Following the success of its strong second edition, which happened this August, Tourism Seychelles has announced that the Seychelles Nature Trail is returning for a third edition, this time scheduled for 16 May 2026 on the island of Mahe.
The event has quickly become one of the highlights of Seychelles' international sports and experience tourism calendar, and the next installment is again set to showcase the incredible natural beauty of the islands.
The 2026 race will again take that notch upwards, testing competitors on an energetic 22 km course that also encompasses a grueling 1,210-metre elevation gain across some of Mahé's most spectacular landscapes. Starting at Port Glaud, the route takes runners across Cap Ternay, Anse Major, Mare aux Cochons, Cassedent, and Tomassin before finishing at Grande Anse. The route will continue on a mix of coastal paths and forest trails to the mountainous areas with full technicality and accessible running.
The Seychelles Nature Trail still emphasizes sports tourism, with the celebrations of the richness of biodiversity of the Seychelles Islands giving participants an immersive experience that takes them through the natural parks of the Seychelles archipelago.
Speaking about this event, Ms. Bernadette Honore, Senior Marketing Executive for Reunion and Indian Ocean Market at Tourism Seychelles, said, “At Seychelles Tourism, we are pleased about this new development and are confident that the Seychelles Nature Trail is going to appeal not only to international and regional trail runners but also to Seychellois themselves and encourage them to experience this wonderful country and its diverse trails.”
"The Seychelles Nature Trail is another big platform for the promotion of our unique granitic islands and is very significant for the promotion of Seychelles as the leader in nature and sports tourism. This year, we once again offer you one of the most diverse routes, which combines effort with beautiful, picturesque views," she said.
Mrs. Honoré also highlighted the international appeal of the event, noting that nearly a third of the participants at the last edition came from the Asian, African, and European continents. She also noted that the responses received from international contacts had also been very positive, which improved the trail’s standing among trail runners globally.
“We’re opening up registrations earlier in response to the interest and to give runners around the world sufficient time to plan their travel arrangements,” she added.
