France · Occitanie (Aveyron)
Les Templiers Endurance Trail 99.5K: France's Pioneer Ultra, Measured
Informations clés
Distance
100 km
Date
Droit d’inscription
160 EUR
€ / km
€1.61
France’s trail institution: big crowds, rugged Causses terrain, and a fall festival that defines the sport.
Les Templiers Endurance Trail (99.5 km) is France's most celebrated ultra trail race, held since 1995 in the Aveyron, Occitanie — the 2026 edition is the 32nd running. Starting at 4:00 AM from Causse Noir under the full moon, the course covers 99.5km with 4,304m of gain (~43.3 m/km) across three causses and three valley gorges through medieval villages and cliff-edge paths. Average uphill gradient 12.37% is estimated in the top ~10% of European trail races. The race's iconic finale: La Cade descent (km 95.88, 452m drop, 16.38% avg gradient) in darkness after 95km on roped, rocky terrain — consistently described as 'the steepest section of the whole day.' The race is sold out — waiting list only as of May 2026, historically selling out in under one hour. Entry is €1.61/km (€168 total including €8 fee). Montpellier MPL is approximately 2–3 hours away — flagged FAR. The 2025 edition drew 1,282 finishers from ~1,492 starters. Sub-19h qualifies for Western States 2027. It suits experienced trail runners who want to race France's most iconic ultra in the sport's most celebrated festival setting.
Élévation et Terrain
Mètres totaux
4,304m
D+/KM
43.3m/km
Pour référence, le Tor des Géants 330 km a 73 D+/km.
Pente montante moyenne
12.4%
Pente descendante moyenne
-11.3%
Distribution du gradient de montée
| 2–5% | 9.9 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 9.5 km | |
| 10–15% | 7.2 km | |
| 15–20% | 3.7 km | |
| 20%+ | 7.2 km |
Profil de parcours
AnalysedDétail du terrain
| 37.8% | Montée |
|---|---|
| 21.2% | Plat |
| 40.9% | Descente |
Terrain
Ascensions
Principales montées
| Rank | Length | Elevation gain | Start km | Average gradient | Max gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3.9 km · 494 m gain starts km 90 · avg 12.6% · max 67.7% | ||||
| 2 | 4.1 km · 460 m gain starts km 41 · avg 11.3% · max 40.7% | ||||
| 3 | 5 km · 429 m gain starts km 28 · avg 8.6% · max 42.7% |
Principales descentes
| Rank | Length | Elevation drop | Start km | Average gradient | Max gradient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.8 km · 452 m drop starts km 96 · avg -16.4% · max -64% | ||||
| 2 | 5.1 km · 449 m drop starts km 64 · avg -8.9% · max -46.5% | ||||
| 3 | 7.1 km · 436 m drop starts km 21 · avg -6% · max -39.3% |
Les Templiers Endurance Trail 99.5K: France's Pioneer Ultra, Measured
Why Les Templiers Sells Out in Under One Hour — and What the Waiting List Strategy Looks Like▼
Q: How hard is Les Templiers Endurance Trail 99.5K? A: Harder than its D+/km suggests. At 43.3 m/km (mid-database), it looks moderate; the 12.37% average uphill gradient — estimated top ~10% of European trail races — tells more. Three causses and three valley gorges create relentless technical transitions. La Cade (km 95.88, 452m drop, 16.38% avg gradient) is the notorious finale: roped, rocky, steep, in darkness, after 95km from a 4:00 AM start.
Course Profile — Three Causses, Three Valleys, and La Cade: The Descent That Defines 32 Editions▼
Q: Does Les Templiers sell out? A: Yes — historically in under one hour. The 2026 Endurance Trail is on waiting list only as of May 2026.
€1.61/km for France's Most Historic Ultra: What the Templiers Entry Fee Covers▼
Q: Is Les Templiers a WSER or UTMB qualifier? A: Yes to both. Sub-19h finish qualifies for Western States 100 2027 lottery. The race is a UTMB 100K indexed event.
Getting to Les Templiers: Montpellier, Millau, and the FAR Logistics of the Aveyron▼
Q: How much does Les Templiers Endurance Trail cost? A: €168 total (€160 entry + €8 application fee). Cancellation insurance (80% refund) must be selected at registration — cannot be added later.
Fichiers de course
Logistique
Aéroport le plus proche
Montpellier (MPL) / Marseille (MRS)
Notes
Start: ~2–3 hrs drive to Millau / Public transport: train to Montpellier/Marseille + connections to Millau (can be slow) / Accommodation: good in Millau; book early (big event weekend)
FAR
It’ll possibly take 3+ hours from the closest large airport to arrive. Plan your adventure accordingly, take an extra day for those after-race beers or Curranz.
