Trail running in Black River Gorges

Four routes to plan your run

Mare Longue Loop covers 12 km from Pétrin and back, heading towards the reservoir. Plan for an endurance outing on forest terrain.

Machabée Forest Loop is a 14 km loop from Pétrin. Shorter variants share the name, so save the complete route you intend to follow.

Piton Savanne is a 6 km return from Plaine Paul. Its easy walking grade does not remove the need to adapt your running pace to wet or uneven ground.

The Machabée crossing is 10 km and the Parakeet crossing is 8 km. Both connect the uplands with the lower gorges. Choose your direction and arrange pickup before starting.

Race segments and private land

Camphrier, Zepol and Filwil form parts of longer race itineraries. Treat each as a segment within a complete route. Dodo Trail courses also cross private estates, where event permission does not extend automatically to independent training.

Plan the whole route

Check direction, distance, climbing, technical sections and return transport. Carry your own water and an offline navigation backup. Have a shorter option and turn back if water, weather or ground conditions change.

Use a complete map for navigation. This guide does not currently offer downloadable GPX tracks.

Think beyond kilometres

A forest route can take much longer than the same distance on the road. Mud, wet rock and steep climbs can interrupt running. Let the terrain set your pace and allow enough daylight for a slower return. Check current trail access.

Choose a loop or a crossing for a reason

A loop from Pétrin works well for a day built around one vehicle. A crossing gives a different journey through the landscape but needs a reliable pickup at the far end. Decide on the transport first, then choose the distance and direction.

Do not combine race segments into a training loop from their names alone. Include every approach and exit, and check permission where the route goes beyond the park. A short connector can become a long outing once the return is included.

Share the trail well

Slow down around walkers and give people time to move at narrow passages. Keep your group together at junctions rather than expecting everyone to follow a runner who has already disappeared around a bend.

A pace target should remain flexible on muddy paths, wet rock or stream crossings. Stop somewhere stable before checking your map or phone. The aim is to finish the complete outing with enough daylight and energy for the return journey.