Festi-Trail des Bourriques
Semi-night trail race and festive evening in the heart of Velay
About Trail des Bourriques
The Festi-Trail des Bourriques is a sporting and festive event organized by the association Les Auvergnades in Yssingeaux, Haute-Loire. This semi-night trail offers three distances (13.5 km, 21 km, and 26 km) with late afternoon starts from the Montbarnier stadium and night finishes. After the effort, runners and companions gather in the gymnasium for a croziflette and DJ set evening. From its very first edition in 2025, the Festi-Trail was fully booked with 500 runners from 21 departments.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Trail des Bourriques at the best price.
Sponsored link
A semi-night trail in the heart of Velay
Born from the passion of a young team of volunteers from the association Les Auvergnades, the Festi-Trail des Bourriques is a trail running event that takes place every year in October in Yssingeaux, in the heart of Haute-Loire. The event succeeds the Trail des Sucs, organized by the association Tryssingeaux until 2022, and the Capito Trail of Saint-Julien-Chapteuil. The young volunteers of Les Auvergnades, themselves trail runners, drew on their experience participating in numerous local races to create an event in their image: sporting, friendly, and festive.
Three courses for all types of trail runners
The Festi-Trail des Bourriques offers three distances in a semi-night format, with late afternoon starts from the Montbarnier stadium and night finishes:
- Trail des Chanis (26 km, 860 m D+): the main event, starts at 5:15 PM. A demanding course that winds through the rolling landscapes of Yssingeaux and Saint-Jeures, offering spectacular panoramas of the Velay sucs before plunging into the night.
- Trail des Empuètes (21 km, 715 m D+): starts at 5:45 PM. A technical and varied course that allows you to discover the trails and country paths of Haute-Loire in the fading light of dusk.
- Trail des Clèdes (13.5 km, 350 m D+): starts at 6:00 PM. An accessible format open from the cadet category, ideal for a first night trail experience or for runners looking for a shorter challenge.
A festive atmosphere after the effort
The Festi-Trail des Bourriques is not limited to the race: the event continues with a festive evening at the Montbarnier gymnasium, open to both runners and non-runners. On the program: a giant croziflette — this iconic dish of Auvergne gastronomy made with crozets, cream, and cheese — served to 600 guests during the first edition, followed by a DJ set to keep the party going until the end of the night. This festive and gourmet dimension is what makes the event so original and creates a unique moment of sharing between runners, volunteers, and companions.
Immediate success
From its first edition in October 2025, the Festi-Trail des Bourriques was a resounding success: 500 runners from 21 departments started the three races, with registrations selling out a week before the event with 480 registered participants. The weather conditions — rain and night — did not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants, who ran under the encouragement of volunteers and the public lined up along the courses. The winner of the Trail des Chanis, Paulin Trivel, danced in the rain as he crossed the finish line, perfectly embodying the festive spirit of the event.
Trail des Bourriques — edition 2026
The second edition of the Festi-Trail des Bourriques is expected in autumn 2026 in Yssingeaux. Building on the resounding success of its first edition, which sold out with 500 runners, the event is expected to once again offer its three semi-night distances starting from the Montbarnier stadium, followed by the traditional festive evening at the gymnasium.
Second edition in autumn 2026
After the phenomenal success of its first edition in October 2025, the Festi-Trail des Bourriques returns for a second edition in autumn 2026 in Yssingeaux. The association Les Auvergnades is preparing this new edition with the ambition to confirm the success of the first year, which sold out with 500 runners from 21 departments.
The semi-night format that made the event successful is expected to be repeated, with the three emblematic courses starting from the Montbarnier stadium:
- Trail des Chanis: ~26 km
- Trail des Empuètes: ~21 km
- Trail des Clèdes: ~13.5 km
The festive evening with croziflette and DJ set at the Montbarnier gymnasium, highly praised by the 600 guests of the first edition, will undoubtedly be back. Registrations are expected to open in August 2026 on the ChronoPuces website.
Highlights Trail des Bourriques 2026
- 2nd edition of the Festi-Trail des Bourriques
- Autumn 2026 in Yssingeaux
- Three semi-night distances: ~13.5 km, ~21 km, ~26 km
- Start at Montbarnier stadium
- Croziflette and DJ set evening at the gymnasium
- Registrations expected on ChronoPuces
Prices Trail des Bourriques 2026
Practical information — Trail des Bourriques
Access
The Festi-Trail des Bourriques takes place at the Montbarnier stadium, in Yssingeaux (43200), Haute-Loire. The stadium serves as the start and finish base for the three races, while the Montbarnier gymnasium hosts the festive evening.
- By car: Yssingeaux is accessible via the RN88 from Saint-Étienne (approx. 45 minutes) or from Le Puy-en-Velay (approx. 25 minutes). From Lyon, allow about 1 hour 30 minutes via the A47 then the RN88. Signposted parking is available near the Montbarnier stadium.
- By train: The nearest SNCF station is in Le Puy-en-Velay (25 km), served by TER trains from Saint-Étienne and Lyon with connections.
Registration
Registration is exclusively online on the ChronoPuces website starting August 1st. Warning: the event sells out very quickly (480 places for all distances combined). It is strongly recommended to register as soon as registrations open to not miss this highly sought-after race.
Prices
- Trail des Clèdes (13.5 km, 350 m D+): €12 (from August 1st to September 15th), €14 (from September 16th to October 23rd)
- Trail des Empuètes (21 km, 715 m D+): €15 (from August 1st to September 15th), €17 (from September 16th to October 23rd)
- Trail des Chanis (26 km, 860 m D+): €18 (from August 1st to September 15th), €20 (from September 16th to October 23rd)
Participation requirements
A medical certificate of non-contraindication to competitive running (PPS) or a valid FFA license is mandatory for all races. Minimum age categories: cadets and above for the 13.5 km, juniors and above for the 21 km,espoir and above for the 26 km.
Equipment and aid stations
As the races take place in semi-night conditions, a headlamp is essential for all participants. Aid stations are provided on the courses. The trails follow the paths of Yssingeaux and Saint-Jeures.
On-site services
Showers are available at the Montbarnier stadium site. After the races, the festive evening at the Montbarnier gymnasium is open to everyone: runners, companions, and spectators. On the program: a giant croziflette and a DJ set to extend the celebration.
Contact
- Organizer: Baptiste Bouilhol (Association Les Auvergnades)
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 06 42 20 63 48
- Facebook: facebook.com/Auvergnades-Yssingeaux
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No review yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Trail des Bourriques at the best price.
Sponsored link
Where does it take place — Trail des Bourriques
Stade de Montbarnier, Yssingeaux
Stade de Montbarnier, 43200 Yssingeaux