A challenging weekend in the Vercors: technical trail running and elevation gain
In summary
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Sports
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Duration3 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationVercors Massif / Drome
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions33.54 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
This challenging trail running weekend in the Vercors is for highly experienced trail runners ready to push their limits. With runs of 30 to 40 km and up to 1,800 m of elevation gain per day , you'll experience two intense days combining distance, technical difficulty, and effort management.
The routes combine long climbs , alpine singletrack, technical sections, and rolling portions to work on pace, strategy, and recovery. Guided by our trail running specialists, you'll benefit from precise advice , technical workshops, and personalized feedback to optimize your ascent, descent, and posture.
The Vercors region offers ideal terrain for this demanding format: panoramic ridges, forests, and high plateaus. Accommodation at Zecamp , managed by top athletes, guarantees optimal recovery thanks to its dedicated facilities.
A training camp designed for those preparing for an ultra or a major goal and wishing to experience a real shock weekend in the mountains .
The highlights
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3 big days of trail running to accumulate elevation gain and volume
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Challenging and varied alpine terrain in the heart of the Vercors.
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Technical sessions and video analysis to improve downhill skiing
Photos
Sport
Level
Trail running
In figures
Trail and road running
- Average duration/day: 6h
- Average distance/day: 32 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 1434 m
Management
French
Program
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Herbouilly and the Grotte de la Cheminée (24 km — 900 m elevation gain)
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 24 km
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
11:45 am: Meeting in Corrençon-en-Vercors and dropping off luggage at the accommodation.
12:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Warm-up run. We'll head out for a beautiful forest loop to discover some of the geological curiosities of the Vercors. During the run, we'll discuss various topics related to trail running. We'll also take a few minutes to set up a filmed downhill running workshop, which we'll watch in the evening at our accommodation.
Late afternoon: Cold recovery bath (optional)
5:30 PM: Check-in at accommodation
6pm — 7pm: Drinks + video analysis and work on motor preferences.
7:30 PM: Dinner
Day 1 -
The Vercors High Plateaus (39 km — 1,600 m elevation gain)
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 7h30
- Distance 39 km
- Positive elevation gain 1600 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Optional: Muscle awakening session and mobility exercises
8am: Breakfast
9am – 4:30pm: Mountain hike/run with picnic at altitude on the Vercors High Plateaus.
4:30 PM: Optional: Cold bath for recovery
6pm — 7:30pm: Pre-conference drinks “Why do you run?” and discussion on trail running training and prevention.
7:30 PM: Dinner
Day 2 -
Tour of the Grande Moucherolle and Vallon de la Fauge (33 km — 1,800 m elevation gain)
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 33 km
- Positive elevation gain 1800 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Optional: Muscle awakening session and mobility exercises
7am: Breakfast
8:30 am – 2:30 pm: Last long run in the mountains with a picnic at altitude. We will run in a new area on beautiful singletrack trails with some sections of rolling balcony trails allowing for good bursts of speed between some steep climbs and technical descents where we can apply the tips learned during the trip, at the foot of the Grande Moucherolle.
3pm: Small gathering and end-of-internship debriefing
4pm: End of the training course in Corrençon-en-Vercors
Day 3
Accommodation
We will enjoy the unspoiled nature of the surrounding area, the landscapes of the Vercors mountains, and the tranquility of the surroundings during our stay at Zecamp in Corrençon-en-Vercors. This hotel offers accommodation and dining options tailored to sports enthusiasts, as well as all the necessary facilities for athletic activities, but also for disconnecting and recharging in a unique and ideal setting. We will be staying in shared rooms of four. The hotel also has private parking.
Access
100% accessible by public transport
Go to the starting point
From Grenoble train station (served by TGV, 3 hours from Paris), bus T64 serves the "Hauts Plateaux" stop in Corrençon-en-Vercors, located opposite the meeting point.
Departure from Grenoble bus station at 10:30, arrival in Zecamp at 11:47.
For the return journey, departure from Corrençon-en-Vercors at 4:14 PM, arrival at Grenoble train station at 5:30 PM. Tickets must be purchased from the ticket machine at the Grenoble bus station before departure (€10 per trip).
There is parking available on site. Feel free to suggest carpooling to other participants from Grenoble train station: you'll definitely be passing nearby on your way there!
Price details
The price includes
- supervision by a mountain guide specializing in trail running
- Full board from the first evening of the internship to the last midday of the internship
The price does not include
- lunch on the first day
- drinks and personal expenses
- cancellation and repatriation insurance
- your transportation to the meeting point and from the end-of-internship location
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Clothing to bring
Things to plan for the day
- A trail running backpack from 5 to 20 L
- A water bladder or water bottles on your pack (1.5 L minimum, 2.5 L recommended), to be adjusted on the morning of departure according to the weather and your needs
- A waterproof jacket (essential)
- A warm long-sleeved top
- Tights or long trousers in the bag
- Shoes and socks suitable for trail running
- A pair of sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm.
- A plastic bag for waste
- Your race snacks: bars, dried fruit...
- A little cash and your bank card
- A hat and thin gloves
- A survival blanket
Things to plan for your stay
- A change of clothes for the duration of the internship
- A toiletry bag and a towel
- Spare trail running shoes (especially for trips longer than 3 days)
- Your trail running poles (if you have them)
- An outfit for after the race
- A pocket knife
- Earplugs or earplugs
- A headlamp
- For multi-day trips, your luggage for the entire trip must fit in a single bag weighing no more than 15 kg.
They traveled with us
