The third edition of the Seychelles Nature Trail (SNT) is gaining strong momentum, with 100 runners already registered for the highly anticipated event, announced during a press conference at Botanical House.
Scheduled for Saturday, 16 May 2026, the Seychelles Nature Trail continues to position itself as a leading international trail running competition, celebrating nature, wellness, and sustainability while showcasing the spectacular landscapes of Mahé.
Speaking at the press conference, Ms Bernadette Willemin, Special Advisor for Tourism and former Director General for Marketing at Tourism Seychelles, highlighted the event’s growing international appeal.
“The Seychelles Nature Trail is a powerful showcase of our islands’ unique granitic landscapes and a key driver in positioning Seychelles as a leading nature and sports tourism destination. This edition offers one of our most diverse routes yet, combining athletic challenge with stunning scenery,” she said.
The 22 km course, featuring a 1,210m elevation gain, will take runners from Port Glaud through Cap Ternay, Anse Major, Mare aux Cochons, Cassedent, and Tomassin, before finishing at Grand Anse, offering a technical and rewarding experience across coastal, forest, and mountainous terrain.
This year’s race will feature a strong lineup of elite and returning athletes, including Sylvaine Cussot (“Sissi”), a renowned French trail runner based in Réunion Island. In the men’s category, defending champion Waqar Ahmad Nasir of Pakistan will return, while Seychellois runner Jonathan Quatre, third in the previous edition, is expected to be among the leading local contenders.
Following the success of previous editions, the Seychelles Nature Trail has become a flagship sports tourism event, attracting a growing number of international participants while encouraging local engagement with the country’s natural heritage.
The event is organised by Tourism Seychelles in collaboration with ILOP Réunion and supported by a wide network of partners, including the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA), the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF), the National Sports Council (NSC), the District Administration of Grand Anse Mahé, Local Government, the Seychelles Police, the Seychelles Red Cross, the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency, the The Seychelles Challenge Outward Bound Association (SCOBA), and the Ministry of Health.
Sponsors include Absa, Cable & Wireless, Constance Ephelia, Belliche, Skychef, Adesho Marine (Garmin), Slow Turtles, Coco de Mer Cosmetic Collection, HSI, La Scala, and Osteo Clinic.
With international participation on the rise, the Seychelles Nature Trail 2026 is set to further strengthen the destination’s position as a premier hub for nature-based and sports tourism.
