Brive trail station: the Vézère routes

1 green trail course

• Course 1: The short course - 7 .8km 117D+ 6 green
  An easy loop, with just one climb and a short technical section on the descent that follows. The rest of the route takes you past Le Saillant, an old wine-growing village, and finishes on a rolling track back to the base.

2 blue trail routes

• Course 2: Vézère and plain 10.3km 149D+ 7 blue
  This easy route is similar to the first. The start is similar. Once you reach Le Saillant, the route follows the course of the Vézère up to the power station. Once over the river, a gradual climb, partly over a wooden footbridge, takes you to the village of Le Saillant vieux. After a short but steep descent, return to the base via the rolling tracks of the plain.
  
  
• Route 3: Vézère and vines 11.5km 322D+ (one climb 200m D+) 8 blue
  This route is almost the same distance as number 2, but the difference in altitude is doubled! On this route, everything comes in twos, with two Saillants (the Saillant and the Saillant vieux), two fine climbs, plus a small one in the middle, and two fine descents, one of which is quite technical. This route is a compendium of what trail running has to offer in our region, while remaining accessible by virtue of its distance. As you cross the vineyards, you'll enjoy an exceptional panorama.

3 red trail routes

• Course 4: Les gorges de la Vézère 11km 337D+ T4(1 climb of 200m D+) 10 red
  Beware of the short but brutal course! An initial easy climb to get your legs going, a quick descent and then the serious stuff begins. A technical climb up the rocks to the Vertougit orientation table. What follows is a series of paths on hillsides, followed by a steep descent to the Vézère. The profile of the return journey looks easy. But although the difference in altitude is small, the technical nature of the single-track route that awaits you will bring down your average speed, before finishing with an easy return to base.
  
  
• Route 5: Les 2 tables 19km 609D+ T4 (1 climb of 200m D+ and one of 250 D+) 12 red
  This route is inspired by an old mountain race that took place in Le Saillant in the early 2000s: "la ronde des 2 tables". The first loop will take you on circuit 4, and once you've left the monotrace of the dams, you'll set off on a second loop that will take you to the belvedere at La Roche. This route offers magnificent panoramic views, as well as two fine climbs of over 200m each.
  
  
• Route 6: Les 2 gorges. 29km 810D+ T3 (one climb of 200m D+ and one of 250 D+) 16 red
  This route follows on from route 4 in the Vézère gorges, with the added bonus of exploring the plateau (which is not quite so flat). The town of Voutezac, built into the hillside, and the wild, unspoilt gorges of the Vaysse. This route is a rollercoaster. There is a constant flow of climbs, descents and technical sections. Managing your pace will be key to getting the most out of this route.

2 black trail routes

• Route 7: Le grand tour du Saillant -37km1100D+ T3 (3 climbs of 200 to 250 m D+) 19 black
  If you're just passing through Corrèze and don't have the time to try out all our routes, this is the loop for you. This route combines circuits 4, 5 and 6. You'll be setting off on a demanding circuit that will take you over 1000m in altitude difference. Several viewpoints will be there to reward your efforts. Poles are recommended.
  
  
• Route 8: The 50K 48km 1532D+ T3 (4 climbs of over 200m D+) 24 black
  This route, ideal for preparing for an ultra, is a repeat of route 7 with a more in-depth exploration of the Vaysse gorges. As you leave the valley, you'll head for the village of Vignols to run under the 19th-century SNCF viaducts. The reason so many viaducts had to be built is that the terrain is difficult. On this long route, you will be able to refuel in the village of Vignols. 1500m of positive gradient await you.