Ultra-Trail® du Haut-Giffre 2026: three days of trail running in the heart of the Samoëns mountains

From June 19 to 21, 2026, Samoëns will host the 13th edition of the Ultra-Trail® du Haut-Giffre (UTHG), one of the major summer trail events in Haute-Savoie. Each year, nearly 2,000 runners come to take on the challenge on the spectacular trails of Haut-Giffre, between Samoëns, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, the alpine pastures, and the iconic peaks of the Grand Massif.

With routes suited to all levels, from sporty hiking to ultra-trails over 100 kilometers, the event attracts both amateurs and discipline specialists. Beyond the competition, the UTHG is also a great mountain festival, with an exhibitors’ village, activities, a free concert, and races for children.

Sommaire

Eight races on the program

For this 2026 edition, the organizers offer several formats allowing everyone to find their challenge:

Aux Sources du Trail (SDT): 118 km and 7,860 m elevation gain
Ultra-Trail® du Haut-Giffre (UTHG): 91 km and 5,930 m elevation gain
Trail du Mont-Blanc des Dames (TMBD): 72 km and 4,460 m elevation gain
Trail des Frahans (TDF): 54 km and 3,350 m elevation gain
Tour de Bostan (TDB): 33 km and 2,130 m elevation gain
Tour du Giffre Duo (TDG): 32.5 km and 1,860 m elevation gain
Montée de Gers (MDG): 18 km and 970 m elevation gain
Au Fil du Giffre (FDG): 9 km and 330 m elevation gain
Mini Cross Children: discovery course for the youngest.

UTHG runner – Photo https://uthg-trail.com/

A festive program all weekend long

The festivities will begin on Friday, June 19, with the opening of the exhibitors’ village at the Samoëns Leisure Base and the distribution of the first bibs. The start of Aux Sources du Trail will be given at 9:30 PM from Gros Tilleul square.

A lire : The Pass’Portes du Soleil return at the end of June for a massive mountain biking weekend between France and Switzerland

Saturday, June 20, will feature the main races with the starts of the UTHG, TMBD, Trail des Frahans, and Tour de Bostan. Throughout the day, visitors will be able to discover the stands in the trail village before enjoying a free concert held in the evening at the Leisure Base.

Sunday will be dedicated to the final events, notably Montée de Gers and Au Fil du Giffre, as well as the prize-giving ceremonies.

A must-attend trail event in Haute-Savoie

Over the years, the Ultra-Trail® du Haut-Giffre has established itself as one of the landmark mountain trail races in the French Alps. The routes showcase exceptional sectors of the Giffre valley, between nature reserves, high mountain passes, mountain lakes, and panoramic views of the Haut-Giffre massif peaks.