Maginot Trail
Trail on the footsteps of the Maginot Line in Thiérache
About Maginot Trail
A trail in the heart of Thiérache's heritage
The Maginot Trail was born in 2022 from the initiative of the association Running Trail Thiérache (RTT), a running and walking club based in Saint-Michel-en-Thiérache, Aisne. Driven by Philippe Lefèvre and a team of enthusiasts, this original sporting event combines trail running and discovery of the historical heritage of Thiérache, on the borders of Picardy and Ardennes.
Three courses in the state forest
The event offers three trail distances with staggered starts from the Saint-Michel municipal stadium:
- Le Pic Épeiche — 32 km (704 m D+): the most demanding course, starts at 8:30 AM.
- Le Gratte Pierre — 24 km (588 m D+): intermediate course, starts at 9:00 AM. Host of the Aisne departmental trail championships in 2025.
- La Rochette — 12 km (237 m D+): discovery course accessible to all, starts at 9:30 AM.
A hiking tour of 6 to 10 km is also offered for walkers wishing to discover the route at their own pace.
Remarkable heritage on the course
The route, 95% in a forest environment, crosses the Saint-Michel state forest and offers runners an immersion in exceptional heritage. After starting from the municipal stadium, participants will pass by the magnificent abbey site of Saint-Michel-en-Thiérache, founded in 945 by Irish monks — the only abbey still standing in Thiérache, with its 12th-century Romanesque church with chapels arranged at a 45° angle to the nave. In the forest, runners will discover the blockhouses of the Maginot Line, fortifications built from 1936 to protect France's northern border. The return journey goes through the Sougland Foundries, an industrial site founded in 1543 by Thomas de Canone, considered the oldest company in Hauts-de-France.
A growing friendly event
Since its creation, the Maginot Trail has seen growing enthusiasm, with record participation in the 2024 edition. The atmosphere is resolutely friendly: aid stations on the courses, changing rooms and showers at the stadium, refreshment and catering on site. The event welcomes around 200 runners and walkers of all levels each year, in a sporting and festive spirit that is the pride of Thiérache.
Maginot Trail — edition 2026
5th edition of the Maginot Trail on Sunday, June 21, 2026, in Saint-Michel-en-Thiérache (Aisne). Three trails of 12, 24, and 32 km in the Saint-Michel national forest, following the traces of the Maginot Line, plus a hiking trail. This year, the 24 km race hosts the Aisne Trail Championship. New for 2026: creation of Kids races and a guided thematic walk on the Maginot Line.
5th edition — see you on Sunday, June 21, 2026
The Maginot Trail returns for its 5th edition on Sunday, June 21, 2026 in Saint-Michel-en-Thiérache, organized by the Running Trail Thiérache (RTT) association. Starting from the municipal stadium, runners will once again set off on the forest trails of Thiérache for an immersion in an exceptional natural and historical heritage, 95% in a forest environment.
Three trails and a hike
Three trail distances are offered, with staggered starts from the municipal stadium:
- Le Pic Épeiche — 32 km (704 m D+) : start at 8:30 AM.
- Le Gratte Pierre — 24 km (588 m D+) : start at 9:00 AM. This course is this year the host of the Aisne Trail Championship 2026.
- La Rochette — 12 km (237 m D+) : discovery course accessible to all, start at 9:30 AM.
A hiking trail (6 and 10 km, free start) is also offered to walkers.
Two new features for 2026
- Kids races : creation of events dedicated to children for this edition.
- A guided thematic walk on the Maginot Line and the interwar period (limited places).
Remarkable heritage along the route
The route crosses the Saint-Michel national forest and runs along the Benedictine abbey site founded in the 10th century, before allowing runners to discover the Maginot Line blockhouses and then the Fonderies de Sougland, the oldest company in Hauts-de-France (1543).
Registrations are open online (closing on June 19, 2026 at 11:00 PM). Welcome gift for the first 300 registrants, finisher medal for each runner. Timing provided by GoTiming.
Programme Maginot Trail 2026
Sunday, June 21, 2026
- 8:30 AM — Start of the 32 km « Le Pic Épeiche » (704 m D+)
- 9:00 AM — Start of the 24 km « Le Gratte Pierre » (588 m D+) — host of the Aisne Trail Championship 2026
- 9:30 AM — Start of the 12 km « La Rochette » (237 m D+)
- Hiking trail (6 and 10 km) — free start
- Guided thematic walk on the Maginot Line and the interwar period — limited places
- Kids races — new children's events created for 2026
Highlights Maginot Trail 2026
- 5th edition of the Maginot Trail
- Sunday, June 21, 2026 in Saint-Michel-en-Thiérache
- Three courses: 32 km (704 m D+), 24 km (588 m D+), 12 km (237 m D+)
- The 24 km course hosts the Aisne Trail Championship 2026
- New for 2026: Kids races and guided thematic walk on the Maginot Line
- Hiking trail open to all (6 and 10 km)
- 95% forest course — GoTiming timing
Prices Maginot Trail 2026
Practical information — Maginot Trail
Starting point
Saint-Michel municipal stadium, 32 rue du Stade, 02830 Saint-Michel-en-Thiérache (Aisne).
Access
- By car: From Laon (50 min) or Hirson (15 min). Free parking at the municipal stadium.
- By train: Hirson station (10 km), then taxi or carpooling.
Start times
- 32 km (Le Pic Épeiche): 8:30 AM
- 24 km (Le Gratte Pierre): 9:00 AM
- 12 km (La Rochette): 9:30 AM
- Hiking: on-site registration
Prices
- 32 km: 21 euros
- 24 km: 16 euros
- 12 km: 11 euros
- Hiking: 3 euros (on-site registration)
Required documents
Valid sports license or medical certificate (PPS) less than 3 months old.
On-site services
Aid stations, changing rooms, showers, free parking, refreshment and catering.
Contact
- Organizer: Philippe Lefèvre
- Phone: 06 32 19 73 60
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: Running Trail Thiérache RTT
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Where does it take place — Maginot Trail
Stade municipal de Saint-Michel
32 rue du Stade, 02830 Saint-Michel