Diagonale des Yvelines

La Diagonale des Yvelines (La Diag 78)

Location: Rochefort-en-Yvelines
Distances: up to 105 km
Elevation gain: up to 1,500 m
Month: April

⭐ “It’s truly a race where you experience so much, thanks to both the organisation and the incredibly dedicated volunteers supporting every runner.”
⭐ “From the very start, the warm welcome almost makes you forget you’re about to voluntarily punish your quads.”
⭐ “Precise course marking — impossible to get lost. Generous and delicious aid stations. A festive and energetic atmosphere.”
⭐ “A trail just the way I like it — enjoying beautiful nature while pushing yourself.”
⭐ “A truly beautiful race… MAGNIFICENT, pure happiness.”
⭐ “Excellent organisation (parking, shuttle buses, briefings…), with outstanding volunteers all along the course.”
⭐ “What an atmosphere thanks to the volunteers and supporters!! I was genuinely moved many times when passing them.”
⭐ “An amazing race from start to finish… everything was absolutely perfect.”

Race description

La Diagonale des Yvelines offers a unique north-to-south crossing of the Yvelines region, in the heart of an exceptional natural environment just outside Paris.

With 5 race formats and starts from several iconic locations (Breuil-Bois-Robert, Château de Béhoust, Étangs de Hollande, Rochefort-en-Yvelines), all routes converge towards a single finish line in Rochefort-en-Yvelines.

Between deep forests, technical trails, preserved landscapes and local heritage, Diag 78 delivers a true immersion in nature — just a few kilometres from the capital.

Why it’s a must-run race

La Diagonale des Yvelines stands out for:

  • a true nature trail near Paris, rare so close to the city
    • an immersive and scenic experience less than 40 km from the capital
    • a high-quality organisation (course marking, logistics, aid stations)
    • a unique atmosphere driven by passionate volunteers
    • a human-scale event, allowing real proximity with runners
    • a wide range of distances, accessible to all levels

A race that perfectly captures the spirit of trail running: authenticity, community, and connection with nature — without having to travel far.

Discover more:

5 Ultra Trail Races in France worth discovering

From the Alps and Pyrenees to the forests of Île-de-France, the limestone landscapes of Occitanie and the hills surrounding Lyon, the country offers an extraordinary

...

Deep Japan Ultra Review: One Runner’s Experience in Rural Japan & an Exclusive Interview with Founder Matsunaga-san

By TrailRunAdvisor Ambassador Alex Schubach There are trail races that take you into the mountains, and then there are races that take you somewhere you

...

MyVibe Bone Conduction Headphones Review for Running

If you like listening to music, podcasts or audio while running, choosing the right headphones is not as simple as it sounds. For road running,

...

Hiroshima Trail 50K Race Review: Inside Japan’s Newest UTMB World Series Event

How much does it cost to enter a trail race in Europe? TrailRunAdvisor analysed 200+ races across 11 countries to compare entry fees across half marathon, marathon, 100K and 100-mile distances, including UTMB® World Series races....