Besançon Forts Trail 2025
Book nowTrail des Forts de Besançon
- Next event : 10 Sat ➜ May 11, 2025Date confirmed
- Last event : 11 Sat ➜ May 12, 2024
The event in a few words
The Trail des Forts de Besançon offers a true adventure in the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, allowing you to explore the birthplace of Victor Hugo ✍️, in the heart of the department of Doubs 📍. This competition takes place at the start of May 🌼 — perfect for great weather conditions! 🌤️ For this edition, the organizers aim to delight everyone by offering 5 distances and 1 challenge, alongside the traditional children's races 👧. This includes a nighttime time trial of 5 km with 140mD+, a hike, and an 11 km trail with 330 mD+, a 22 km with 600 mD+, and a 62 km with 2,400 mD+ that can be done solo 👤 or in relay. There's also a 3-day challenge comprising 3 events, totaling 42 km with 1300 mD+. As you can see, there's plenty to enjoy! 😈
Let's kick off this exciting sports weekend with an unusual event for running: the time trial ⌚️. "Do they think they're in the Tour de France?" 🚴♀️. It's true, cyclists usually face this solitary effort. For this Saturday Night Fever, you'll tackle 5 urban km 🏙️, explosive 💥, and above all new 🆕 for a guaranteed spectacle. Whether it's the hike or the 11 km trail, the same route, only differing by discipline, will take you through the Citadelle of Besançon and along the banks of the Doubs River 💦. This circuit is a perfect blend of nature 🍃 and heritage 🏰, ideal for discovering the city from a new perspective 👀.
The 22 km follows the same program but adds delightful detours through Montfaucon and Morre 😁. As for the 42 km, it offers the chance to cross several forts from the 18th and 19th centuries 🛡️. Finally, the 62 km connects all 10 forts that protect the Vauban fortress city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This technical and historical route ensures you don't miss out on the richness and diversity of this unique course 👆, which you can also enjoy in relay mode 👥. Did we forget something? 🤔 Of course, the "3-Day Challenge"! You'll start with the 22 km on Saturday afternoon, followed by the "Time Trial" of 5 km on Saturday evening, finishing with the 11 km on Sunday morning. If our calculations are correct, that's 42 km in total with 1300 mD+ 📈. I hope your quads are ready because it's bound to get a bit heated 🔥. All in all, exceptional views 🤩 await you, no matter which event you choose, whether it's the stunning landscapes 🏞️ or the rich cultural heritage. Each loop around the Doubs will lead you to the most beautiful spots in Besançon, including its historic city center and surroundings 😉.
After exploring Besançon's architecture and history, extend your weekend by visiting the Museum of Time 🕰️ or the Fine Arts and Archaeology Museum 🦴. If your legs are feeling heavy, take a stroll in Parc Micaud ⛲️, where the trees will welcome you with open branches 🌳. On the culinary side 🍽️, don't miss the local specialties such as Comtoise salad 🧀, potée 🥬, veal escalope 🥩, galette, and the unique cancoillotte 😋.
This trail is truly something special, incredibly impressive! 💪
4 reasons to join this race
A distance for every taste
- 62 kmTOP
- 42 km
- 22 km
- 16 km
- 11 km
- 5 km
- Kids
- Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 7:30 AM
- Elevation gain : 2400mD+
- 800+ runners in the last edition
- Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM
- Elevation gain : 1300mD+
- 900+ runners in the last edition
- Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
- Elevation gain : 600mD+
- 1,000+ runners in the last edition
Trail 16 km
Trail- Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 10:45 AM
- Elevation gain : 330mD+
- 1,000+ runners in the last edition
11km rando
Walking- Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
- Elevation gain : 330mD+
Trail 11 km
Trail- Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 11:30 AM
- Elevation gain : 330mD+
Races for children / juniors 👶
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Race bibs can be collected at La Rodia – 10 Avenue Chardonnet – 25000 Besançon on the following dates:
Friday, May 19th from 4 PM to 8 PM
Saturday, May 10th from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM and from 2 PM to 8:30 PM
Sunday, May 11th from 8 AM to 11:30 AM
Mandatory equipment includes:
A hydration system of at least 1L with a bottle holder or water bag (0.5L for the 11 km and the hiking event)
Food reserve
Rain gear
A whistle
A survival blanket
No cups will be provided at the refreshment points and at the finish line. Each participant agrees to have the required equipment and to present it at any request by the organizer, either just before the start, during the entire event, or in the finish area.
Optional equipment includes:
A mobile phone with a charged battery
Non-permitted equipment:
Poles are not allowed
Pets are not allowed on the course
Note: Equipment checks may be conducted at bib collection, at the start, during the course, and at the finish. Participants may be disqualified for not complying with the equipment rules.
You can find all the important information about the exhibitor’s village right here: https://www.traildesforts.com/evenement/le-village-expo/
• Your ID
• Your bib collection card (which you will receive by email a few days before the event or can download by visiting your registration)
You will have the option to leave a bag weighing under 20kg at the starting point of your event.
Changing rooms and showers will be available at the finish area.
You can download the map below, which will show you nearby parking options at the start and finish locations: Download the parking map
Another option: Ginko Park & Ride lots
24h P+R Pass: For €4.30, park your vehicle and enjoy unlimited travel on Ginko bus and tram lines for 24 hours.
For all the info on Park & Ride lots: https://bit.ly/2I8mtst
For the "3 Races Challenge": Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at 9 AM from La Rodia Parking – Avenue de Chardonnet – 25000 Besançon
For the 62 km: Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at 7:30 AM from La Rodia Parking – Avenue de Chardonnet – 25000 Besançon
For the 62 km relay in pairs: Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at 7:30 AM from La Rodia Parking – Avenue de Chardonnet – 25000 Besançon
For the 42 km: Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at 10:30 AM from La Rodia Parking – Avenue de Chardonnet – 25000 Besançon
For the 22 km: Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at 9 AM from La Rodia Parking – Avenue de Chardonnet – 25000 Besançon
For the 16 km: Sunday, May 11th, 2025 at 10:45 AM from La Rodia Parking – Avenue de Chardonnet – 25000 Besançon
For the 11 km: Sunday, May 11th, 2025 at 11:30 AM from La Rodia Parking – Avenue de Chardonnet – 25000 Besançon
For the 5 km "Night Time Trial": Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at 9 PM from La Rodia Parking – Avenue de Chardonnet – 25000 Besançon
For the 11 km "hike": Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at 3:30 PM from La Rodia Parking – Avenue de Chardonnet – 25000 Besançon
For the children's races: Sunday, May 11th, 2025 at 8:30 AM from La Rodia Parking – Avenue de Chardonnet – 25000 Besançon
For the "3 Races Challenge": over 18 years
For the 62 km: over 20 years
For the 62 km relay in pairs: over 20 years
For the 42 km: over 20 years
For the 22 km: over 18 years
For the 11 km: over 16 years
For the 5 km "Night Time Trial": over 16 years
For the 11 km "hike": over 12 years
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