Skip to content
Trail Running in the French Alps

Trail Running in the French Alps

A Brit Lost in the Mountains of France

  • Home
  • 2019 Goals and Training Plan
  • Race Reports
  • Running Routes
  • Other Running Blogs
  • Race Report: Ultra Trail du Vercors 2019

    It’s strange how things sometimes have a circular feel to them. On Saturday 7th September I found myself lined up at 5am in Lans-en-Vercors, back where it all started, and where fingers-crossed

  • Race Report: Grenoble-Vizille 22km

    Taking a break from the trail with a road race from Grenoble to the historic Château Vizille

  • Race Report: FestiTrail d’Autrans

    Fun and muddy run around this Vercors mountain town was a great end to the 2018 season.

  • Race Report: UTMB Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS) 2018

    Read my race report on the 2018 TDS from Courmayeur to Chamonix.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Latest Posts

Race Report: Ultra Trail du Vercors 2019

September 29, 2019 Leave a comment

Race Report: Grenoble-Vizille 22km

April 14, 2019 Leave a comment

Race Report: FestiTrail d’Autrans

December 28, 2018 One comment

Race Report: UTMB Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS) 2018

September 2, 2018 Leave a comment

Race Report: Jurassic Coast 100 Miler

June 8, 2018 Leave a comment

Race Report: UTMB: CCC 2017

September 17, 2017 One comment

Race Report: Montée d’Oule/La Bombarde

April 24, 2017 Leave a comment

Race Report: Ultra Trail de la Motte Chalancon 2016 – 86km

August 16, 2016 Leave a comment

Race Report: Trail des Cimes du Buëch 2016 – 42km

May 25, 2016 Leave a comment

Gear Review: Brooks Cascadia 11

March 29, 2016 Leave a comment

Race Report: Bayard Snow Trail 2016

February 25, 2016 Leave a comment

Problems with Brooks Cascadia 10s?

December 16, 2015 One comment

@chamoisbotherer on Instagram

chamoisbotherer

Rounding off the weekend with a run with Eric up t Rounding off the weekend with a run with Eric up to the Pas de Bellecombe to enjoy the amazing view and sunset. Blasting back down the empty, snowy trails was great fun for both of us. 

#mountains #vercors #inspirationvercors #vercorsphotos #frenchalps #bordercolliesofinstagram #colliesofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #mountainlovers #lovewhereyoulive #alpes #stravarun #roadToUTMB #igersgrenoble #neige #localTrails #snowrunning
Yesterday was warm and filthy with rain and meltin Yesterday was warm and filthy with rain and melting snow - today was so much better so I ran to the top of the Moucherotte while I had the chance. Its always stunning looking across Grenoble framed by the Belledonne and Chartreuse and with Mont Blanc in the background.

#runsteepgethigh #mountainlovers #frenchalps #visitlafrance #vercors #inspirationvercors #vercorsphotos #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #fromwhereirun #stravarun #snowlovers #snowrunning #neige #hiver #winter #mountainphotography #viewfromthetop #auvergnerhonealpes #chartreuse #belledonne #montblanc
A few days of sunshine on the horizon after quite A few days of sunshine on the horizon after quite a bit of snow.

#mountains #icicles #sunrise #frenchalps #mountainlovers #vercorstourisme #inspirationvercors #vercorsphotos #igersvercors #snowscape #snowlovers #mountainlovers #leverdusoleil #neige #vercors #iserephotographie #igersgrenoble #igersfrance #visitlafrance #montagnes #morning #glacons
Afternoon snowshoe hike with @amyfox100 to the top Afternoon snowshoe hike with @amyfox100 to the top of the ski slopes yesterday before racing down to beat the darkness and newly imposed curfew.

Lifts closed due to Covid, huge dump of snow Thu/Fri and a sunny Saturday meant that finding any ski touring equipment to hire was impossible so we had to adapt our plans.

Amazing light at the end of the day, and a great view over a cloud-covered Grenoble across to the Belledonne, Charteuse and Oisans with Mont Blanc in the distance.

#mountainlovers #snow #mountains #dogsofinstagram #igersvercors #igersgrenoble #igersfrance #vercorstourisme #iserephotographie #visitlafrance #inspirationvercors #snowlovers #snowshoe #raquettes #neige #montagnes #lanscapephotography #goldenhour #sunset #nofilterneeded
A frigid run yesterday taking in Bec de l'Aigle wi A frigid run yesterday taking in Bec de l'Aigle with this view down into the Gorge du Furon with all the weekend traffic heading back down towards Grenoble. It hasn't snowed in over a week but the treetops are still covered since it hasn't got above freezing in that time also.

