MONACO ALL-IN AND COASTAL TRAIL – 21K

Description

The tour will begin at the “Place d’Armes” square and where we will learn about the history of Monaco and also about the sports aspects of the city. It is adapted to all the fitness levels even if there is some climbing to do as Monaco is not flat; the guide will adapt the pace to the level of the runner.

The group will pass the harbour near Fontvieille district and will have a view on some beautiful cliffs that holds the Prince’s Palace. We will enjoy a peaceful sight of the sea and have a look at the “Musée Océanographique” of Monaco: it was built more than 100 years ago by Prince Albert 1^st. The tour continues to the “Parc de la Roseraie”, the parc changes colors every season and was a wish from Prince Rainier III in memory of his wife Princess Grace.

We will continue and cross the border with France and Cap d’Ail, where we will pass a beautiful beach and then start running into a magic place that not so many tourists know about. The guide will show you some places where you could come have a pic-nic or do diving. At the end of the path is a hidden beach with a secret grotto that you can go explore by swimming – if you dare. We will not swim to the grotto but take some stairs to reach the city center of Cap d’Ail and have another view of Monaco from above. We will do a 2km descent and you will see the soccer stadium from above.

After this 10km warm-up, we will then climb the the “Rocher” by taking the “Rampe Major” to have a look at the “Palais de Monaco”. We will have after a view from above of Monte Carlo and run towards the oldest streets of the city. I will show you where you can buy some local food like “Barbajuans”. The runners will pass through “Jardins Saint Martin” where we will observe some beautiful statues that represent some history or story of Monaco. We will then go towards the “Porte de Monaco Frame”; one nice photo spot where the modern city and the “Port Hercule” can best be seen.

After a 1km descent, we will pass the “Port de Monaco” which is the harbour that has an Olympic sea salted pool. We will run near the starting block of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix and follow some of its famous roads such as the tunnel with its lights. At the end of the tunnel, we will pass the Jardin Botanique Japonais – a beautiful garden where it is possible to see fishes but not possible to swim with them. After some more running, if the runner was disappointed for not being able to swim at the garden, he will be pleased to discover a sandy beach the “Larvotto” with restaurants where he can come take a bath after the run. We will continue and cross the border with France again but that time on the northern side of Monaco. From there, we will have a 1.5km run on soft tartan ground and at the end of it we will see one famous curve of the Formula 1.

The group will then climb to another garden “Jardins du Café de Paris”, perfect for a lunch break. That park is surrounded by luxury shops and a vintage carousel for small kids is in the middle. We will arrive in front of the emblematic “Casino de Monte-Carlo” where the guide will let the runners choose what car to take between Ferraris, Lamborghinis and  Porsches to finish the tour.