Grand Raid 2026: running the Diagonale des Fous in Réunion in October

Grand Raid 2026: dates, route and elevation gain of the Diagonale des Fous

The 2026 edition of this flagship event on the world trail calendar runs from 15 to 18 October, with a substantially reworked course. The Diagonale no longer passes through the Cirque de Cilaos but through Salazie, via Hell-Bourg, a detour that stretches the race from 175 to 180 kilometres for 10,200 metres of positive elevation gain.

The start is still given on Thursday evening from Ravine Blanche in Saint-Pierre, on the shore of the Indian Ocean: a few flat kilometres along the coast, then the long climb towards the first checkpoint at Domaine Vidot, Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix and the Nez-de-Bœuf rest area, at more than 2,000 metres above sea level, with its view over the Rivière des Remparts.

Then come the crossing of the Plaine des Cafres, Mare à Boue, the Kerveguen slope, Cap Anglais, the Bélouve refuge and Hell-Bourg. From there the route drops into the Cirque de Mafate before returning to the coast via the Grande Chaloupe and the Colorado, and finally the turf of the Stade de la Redoute. The fastest runners cross the line in under twenty-four hours.

The rest have more than sixty hours, under strict cut-off times, to complete this brutally demanding race, born in 1989 as the Marche des Cimes between Saint-Denis and Saint-Philippe.

Five races on the programme, from the Métis Trail to the Diagonale des Fous

The organisers offer five events of varying length, each with its own terrain and level of difficulty :

• The Diagonale des Fous, 180 kilometres and 10,200 metres of positive elevation gain, crosses the island from south to north.
• The Trail de Bourbon sets off from Cilaos over 106 kilometres and 6,200 metres of positive elevation gain, from 16 to 18 October.
• La Mascareignes starts from the Hell-Bourg stadium at 1:00 AM on 16 October for 74 kilometres and 3,800 metres of positive elevation gain, leaves the Cirque de Salazie by the Sentier Scout, plunges into Mafate, then reaches the coast via Dos d'Âne and the Grande Chaloupe.
• The Métis Trail, the youngest of the family, gathers 700 participants over 51 kilometres and 2,500 metres of positive elevation gain from Saint-Paul on 17 October, via Îlet Savannah, Chemin Ratinaud and La Possession.
• The Zembrocal Trail, finally, is a relay for teams of four starting from Saint-Joseph: 160 kilometres and 8,460 metres of positive elevation gain, split into legs of 37, 35, 49 and 39 kilometres.

The scale of demand says everything about the event's aura: more than 11,400 applicants for 7,560 places, a draw held on 18 March 2026 before a bailiff, and only 1,500 bibs allocated on the Diagonale for over 3,400 hopefuls. For the next edition, keep an eye on the calendar and the information published by the organising association on its official website.

Preparation, mandatory equipment and aid stations

Nothing replaces a proper reconnaissance of the terrain. Abrasive volcanic rock, endless descents on uneven steps and the humidity of the primary forest wear down even well-trained legs. Add the coastal heat at the start, tropical rain and the fog of the highlands, and you understand why runners train their minds as much as their physical condition.

The mandatory pack, checked at the start and along the course, includes a head torch or torch with spare batteries, a water reserve of at least 1.5 litres, a whistle, a mobile phone charged sufficiently for the whole race, adhesive elastic bandages at least 2.50 metres long, enough food to get from one aid station to the next, and waterproof rain gear with a hood and heat-sealed seams.

The organisers recommend downloading the tracking and safety app before the start. One practical tip: pack a second pair of shoes for recovery, your feet will thank you on the sand at Roches Noires.

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, a base camp between south and north

Why set up base on the west coast rather than at one end of the island? Because the logistics of a Grand Raid stay are decided on the road.

From Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, Roland Garros airport is around forty minutes away, as is the Stade de la Redoute where every race finishes. Saint-Pierre and Ravine Blanche are about an hour away along the coastal road, past Saint-Leu.

Saint-Paul, the starting point of the Métis Trail and home to its famous Friday market, is ten minutes down the road. Le Port and La Possession sit along the final kilometres of the course, while Maïdo and Dos d'Âne give direct access to training trails and to the national park.

All our properties come with private parking, WiFi and a fully equipped kitchen, three details that matter when you have to load a pack at 4:00 AM or collect a runner in the middle of the night.

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