-Tex and Contagrip or Vibram soles become useful to cope with adverse weather conditions.
On The Map
Tours & Highlights
- Intermediate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.Intermediate00:534.98 mi5.6 mph100 ft100 ft
The Bois de Boulogne is one of the largest parks in Paris. Located in the 16th arrondissement, this green lung is full of bucolic paths, perfectly suited to jogging. These are 846 wooded hectares, between monuments, gardens, lakes and exceptional buildings.
It is also a meeting place for runners from…
by Fred Urrutia
- Intermediate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.Intermediate01:065.50 mi5.0 mph525 ft475 ft
The Nouettes Park is a six hectare site covered with shrubs, trees and trails where it is good to run. At the crossroads of the forest of Meudon, Versailles and Fausses Reposes, this park in Porchefontaine has all the assets to delight those who want to learn about trail running.
Unpaved paths, a terrain…
by Fred Urrutia
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- Intermediate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.Intermediate01:328.17 mi5.3 mph500 ft500 ft
The Meudon forest is one of the main green sites in the west of Paris. It is the largest forest in Hauts-de-Seine, with more than 1,000 hectares of greenery in five municipalities: Meudon, Clamart, Chaville, Vélizy and Viroflay.
It is an exceptional place for nature lovers and sportsmen. Its steep relief…
by Fred Urrutia
- Expert run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.Difficult02:3814.5 mi5.5 mph1,000 ft875 ft
Formerly the park of a lost castle, the Saint-Cloud park is one of my favorite places to run around Paris. Classified in the inventory of historical monuments, the national domain of Saint-Cloud shelters monumental remains and fountains across its 460 hectares.
It is an exceptional playground for sportspeople…
by Fred Urrutia
- Expert run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.Difficult03:0015.3 mi5.1 mph1,050 ft1,050 ft
Located in the heart of Yvelines, the Marly forest is a must-see for nature lovers and sportsmen. It is a former hunting ground of the kings of France, which illustrates the prestige of the forest. Today, it is a compendium of bucolic sites, monuments, and incredible viewpoints, among others. The hilly…
by Fred Urrutia
- Expert run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.Difficult03:2618.7 mi5.4 mph625 ft625 ft
Located in the heart of Yvelines, the department with the largest natural area in Île-de-France, the Rambouillet forest is an ideal setting for nature races, a stone's throw from Paris. This forest of oaks and pines extends over several municipalities in the Ile-de-France region. A real breath of fresh…
by Fred Urrutia
- Expert run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.Difficult04:0821.0 mi5.1 mph2,100 ft2,100 ft
The Haute Chevreuse Regional Nature Park is one of the four (soon to be six) PNRs in Île-de-France. Located to the west of Paris, the Chevreuse valley is an exceptional forest and rural area. A green lung a few kilometers from the capital. As you race, you will come across historic sites, magnificent…
by Fred Urrutia
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Collection Stats
- Tours7
- Distance88.2 mi
- Duration16:43 h
- Elevation5,925 ft
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