In this guide (8 sections)
- At a glance
- Trail des Pays de Monts: 53 km through forest and dunes
- La Montoise: the Notre-Dame-de-Monts trail run
- La Course des Ridins: running on the sand at low tide
- Trail Hivernal des Biches: a night trail run in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
- The pine forests of the Pays de Monts, a playground for trail runners
- Other running events through the year
- Your questions about trail running in Saint-Jean-de-Monts
The big event for trail running in Saint-Jean-de-Monts is the Trail des Pays de Monts. Its 22nd edition is announced for 6 and 7 March 2027, starting from the Ernest Pajot stadium. Distances range from 8.5 to 53 km, through pines and dunes, over a single weekend. Two other nature races take place along the Vendée coast. La Montoise is run in September at Notre-Dame-de-Monts, and the Course des Ridins in July at La Barre-de-Monts. The elevation gain is low, but the sand makes every kilometre a challenge. The stadium is about 14 km from our campsite in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, Vendée, Au Bois des Biches. It takes around 15 minutes by car.
Key points to remember
| Race | Date and distances |
|---|---|
| Trail des Pays de Monts | 6 and 7 March 2027 (announced), 8.5 to 53 km |
| La Montoise | September, 11, 17 and 24 km |
| Course des Ridins | July, 8, 13 and 21 km |
| Trail Hivernal des Biches | 9 January 2027, 9 and 18 km at night |
Trail des Pays de Monts: 53 km through forest and dunes
The Saint Jean de Monts Vendée Triathlon Athlétisme club organises the event. The most recent edition took place on 1 March 2026, with a Nordic walk the day before.
For 2027, several calendars list the weekend of 6 and 7 March. Some mention the end of February, so the date is still to be confirmed by the organiser. Online registration opens in autumn 2026, and it is not possible to register on the day.
The programme caters for all abilities. Four distances of 53, 25, 14 and 8.5 km start on the Sunday. The 10 km canicross trail and the 4.2 km canicross walk welcome runners with their dogs. The canicross trail is one of the few events of its kind on the Vendée coast. The Nordic walk offers a timed 16 km route and an 8 km version. The youngest participants run 1 or 2 km.
The route goes through the Pays de Monts forest and along the dune ridge, between shaded woodland and views over the beaches. It passes the Davière dune, the golf course and the Buzelière viewpoint. According to the 2026 FFA race sheet, the 53 km has around 350 m of elevation gain.
| Distance | Elevation gain | Start (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 53 km | 350 m | 05:00 |
| 25 km | 250 m | 9 h |
| 14 km | 150 m | 09:00 30 |
| 8 km discovery run | 50 m | 10:00 |
Visitors’ favourite
Passing the Buzelière viewpoint, with the forest on one side and the ocean on the other.
Practical information
- Start and race village at Ernest Pajot stadium
- FFA licence or Pass Prévention Santé (PPS), €5, valid for one year since 2026
- €1 per registration donated to the Ligue contre le cancer
- GPX tracks provided, bag storage on site
La Montoise: the Notre-Dame-de-Monts trail run
Just to the north, La Montoise takes place in late September in Notre-Dame-de-Monts. Its 5th edition was held on 27 September 2026, in front of Biotopia, avenue Abbé Thibaud. The club Courses Pédestres Notre Dame de Monts offers three distances: 11, 17 and 24 km. A timed 17 km Nordic walk and an 11 km “Virée” complete the programme. Elevation gain does not exceed 200 m on the longest route. The 2027 edition should stay in September, but the date has not yet been set.
Practical information
- Start in front of Biotopia, in Notre-Dame-de-Monts
- Online registration on Espace Compétition
- Results from previous editions published by the club
La Course des Ridins: running on the sand at low tide
In La Barre-de-Monts, the Course des Ridins plays with the tide. The “ridins” are the sandbanks uncovered at low tide, at the foot of the Noirmoutier bridge. The latest event took place on 19 July 2026. The Notre-Dame-de-Monts club offers routes of 8, 13 and 21 km. A 15 km walk and youth races complete the line-up. The finish is on the beach, with an oyster tasting at the jetty. The event returns in July 2027, on a date yet to be announced.
Visitors’ favourite
Oyster tasting at the finish, on Fromentine beach.
Trail Hivernal des Biches: a night trail run in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
Further south, Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez is hosting a new winter event in the Vendée. The Trail Hivernal des Biches is a night race taking place on Saturday 9 January 2027. The Fan2Trail association has announced two distances: 18 km, starting at 17:30, and 9 km, starting at 18:00. The start is at the salle de la Parée Verte, chemin des Garennes. Registration costs from €13 to €22 for runners without a licence.
The pine forests of the Pays de Monts, a playground for trail runners
All these races share the same setting. The Pays de Monts state forest covers 2,280 hectares and stretches for around 25 km between Fromentine and Sion-sur-l’Océan. Planted in the 19th century to stabilise the dunes, it is made up of around 75% maritime pines. It is managed by the ONF (French national forestry office) and is part of the Natura 2000 network. Its sandy trails mix short climbs, steep descents and faster, smoother sections. For training, our guide to trail running routes in the Pays de Monts forest describes several waymarked loops.
Good to know
In summer, the Vendée prefecture may close access to wooded areas when the fire risk is high. The main events take place outside this period. In July and August, it’s best to check the latest orders before heading out.
The year’s other running events
Road runners have their own date in the diary too. The Saint-Jean-de-Monts half marathon and 10 km is back for its 2nd edition on 18 October 2026. The loops run along the seafront and through the pines. A little further north, the island of Noirmoutier also hosts a half marathon in spring. The FFA calendar on the athle.fr website lists the official events. If you’d like to combine a race with a holiday, the campsite near Saint-Jean-de-Monts is just 15 minutes from the start.
A tip from the campsite team
Dry sand soon tires the legs. One or two practice runs on the GPX route a few days beforehand will help you pace yourself on the dunes.
Your questions about trail running in Saint-Jean-de-Monts
When is the Trail des Pays de Monts 2027?
On 6 and 7 March 2027, according to several calendars. The organiser has not yet confirmed this date, and some websites mention late February.
What distances are on offer?
Distances range from 8.5 to 53 km. There is also a 10 km canitrail, a canimarche, 16 km of Nordic walking and races for young runners.
Is the course difficult?
The elevation gain is low, but the sand makes it a demanding run. The 53 km race has a total ascent of around 350 m.
Do I need a medical certificate?
You need an FFA licence or a Pass Prévention Santé. Since 2026, the PPS has cost €5 and is valid for one year.
Can I register on the day?
No, registration is online only. Race bibs cannot be resold.
Who wrote this article?
Article written by the team at Camping Au Bois des Biches, a 4-star campsite in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, in the Vendée. Dates and distances checked in October 2026 against the official calendars. Please confirm with the organisers before registering. Sources consulted:
- French Athletics Federation (Fédération française d’athlétisme), Trail des Pays de Monts event listings (athle.fr)
- Courses Pédestres Notre Dame de Monts, La Montoise (cpndm.fr)
- Chrono Start, Trail Hivernal des Biches (chrono-start.com)
- Pays de Saint-Jean-de-Monts Tourist Office, events calendar (paysdesaintjeandemonts.fr)
- Atlantic Loire Valley, The state forest of the Pays de Monts (atlantic-loire-valley.com)
- Finishers, Everything you need to know about the Pass Prévention Santé in 2026 (finishers.com)
