OFFICIAL BEST OF #7 - VIA VABRETTES, FOR THE BRAVE

From KM 74 - Ultra du Saint-Jacques From KM 21 - Grand Trail du Saint-Jacques

The second "variant" designed by the President of our Trail Saint-Jacques Association, this wilder section was introduced in 2023 to offer a connection to the village of Pont-d’Alleyras that is as demanding as it is authentic.

After refueling and changing gear (for the Ultra) at the Saint-Jean-Lachalm life base, the adventure enters a whole new dimension. "Barkley mode" is activated as you follow the access route to the via ferrata of the Rochers de la Miramande. This path leads you on a steep descent down to the eponymous stream.

This is where things get serious: a barely visible path plunges into a dense forest, shaped over the years by the passage of the race's course designers. The ground—often heavy and mixed with thick layers of leaves—makes the ascent to the Garde de Vabrettes particularly grueling.

One final technical section, through a private area and open fields, finally leads back to a proper trail.