Music Trail du Semnoz

The Music Trail du Semnoz is a 28-kilometer trail race with 1,400 meters of elevation gain, taking place in Haute-Savoie, starting from Annecy-le-Vieux. This original race brings together two passions: trail running and music. The Semnoz, an iconic mountain overlooking Lake Annecy from the southwest, provides an ideal playground for this festive and athletic event that has carved out a unique identity in the French trail running landscape.

The Music Trail concept is as simple as it is appealing: throughout the course, live bands and artists perform at strategic points, transforming the race into a true traveling mountain festival. Musical genres are varied, from jazz to rock to traditional Savoyard music, and stages are set up in exceptional natural settings. This musical dimension radically changes the running experience, adding a sensory and emotional layer found on no other race.

The course follows the trails of the Semnoz massif, a forested summit reaching 1,699 meters that offers one of the finest viewpoints over Lake Annecy and the surrounding Alps. Runners climb from the shores of the lake, pass through beech and spruce forests, cross flower-filled alpine pastures, and reach the summit ridges where the panorama is stunning: Lake Annecy cradled by its ring of mountains, the Bauges massif, the Aravis chain, and on clear days, Mont Blanc itself.

The 1,400 meters of elevation gain make the event accessible to intermediate-level trail runners while offering a genuine sporting challenge. The climbs are progressive but sustained, with some steeper sections that add spice to the course. The descents, often on technical forest trails, demand concentration and agility. The terrain alternates between wide forest paths, technical single tracks, grassy ski runs, and panoramic ridge trails.

Annecy-le-Vieux, the race's starting point, is a historic quarter of Annecy that provides a charming setting for the start village. The proximity of Lake Annecy allows runners and their companions to enjoy water activities before or after the race. The city of Annecy itself, nicknamed the Venice of the Alps for its canals and medieval architecture, is a premier tourist destination that enriches the overall experience.

The Music Trail du Semnoz organization emphasizes conviviality and celebration. Aid stations are lively, volunteers are enthusiastic, and the general atmosphere is joyful and relaxed. The finish line hosts a true celebration, with a final concert bringing together runners, supporters, and locals in an outdoor festival atmosphere.

This race is perfect for trail runners seeking a different experience, where pleasure and festivity take precedence over pure performance. The Music Trail du Semnoz proves that trail running can be an art of living, a celebration of mountains and music, in the enchanting setting of the Savoyard Alps. It is a race where you run with a smile on your face, carried by musical notes and the beauty of the landscapes.