Trail des Salins

The Trail des Salins is a 40-kilometer race with 2,100 meters of elevation gain held in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, in the Savoie department, at the heart of the upper Tarentaise valley in the French Alps. This race takes its name from the region's salt-mining history, as Bourg-Saint-Maurice and its surroundings were the site of salt extraction dating back to the Gallo-Roman era. The salt springs that gushed from the Tarentaise mountains fed salt works for centuries, an activity that profoundly shaped the local economy and culture, making this Alpine valley a major trade crossroads between France and Italy.

The Trail des Salins course offers a total immersion in the magnificent landscapes of the upper Tarentaise, through spruce forests, flowering alpine meadows, and panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks of the Mont Blanc massif and the Vanoise range. Runners move through spectacular Alpine scenery, with sweeping views down into the Isère valley and toward world-renowned ski resorts such as Les Arcs and La Rosière. The course may pass through preserved mountain hamlets where traditional Savoyard architecture — wooden and stone chalets, slate roofs — bears witness to centuries-old mountain life.

With 2,100 meters of elevation gain over 40 kilometers, the Trail des Salins presents a decidedly mountainous profile. The climbs are long and sustained, taking runners from the valley floor at approximately 800 meters altitude up to alpine pastures above 2,000 meters. The trails alternate between technical singletrack through forests, pastoral paths, and high-altitude sections where scree fields and exposed passages demand concentration and sure-footedness. The descents, often steep and technical, heavily tax the quadriceps and require solid skills in running on rough terrain.

Bourg-Saint-Maurice occupies a strategic position in the French Alps, at the junction of several valleys and near the Little St. Bernard Pass, a historic col connecting France to Italy. The town has preserved a rich architectural heritage with its 17th-century bourgeois houses, baroque church, and former covered market. The tradition of mountain guiding is deeply rooted here, and the culture of outdoor sports — skiing, mountaineering, white-water rafting on the Isère — is part of the local DNA. The funicular connecting Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Les Arcs in just seven minutes reflects this sporting vocation.

The Trail des Salins stands as a benchmark event for trail runners looking to tackle Alpine terrain without committing to an ultra distance. Its 40 kilometers and 2,100 meters of elevation gain offer a demanding yet achievable challenge for well-prepared runners. The mountain hospitality, the wild beauty of the Tarentaise landscapes, and the rich history linked to salt mining give this race a strong and distinctive identity. After the effort, Savoyard gastronomy — alpine Beaufort cheese, diots sausages, tartiflette — and the nearby thermal waters of Brides-les-Bains provide recovery worthy of the commitment given on the trails.

Trail des Salins is a 40 km trail race with 2,100 m of elevation gain, located in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Savoie. The next edition is scheduled for 26 July 2026.

Find all official information on the race website.