Running in the mountains – Les Saisies trail station

The resort of Les Saisies is a great playground for trail runners. Located in the heart of the Beaufortain massif in the Savoie department, southeastern France, this small family resort offers five routes for all levels of difficulty, all set in breathtaking alpine landscapes.

It’s not for nothing that François D'Haene (a local legend and three-time winner of the UTMB) and many other athletes have made it their base camp for training.

The concept of the trail station is directly inspired by the ski resorts. In the same place, you will find free marked routes classified according to their difficulty (green, blue, red and black).

Known by some as the ‘French Tyrol’ for the beauty of its panoramas and the unobstructed view of the surrounding mountains and Mont Blanc, this resort has also preserved the charm of its traditional architecture.

For the record, the name Saisies derives from the old French word 'saxe' and refers to a ‘rock’ or the ‘country of rocks’. Like most of the resorts in the Alps, Les Saisies was first and foremost a mountain pasture. The inhabitants lived off agriculture, livestock and forestry in near self-sufficiency. The development of the resort began in the early 1960s.

I advise you to do these Tours in summer or early autumn. Outside this period, the green pastures are covered in white gold. The resort is known for its exceptional snow in winter.

Les Saisies is located 40 minutes from Albertville. A coach service connects to the main trains at Albertville station (journey time is approximately 1.5 hours). During July and August, the shuttles are free. More info here: lessaisies.com/medias/documents/Permaliens/Navette_Nature_Beaufortain.pdf (in French).

Whether you’re an experienced runner or a novice, here are five marked trail routes starting from the village centre. Everything you need to start, improve and perfect your skills.