Trail Nocturne des Etoiles de Gimel

Gimel, Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat, France. Saturday, June 20, 2026. The Trail Nocturne des Étoiles de Gimel returns — a semi‑nocturnal trail run under the stars. Choose 24 km (Les Étoiles de Gimel, 750 m D+, 19:30 start), 15 km (La Petite Ourse, 450 m D+, 20:00 start), 9 km (La Voie Lactée, 300 m D+, 20:30 start), an 11 km hike (330 m D+, 20:35 start), and children's courses. Headlamps light the way across the high plateaus at 1,300 m altitude. Limited to 700 runners. A unique, friendly, and magical evening in the Pilat Regional Natural Park.

Location — Gimel, Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat, France:

• Gimel is a small village in the Pilat Regional Natural Park, in the department of Loire (Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes region)
• Conveniently located: 20 minutes from Saint‑Étienne, 30 minutes from Annonay, 50 minutes from Lyon
• The courses run on high plateaus culminating at 1,300 m altitude — stunning views of the Pilat massif and, on clear nights, the Milky Way

Semi‑Nocturnal Format — Run Under the Stars:

• Races start in the evening (19:30‑20:35) as daylight fades
• Headlamps required — the trails are lit only by runner's headlamps and the stars
• "Les sentiers de Gimel s'illumineront à la lueur des frontales et… des étoiles!"
• A magical atmosphere — perfect for runners and night hikers

Children's Courses — Young Runners Welcome:

• Short, fun distances for children (exact distances not specified — check event website)
• Part of the family‑friendly atmosphere

What's Included:

• Chip timing (net time)
• Finisher medal
• Event shirt (technical fabric — included with registration)
• Quality aid stations (water, electrolyte, fruit, snacks)
• Medical support on course
• Bag drop at start/finish
• Post‑race refreshments
• Age group awards (top 3 per category — specific categories not listed)
• Overall awards (top 3 male and female per distance)

Registration — Limited to 700 Runners:

• Capacity: 700 runners (all distances combined)
• Bib pickup: Saturday, June 20, from 17:30 at the school courtyard (cour de l'école)
• No online registration details — check event website for njuko or other platform

Event History — 18 Years of Trail Running in Pilat:

• 17 editions already held
• Over 10,000 runners have participated across all editions
• More than 178,000 kilometers have been run since the first edition
• Over 100 volunteers make the event possible each year

Logistics — Getting There, Parking, Bib Pickup:

• Parking available near the start in Gimel (arrive early — limited spaces)
• Bib pickup: race day only, starting at 17:30 at the school courtyard
• No refunds? Not specified — check with organizer
• No dogs allowed on the course (likely — wildlife and livestock in the park)
• Strollers not permitted on night trails
• Headlamp mandatory for all runners (no exceptions)
• Mandatory gear: waterproof jacket, whistle, space blanket, cup (cupless event?) — check race rules

Nearby Attractions (post‑race — make a weekend of it in Pilat):

• Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat — hiking trails, viewpoints (Crêt de l'Œillon), forests, and waterfalls
• Saint‑Étienne (20 minutes east) — Cité du Design, Musée d'Art Moderne, and the famous "green" stadium (Geoffroy‑Guichard)
• Annonay (30 minutes south) — birthplace of the hot air balloon (Canson et Montgolfier), historic town center
• Lyon (50 minutes north) — gastronomy capital of France, Roman ruins, UNESCO world heritage site, and the Basilique de Fourvière
• Peaugres Safari (30 minutes) — drive‑through zoo and wildlife park

Contact: Compagnie des Étoiles de Gimel — contact@etoilesdegimel.fr.