#gorgedufuron #lansenvercors #vercorstourisme #inspirationvercors #instarunners #vercorsphotos #runsteepgethigh #frenchalps #igersvercors #freezing #vertigo #snowrunning #mountains #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #mountainlovers #winter #iserephotographie #stravarun #montagnes #hiver #neige #snow
Sub-zero run up towards the Bellecombe after work Sub-zero run up towards the Bellecombe after work yesterday.

#runsteepgethigh #mountainlovers #neige #snowscape #snowrunning #mountains #lansenvercors #subzero #snow #TrailRunning #frenchalps #iserephotographie #igersvercors #igersgrenoble #igersfrance #vercorstourisme #vercorsphotos #inspirationvercors #instarunners #iserephotographie #sunset
XC skiing in Corrençon today. #xcskiing #snowsca XC skiing in Corrençon today.

#xcskiing #snowscape #mountainlovers #villarddelans_correncon #skidefond #skisunday #igersvercors #vercorstourisme #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #skiingfun #iserephotographie #inspirationvercors #frenchalps #vercors #alpes #visitlafrance
The last couple of days of nice weather before som The last couple of days of nice weather before some cold and snowy conditions predicted at the end of the week. I managed to get to the top of the Pas de Bellecombe before the hordes of tourist got there.

#vercorstourisme #inspirationvercors #instarunners #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #vercorstourisme #mountainlovers #runsteepgethigh #snowscape #merdenuages #fromwhereirun #neige #mountains #frenchalps #greatoutdoors #lesalpesfr #iserephotographie
Earlier in the week we were sat on the patio enjoy Earlier in the week we were sat on the patio enjoying the sunshine with a cup of tea, throwing snowballs to Otis, who just loves being out in it. It was a bit deep for Eric who got suspicious and went back inside.

#snow #mountains #vercors #dogsplaying #dogsofinstagram #dogslovingsnow #inspirationvercors #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #vercorstourisme #iserephotographie #vercors #hiver #neige #chiensdinstagram #lifeisgreat
La Croix des Suifs yesterday. The last time I pass La Croix des Suifs yesterday. The last time I passed this was on a run during summer when it was 34°C. It was more like -5° this time but beautiful in the sunshine. 

#winterwonderland #neige #croix #vercorstourisme #mountainlovers #frenchalps #visitlafrance #iserephotographie #igersvercors #inspirationvercors  #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #snow #montagne #neige #mountains #snowlovers #viewfromthetop
First time out on cross country skis this year and First time out on cross country skis this year and the trails were packed - dump of snow + sunny Sunday + closed lifts = busy ski de fond. The lifts are staying closed until at least January due to Covid so we'll need continue being self propelled until then.

#mountains #lansenvercors #lesalpes #skidefond #nordicskiing #crosscountryskiing #mountainlovers #vercors #inspirationvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #igersvercors #frenchalps #snowlovers #neige
40cm of snow overnight - came just at the right ti 40cm of snow overnight - came just at the right time (don't fancy clearing the drive before work meetings) for the weekend and the XC ski trails are opening today so I'm hoping to get out and enjoy. 

#snowlovers #neige #lanscapephotography #winterwonderland #hiver #snow #inspirationvercors #vercorsphotos #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #vercorstourisme #dawn #mountains #mountainlovers #frenchalps #visitlafrance #iserephotographie #wintergarden #lovewhereyoulive @amyfox100
Load More... Follow on Instagram

About me

Originally from Yorkshire, I discovered running late in life, but after moving to the Vercors in the French Alps over 7 years ago, I decided my experiences in the mountains were too amazing not to share with like minded runners.

Posts by tag

360° airport albertville annecy budapest buëch challenge trails 05 chamonix city courmayeur cycling dog etape featured france grand ferrand haute-alpes london madrid marathon mougious paris photos photosynth pic de l'aigle product review race road routes running snow spain spring summer tour de france trail uk ultra ultramarathon utmb vercors veynes video winter yaktrax

Follow me on Twitter

Tweets by @jchaffey
Powered by WordPress and Courage.