Espace Trail du Briançonnais
Discover our heritage and natural spaces through running and walking on these different trails steeped in history, with themes such as forts, canals, chapels and botany.
These freely accessible trails are designed for runners and walkers.
12 trails for all levels, from beginner to expert, in a single guidebook.
- the Schappe orchards
- the Gaillard canal
- tour des Forts
- via Guisane
- notre Dame des Neiges vertical km
- tour of the Pont Blady dam
- fort de l'Infernet
- croix de Toulouse
- crêtes de Peyroles
- tour of Rocher de l'Ombre
- pierre au Oeufs
- bois de l'Ours
Course details *
Start and finish line: Parc de la Schappe and Champs de Mars - Please follow the direction of the course!
open 
closed 
Snowtrail
*Some courses are closed due to snow. For safety reasons, we recommend that you use special equipment such as YAKTRAX or other types (snow, ice, etc.) for SnowTrail courses
P1 - Les Vergers de la Schappe - 2.8 km, 80m+ climb
An easy trail in the heart of Briançon. It begins in a magnificent hardwood and pine forest managed by the Briancon LPO and continues on the slope known as the orchard. Park opens at 09:00
P2 - The Gaillard Canal - 9.5 km and 200 m+ of climbing
A trail from the Champs de Mars to Saint-Chaffrey, passing through the Briançon climatic zone and returning via the Saint Arnould chapel and the chemin de fontaines.
P3 - Le Tour des Forts - 9.2km and 350m+ - Briançon's urban trail
The route of the Briançon Urban Trail takes you through the fortifications.
P4 - La Via Guisane - 13 km and 200m+ - The canal route on the north side
The canal route on the northern slope allows you to cover a good part of the route in the forest between Briançon and Chantemerle.
A little landslide on the way back via the Chemin de l'Outre, but it's all right! :)
P5 - The Notre Dame des Neiges Vertical KM via the oratories - 7.5 km and 1050 m+
The KM tested since 2020, which has won over many runners. A breathtaking view over the town of Briançon for this high-altitude course on the Prorel. An attractive route through the communes of Briançon and Puy Saint Pierre.
P6 - Le Tour du Barrage de Pont Baldy - 10km and 450 m+.
A discovery even for locals. A trail around Pont Baldy lake and its turquoise waters. Viewpoints with breathtaking views.
P7 - Le Fort de l'Infernet - 21km and 1,150 m+ climb
A must in the Briançonnais for those who want to go the long way! Climb through the forest towards La Cochette and the summit of Fort de l'Infernet for an athletic descent through the forts with breathtaking views. The added bonus: a connection to the Montgenèvre trail area to go further and reach the Col des Gondrans from la Cochette.
P8 - Le Croix de Toulouse - 7 km and 610 m+ climb
A myth! This is the playground of trail runners in Briançon. A beautiful loop with the return via the Bois de la Pinée. The summit of the route promises an extraordinary view of Briançon's old town.
P9 - Les crêtes de Peyrolle -18.5kms and 1250m+ (18.5kms and 1250m+)
Another magical place, arriving at the Croix de Toulouse, we continue on to the enrouye bunker and the crêtes de Peyrolle. Don't be afraid of heights;
P10 - Le Rocher de l'Ombre - 13km and 480 m+
A lovely trail between Briançon and the Clarée, with a connection to the Espace Trail de Montgenèvre
P11 - La Pierre aux Oeufs - 12km and 450 m+ climbing
On the same side of the Gaillard canal, but more involved, this route allows you to discover the chapel of Saint Arnould, "la pierre aux oeufs" and its mysteries (to be read once there) in the commune of Saint-Chaffrey via the chemin des fontaines and a return via the sentier de la grande racine to get back to Briançon.
P12 - Bois de l'ours - 15.5 km and 750m+ climbing area
Challenging route from the Champs de Mars towards the Bois de l'Ours and Serre Lan, well above the Pierre aux Oeufs. For trail runners who want to do some serious climbing.
P13 - KV du Petit Enfer - 4.5 km and 1000m+ climbing distance 
A surprising KV in the forts of the Briançonnais, on the opposite side to the KV de Notre Dame opened by our two ambassadors Guillaume and Romaric in May 2022. Next to route N°7, the start is located near the Y communication above Font Christianne to link up the Randouillet fort, the Anjou fort and arrive in a dry climb to the Infernet fort known as "le Petit enfer" - For strong climbers only!
Interview with our ambassador, Alexandre FINE
- What do you think distinguishes trail racing from other competitions?
The discovery of nature distinguishes trail running from any other racing competition. The terrain is never monotonous. These two criteria are truly distinctive. Indeed, road running can become tiresome over a 50-kilometre course, whereas in trail running the terrain is constantly changing. However, road training remains essential for trail running.
- How do you explain the rapid development of trail running in recent years?
Trail running has developed a lot, mainly thanks to social networks. Its visual appeal and the competition that can be launched between friends or followers have propelled the sport.
Also, the opportunity to get a change of scenery and enjoy an open, natural setting has been very much appreciated during the Covid period. Were you running in the forest during the lockdown? You've already done some trail running!
- What skills does it take to be a good trailer?
A good trail runner is a complete sportsman. The race is often slower than on the road, but you need to be a good climber, as well as a good descender. Mental strength is at least as important as physical strength. You have to be able to recover on the downs, and that takes a lot of psychological energy.
- Portrait of a trail runner from Briançon
I started trail running at the Serre Chevalier club six years ago. I'd already been competing at a high level in cross-country skiing for several years. However, with the launch of the Fine bakery, this activity was no longer compatible with my professional life. I still wanted to stay involved in sporting competitions, and the format of trail training and competitions suited me perfectly. I was surprised to see that I had performed particularly well in my first big trail competitions. Espoir in 2017, I won the French championship in 2018. Thanks to this victory, I was able to obtain the status of high-level trail athlete and was selected to be part of the elite French team. In 2019, to everyone's surprise, we won the world team championship, something that hadn't happened for thirty years!
- What do you love about the sport?
I was born in the natural environment of the Briançonnais, which means I'm in a place where I feel particularly at home. The wide variety of racing conditions arouses my curiosity. As each outing is unique, it's much harder to get bored of the sport. Also, unlike many sports, outside conditions have very little effect on the final result. The level is a true reflection of the sporting value. This level of authenticity is rarely found in sporting performance. Finally, the simplicity of the sport is for me a real source of attraction. You don't need to be a top performer to get the most out of the sport and enjoy being out in nature. Thanks to the superb landscapes you'll cross, you don't need to be a champion to enjoy trail running!
[ Interview in July 2022 ]