A new leg for the Tour des Arolles
The Tour des Arolles takes a new turn this year with an unprecedented passage through the Vallon des Écrins. A wilder route, fewer trails, and just as much mountain to explore over its demanding 72 km.
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While a few kilometres have changed, the spirit of the Tour des Arolles remains the same: a demanding route, beautiful mountain trails, and an immersion in the heart of the Arolles massif.
For this new edition, we have made a change to the 72 km course. For the first time, the runners will take the trail through the Vallon des Écrins, a preserved area located on the northern slope of the massif.
A wilder variation
This new section will allow us to remove several kilometres of track in favour of a true mountain trail—more enjoyable to run and better aligned with the spirit of the event.
After a gradual ascent through the alpine pastures, the route will join a balcony trail offering unobstructed views of the surrounding peaks. A fine reward before tackling the descent into the valley.
This modification was developed in consultation with local stakeholders to preserve the areas crossed and ensure good safety conditions for participants.
A challenge as demanding as ever
The Tour des Arolles will retain its main features, with a distance close to 72 km and around 4,300 metres of positive elevation gain.
The two major cols that define the route’s reputation remain on the programme, along with long high-altitude sections and technical descents.
The final route and GPX file will be available soon on the Tour des Arolles page.
Until then, keep training—the mountains still have some beautiful surprises in store!