What you will experience

Run along the unspoilt paths of the Mercantour National Park, a 68,500-hectare jewel between the Southern Alps and the Mediterranean.

Learn the art of trail running with legendary ultra-trail runner Dawa Sherpa, in the heart of landscapes where forests, lakes and peaks intertwine.

Cross the wild valleys of the Mercantour by headlamp, under a clear blue starry sky, and discover the mountains in a whole new way.

Feel the raw energy of 1,800 metres altitude, between demanding efforts and soothing breaks in an exceptional chalet.

Itinerary

1
DAY1/ 3
- Accommodation·Gîte
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D+·400m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·15km
  KM covered
We meet at Nice station at 1pm for a group transfer to Peïra-Cava, at the gateway to the Mercantour National Park.

When we arrive at the chalet, a friendly welcome over tea or coffee gives us a chance to get to know each other. This is also the time to find out about the weekend's programme and, above all, to meet the 3 trail guides, including Dawa Sherpa, an emblematic figure in ultra-trail and winner of the UTMB in 2003. Dawa shared his approach to trail running in the mountains, forged by years of experience between the Himalayas and the Alps.

In the early afternoon, it's time for the first trail run from the chalet. This warm-up session is designed to suit all levels, with fun workshops to help the group bond. Participants are divided into small groups, so that they can receive individual coaching and initial personalised advice, particularly on posture, pace and effort management on hilly terrain.

At the end of the afternoon, a discussion workshop completes the outing: how to prepare for a trail outing in the mountains, manage your equipment, anticipate the weather and adopt the right reflexes in natural terrain. This is an opportunity to benefit from the experience of Dawa Sherpa, who shares anecdotes and lessons learnt from his greatest races.

The end of the day is free: sauna, gym, pool table or bar, before a complimentary aperitif of local produce.

After dinner, there's an optional night-time trail run with headlamps (less than 7 km) to discover new sensations and work on your confidence in nocturnal terrain.

2
DAY2/ 3
- Accommodation·Gîte
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D+·500m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·16km
  KM covered
The day begins with a gentle wake-up call, followed by breakfast.

In the morning, we set off on our third trail outing, accompanied by Dawa, Damien and Loic, focusing on managing the difference in altitude on the way up and down. The guides offer progressive technical workshops, adapted to each person's level. Dawa Sherpa will be on hand throughout the session to share his energy-saving methods, his relationship with pace and long-distance endurance, with practical advice that can be applied directly to running.

After lunch, there's time to recover and rest, so that you can fully assimilate the morning's efforts.

The afternoon begins with a workshop dedicated to trail race preparation: planning, race strategy, mental management and common mistakes. This privileged moment with Dawa Sherpa offers an immersion into the experience of an athlete who has left his mark on the history of trail running, in a simple and accessible atmosphere.

At the end of the afternoon, a fourth trail outing is offered, with the option of a hike. The aim: to continue exploring the trails of the Mercantour without pressure, putting into practice what you've learned during the day.

The evening concludes with dinner, followed by an evening themed around Nepal: films, books and discussions on Sherpa culture and Dawa's journey through the mountains, transmission and commitment.
3
DAY3/ 3
- Accommodation·Gîte
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D+·700m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·12km
  KM covered
After a final wake-up call and breakfast, we take the shuttle bus to the start of the fifth and final trail outing, in the heart of the Mercantour National Park.

This longer outing, which can still be adapted to suit all abilities, is a real opportunity to immerse yourself in the mountains. Guided by the guides, the participants benefit one last time from Dawa Sherpa's advice, particularly on managing effort over time, adapting to the terrain and the pleasure of running in the great outdoors.

Back at the chalet, a yoga and relaxation session provides a gentle way to recover and bring the course to a close, both physically and mentally.

After lunch and showers, a group debriefing concludes these three days of adventure, before setting off in the middle of the afternoon.

2 more days to discover

Create your free account to read the programme day by day.

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

Dawa Sherpa

Top-level athlete

French

A key figure in trail running and a deeply inspirational athlete, Dawa grew up in the Himalayan mountains before becoming one of the great names and pioneers of international ultra-trail running. His career is marked by an impressive list of victories, including the UTMB, the 6000D and the TDS. But Dawa isn't just about his sporting achievements: he's also a humble and committed person, very attached to his country, which he supports through a charity. Having him with us on this course is a rare opportunity: a chance to chat with him and benefit from his invaluable advice, both on the trails and in everyday life.

