What you will experience

Three days of trail running guided by Manon Campano (2nd in the women's Diagonale des fous) and Alexandre Béraud (winner of the Ultra 170), two of the world's leading trail runners, accompanied by mountain guide Damien.

Discover the Auvergne's iconic volcanic routes, from Pierre de Lave to the Volcanic Trail and the Chaîne des Puys.

Share the terrain with top-level athletes on accessible trail outings designed to encourage discussion, observation and progress.

Live a complete trail holiday, combining outings accompanied by top-level athletes, participation in an eco-workshop, tasting of local produce and a closing yoga session.

Listen to the advice of experts and champions Manon and Alexandre during an evening dedicated to preparing for your season, to optimise your trail running performance.

Spend two nights in a comfortable gîte: a warm and cosy place in the heart of the Auvergne, ideal for getting together and sharing.

Itinerary

1
DAY1/ 3
- Accommodation·Gîte
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D+·400m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·15km
  KM covered
We meet at 1.30pm at the Volvic gîte for a warm welcome and coffee, so we can get to know each other and settle in. After meeting your 2 athletes, Manon and Alexandre, and a briefing with your guide, Damien, we set off together for our first outing on the Pierre de Lave experience trail. The route is around 15km long and has a 500m ascent, so it's a good way to get our feet wet as we head along paths that alternate between clearings and undergrowth.

Back at the starting point, we visited the Les Sources site, the very heart of the VVX (the most ecologically responsible trail and ultra trail event in France), accompanied by the president, Jean-Michel Chopin, who shared with us the soul and history of the event.

The day ended in good spirits with a welcome drink featuring local produce, before a convivial meal at the gîte put the seal on a smooth first day.

2
DAY2/ 3
- Accommodation·Gîte
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D+·1000m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·25km
  KM covered
After a hearty breakfast at the gîte, we set off for an outing of around 15km on the Volcanic Trail. The trail takes us through forests and mountain pastures, alternating steep climbs with more gentle sections, in a breathtaking atmosphere where the light filters through the trees. A refreshment stop is planned along the way, before we reach a major site where we will eat our lunch.

There, with a Nature Warden from the Parc des Volcans d'Auvergne, we take part in an eco-workshop to learn more about conservation and environmental awareness.

At the end of the afternoon, over a local beer and a few surprises, we discuss the challenges we've met and set our goals for the 2026 season.

The evening concluded with a conference on training planning, hosted by Christophe GAY, an expert in optimising trail performance, accompanied by Manon and Alexandre, our top-level athletes, who shared their practical advice on how to organise the season more effectively.
3
DAY3/ 3
- D+·800m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·15km
  KM covered
After a hearty breakfast at the gîte, we set off for the central part of the Chaîne des Puys, a major site of the Limagne fault, rich in volcanic formations. Our goal is to reach the summit of Puy de Dôme (1465 m), the region's most emblematic volcano. The Chemin des Muletiers offers us a well-marked route, alternating between woods, clearings and panoramic views of the surrounding volcanoes.

At the summit, we enjoy a gourmet picnic as a group, sharing a moment of conviviality in the heart of the Grand Site de France. The group descent then leads to the Col de Ceyssat, from where we return to the gîte for a well-deserved break and a shower.

The day ends with an intuitive yoga session to relax the body and mind, to the rhythms of the zenko (a musical instrument used to promote relaxation), helping you to come back to yourself after this volcanic immersion. The course ends at around 4pm.

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The guides who will lead your adventure

Damien

Mountain leader (AMM)

French

I was born and grew up on the Limagne plain, with the Chaîne des Puys as my playground from an early age. What was once a passion has become my job: guiding and sharing the treasures of the Auvergne. I imagine experiences where sport, nature and conviviality meet... always with good food on the menu!

Find out more about Damien

Story time

Manon Campano

Top-level athlete

French

A top-level athlete and recognised figure in French trail running, Manon competes in the biggest trail and ultra-trail races. Her achievements include two victories in the VVX 110 km (2023 and 2024), a second-place finish at the Diagonale des Fous and several standout performances at the UTMB. She embodies an engaged yet accessible approach to trail running that she loves to share.

Find out more about Manon Campano

Alexandre

Top-level athlete

French

A leading trail and ultra-trail athlete, Alexandre has won numerous major races in France. His victories include the Ultra 01 (170 km), the Trail de Vulcain (80 km) and the Volvic Volcanic Experience (80 km), as well as a 21st-place finish at the UTMB alongside the world’s elite. An experienced runner with a passion for the mountains, he brings a nuanced understanding of terrain and ultra-distance effort.

