France · Occitanie (Aveyron)
Les Templiers Grand Trail: France's Oldest Ultra, Measured
Distance
81 km
Date
Droit d’inscription
155 EUR
€ / km
€1.92
France’s trail institution: big crowds, rugged Causses terrain, and a fall festival that defines the sport.
Les Templiers Endurance Trail — officially the Grand Trail des Templiers — is an 80.73km trail race held in October in the Aveyron, Occitanie, southern France. The course gains 3,443m (42.6m/km) across the limestone plateaus of Causse Noir and Causse Méjean, through the Tarn and Dourbie gorges, forested trails, and ancient stone villages before finishing in Millau beneath the Millau Viaduct. The 12.59% average uphill gradient reflects the terrain's character: rolling plateau sections punctuated by steep gorge edges rather than long Alpine ramps. Entry costs €163 (€155 entry, €8 application fee) — €1.92 per kilometre. Founded in 1995, Les Templiers is one of France's oldest trail races, held as part of a three-day festival drawing approximately 13,000 runners across all distances. The Grand Trail consistently sells out — the 2026 edition (the 32nd) is waitlist only. The race is back-loaded: the hardest climbs and the steepest descent (−17.4% average, arriving in the final 3km) hit when runners are deepest in fatigue. Around 2,400 runners finished the most recent edition. Nearest airport is Montpellier (MPL), approximately 1.5 hours by car. It suits experienced trail runners who want a major, festive event with genuine terrain, a 2,400-strong finish field, and a legitimate claim to being France's defining autumn ultra.
Élévation et Terrain
Mètres totaux
3,443m
D+/KM
42.6m/km
Pour référence, le Tor des Géants 330 km a 73 D+/km.
Pente montante moyenne
12.6%
Pente descendante moyenne
-10.9%
Distribution du gradient de montée
| 2–5% | 7.6 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 8 km | |
| 10–15% | 5.2 km | |
| 15–20% | 2.6 km | |
| 20%+ | 5.9 km |
Profil de parcours
AnalysedDétail du terrain
| 36.6% | Montée |
|---|---|
| 21.7% | Plat |
| 41.7% | Descente |
Terrain
Ascensions
Principales montées
| 1 | 5.6 km · 501 m gain starts km 24 · avg 8.9% · max 47.1% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 7.1 km · 473 m gain starts km 2 · avg 6.6% · max 49.5% |
| 3 | 4.5 km · 469 m gain starts km 69 · avg 10.4% · max 55.9% |
Principales descentes
| 1 | 5 km · 449 m drop starts km 44 · avg -9% · max -35.7% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 2.6 km · 449 m drop starts km 77 · avg -17.4% · max -56.1% |
| 3 | 4.6 km · 396 m drop starts km 65 · avg -9% · max -38% |
Les Templiers Grand Trail: France's Oldest Ultra, Measured
What Makes Les Templiers Different from Every Other French Ultra?▼
Q: How hard is the Les Templiers Grand Trail? A: Moderate by European ultra standards — 42.6m/km elevation gain with 21.7% flat terrain. The challenge is structural: the hardest climbs and the steepest descent (−17.4% average) are concentrated in the final 30km.
Course Profile — Limestone Plateaus, Gorge Edges, and Why the Back Half Is the Real Race▼
Q: Does Les Templiers sell out? A: Yes, consistently. The 2026 edition (the 32nd) is waitlist only. Plan 12 months ahead for future editions.
€1.92 per Kilometre — What You Get for the Entry Fee▼
Q: What is the entry fee for Les Templiers? A: €163 total — €155 entry plus a mandatory €8 application fee — equivalent to €1.92 per kilometre.
Getting There: Millau, the Viaduct, and Logistics from Montpellier▼
Q: When does the 2026 Les Templiers take place? A: Race day is Sunday, October 18, 2026. The festival runs October 15–18.
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.
