Running in Arvert: routes through the Coubre forest and along the coast

Between the flat, shaded forest tracks of the Coubre and the coastal path that runs along the Côte Sauvage, Arvert is a serious playground for runners — from an easy family outing to a longer loop for anyone training ahead of an autumn race.

The Coubre forest

The dedicated cycle paths that cross the state forest also make excellent running terrain: firm surface, flat, shaded by the pines even at the height of summer. From the village of Arvert, an 8-10 km loop towards La Palmyre or the Coubre lighthouse keeps you on waymarked tracks without crossing a single road.

The coastal path (Côte Sauvage)

The path that runs along the top of the dunes, between the Coubre point and La Palmyre, offers a more demanding route: sand, light but repeated elevation, sometimes a proper headwind, in exchange for a continuous ocean view. A format appreciated for trail-style training, on stretches of 5 to 15 km depending on your starting point.

The Coubre lighthouse loop

The lighthouse, a landmark visible from several forest routes, makes a natural waypoint for a roughly twelve-kilometre loop combining forest track on the way out and coastal path on the way back — a good summary of the area's two very different moods.

Towards Bonne Anse

On the estuary side, the paths around Bonne Anse are flatter and more sheltered from the wind than the ocean-facing side — a good choice for an easy end-of-day run, or for running while children cycle alongside.

Good to know

In summer, it's best to head out early: there's little shade on the coastal path during the hottest hours, and the sand gets harder to run on later in the morning. On the forest tracks, bring water — refill points are rare away from the villages at either end.

Sharing your routes

Several guests ask us for GPX tracks before arriving, and many leave having discovered new loops on the spot. If you use Strava or Komoot, feel free to make your route public and send us the link — we're happy to pass it on to future guests curious to try something new.

Frequently asked questions

Can you run in the Coubre forest without getting lost?
Yes, the dedicated cycle paths are waymarked and link the villages to the main Côte Sauvage access points.

Is the coastal path suitable for running?
Yes, but expect sand and some elevation — closer to trail running than road running.

What distance can you cover from Arvert?
From 8 km for a short forest loop up to around fifteen combining forest and coastline all the way to the Coubre lighthouse.