Find out more about Dawa Sherpa

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: You'll be accompanied by Dawa Sherpa, ultra-trail icon and winner of the 2003 UTMB.

Guiding: You'll also be accompanied by Damien and Loic, 2 mountain guides specialising in trail walking.

Private accommodation: You will sleep in shared rooms in a comfortable high-altitude chalet. There will also be a sauna, panoramic terrace and petanque area.

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 should you expect

Level 2

You should be at least 18 years old to participate

You are capable of running several times a day on mountain trails with moderate gradients, up to 3 to 4 hours of effort per session.
You're willing to work in a group with expert guiding who will help you with technique and effort management.
You're ready to learn how to manage your pace, posture and mental attitude while trail running on natural, hilly terrain.
You'll sleep in a comfortable chalet, without having to carry heavy equipment, and enjoy a safe environment.
You want a progressive immersion experience, with practical workshops and inspiring discussions with a champion.

Getting there

Start · 12h30

Nice station

End · 15h30

Nice station

Transport

By train

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

Departure station > Nice station

You'll arrive at Nice station. From there, we'll pick you up for a transfer to the high-altitude chalet.

By car

Do you prefer the freedom of a road trip?

You can leave your car in a free car park at the meeting point.

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

4.9/ 5 · based on 11 reviews in this category

Bertrand E.

Très belle aventure que ce stage de trail dans les Vosges, et ceci grâce à Maxime qui est un super guide, très à l'écoute et qui a apporté à chacun de précieux conseils pour nous améliorer. Le lever du soleil avec les chamois, les soirées au refuge et les fous rires en visionnant les exploits de la journée resteront des moments inoubliables !

Caroline P.

Stage trail de 2 jours absolument parfait, avec un guide attentif à chacun.e en continu, très pro et très drôle. L'ambiance du groupe était très chouette et s'est créée naturellement. Le refuge du Sotré est très confortable, avec une vue exceptionnelle, et de bons petits déjeuners et repas.

Valérie R.

Une très belle expérience. L'équipe et la nourriture du Refuge du Sotré parfait. Notre guide Maxime au top ! De beaux souvenirs et plein de conseils. A renouveler. Valérie R. et toute la section athlétisme du club

Amélie M.

Très belle expérience durant le stage de trail de 3 jours (initiation), je recommande les yeux fermés !

Juliette L.

Très belle expérience avec notre accompagnatrice Violette, à la découverte de Chamonix en trail ! Merci pour cette belle expédition !

Frequently asked questions

How comfortable is your home?

You'll sleep in a chalet reserved for your group of adventurers, in a shared room (single beds). On site, you'll have all the comforts you need: sheets, blankets, pillows, bathrooms, as well as a sauna, panoramic terrace and petanque area.

How do I know if I'm good enough to take part?

For this trail course, we will have 2 guides in addition to the athlete Dawa Sherpa, so it will be possible to form groups of different levels if necessary. However, we recommend that you be able to run 10km a day for 3 days.

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.

Is there only one possible date?

Yes, there's only one possible date for this course, simply because it's a rare and exclusive event: we're organising it around the presence and guiding of Dawa Sherpa, an ultra-trail athlete with an exceptional career. To guarantee a quality experience (a small group, real follow-up, exchanges with him, personalised advice and real immersion), we have chosen to offer just one session, on this precise date. This is also the strength of the course: a unique opportunity that won't necessarily be repeated every year.

By the way, who is Dawa Sherpa?

A key figure in trail running and a deeply inspirational athlete, Dawa grew up in the Himalayan mountains before becoming one of the great names and pioneers of international ultra-trail running. His career is marked by an impressive list of victories, including the UTMB, the 6000D and the TDS. But Dawa isn't just about his sporting achievements: he's also a humble and committed person, very attached to his country, which he supports through a charity. Having him with us on this course is a rare opportunity: a chance to chat with him and benefit from his invaluable advice, both on the trails and in everyday life.

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 brea 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.

25% 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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Wild trail series: Run with ultra-trail runner Dawa Sherpa in the Mercantour

What you will experience

Itinerary