Find out more about Alexandre

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: You will be accompanied by Manon Campano (2nd female in the Diagonale des Fous) and Alexandre Béraud (winner of the Ultra 01 and the Volvic Volcanic Experience).

Guiding: You'll also be accompanied by Damien, a mountain guide specialising in trail running and a native of the Auvergne.

Accommodation: You will sleep in shared rooms in a comfortable gîte.

Meals: All meals are included, from the first meal in the evening to the picnic on the last day.

Transfers to/from the station.

Not included

Transport to the meeting point.

Any personal expenses.

Picnic lunch on Day 1.

What level to expect?

Level 2

Participants must be at least 18 years old

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This course is for runners who want to progress with a focus on sharing and exchange rather than performance, guided by two top-level athletes and a mountain guide.

You're at the right level if:

You are capable of running 15km with an average ascent of 400m (with no time objective)
You would like to take part in a trail course guided by two top-level athletes, with a view to progress, sharing and exchange, rather than performance
You're ready to learn how to manage your pace, your support and your effort on a variety of trails (paths, undergrowth, volcanic terrain)
You'll enjoy some quiet time to recuperate, with yoga and convivial moments between participants and experts
You will be accompanied by several athletes and a mountain guide, so you can form several groups and adapt the pace to your individual level

Take the level quiz

Getting there

Start · 13h30

Volvic

End · 16h00

Volvic

Transport

By train

Want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your best bet. You can reach Clermont-Ferrand directly:

Departure station > Clermont-Ferrand station

You'll arrive at Clermont-Ferrand station. From there, we'll pick you up by minibus to take you to the meeting point in Volvic.

By car

Do you prefer the freedom of a road trip?

You can drive to the meeting point and leave your car in a free car park.

Do consider carpooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure so you can organise this with the other participants.

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.

Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.

3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

4.8/ 5 · based on 2 reviews

Annabelle C.

3 jours de stage trail incroyables ! Notre guide Maxime a été de très bons conseils, il a su répondre à toutes nos attentes, en étant attentif aux besoins de chacun. Nous avons également apprécié le cadre et l'équipe du refuge de Sotré et ses magnifiques couchers de soleil. Nous reviendrons avec grand plaisir ! Annabelle & Esteve

Ilham H.

Super stage! J’ai appris plein de choses à mettre en pratique pour le trail. Maxime notre guide a été un formidable instructeur toujours dans la bienveillance. Merci encore Maxime pour ce beau stage

Adeline P.

Super stage, une belle déconnection, une équipe de choc et un encadrement au top ! Conforme à l'attendu, et encore mieux !

David D.

L'accompagnateur était professionnel et super sympa ! Il a adapté les journées aux conditions météo, aux souhaits et aux niveaux des participants. Au-delà des aspects techniques, il nous a parlé de la culture, de l'histoire locale et nous a donné quelques anecdotes.

Patrick C.

Notre guide,,Violette, au top, dans son approche, la technique et la convivialité . Patrick C.

Frequently asked questions

How comfortable is your home?

You'll sleep in a comfortable gîte in a shared room (single beds). On site, you'll have all the comforts you need: sheets, blankets, pillows, bathrooms, as well as a pétanque pitch, garden and panoramic terrace.

Do I need to be a member of a trail club?

No, the course is open to everyone, whether or not you are a member of a trail club.

What does the eco-building site do?

This is an awareness-raising session lasting around 2 hours, guided by a Nature Warden. You take part in simple actions (trail maintenance, cleaning up water cuts) while learning about good practice in preserving the paths you follow on your trail, in a friendly and accessible way.

By the way, who are Manon Campano and Alexandre Béraud?

Manon Campano is an ultra-trail runner of the highest calibre, and has shone in some legendary races: 2nd in the women's Diagonale des Fous (175 km) and winner of the Swiss Canyon Trail (83 km). Used to long days in the mountains, she knows how to manage the effort, the mental effort... and keep smiling. Alexandre is a well-known ultra-trail runner, with a string of performances in demanding formats: winner of the Ultra 01 (170 km) and winner of the Volvic Volcanic Experience (224 km), two races that demand extraordinary mental strength and endurance.

Is there only one possible date?

Yes, this course is offered on a single date, because it is organised around the presence and guiding of Manon and Alexandre, 2 ultra-trail athletes with exceptional backgrounds. To preserve the spirit of the course - a small group, privileged exchanges, personalised advice and a real immersion at their side - we have chosen to offer only one session, on this precise date. That's what makes it so special: a rare experience that won't necessarily be repeated every year.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.

Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful break — some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.

They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.

If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).

In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.
35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.
10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.
24% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.
1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

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Run with Manon Campano and Alexandre Béraud in Auvergne

What you will experience

Itinerary