France · Occitanie (Hautes-Pyrénées)
Distance
125 km
Date
Entry fee
€175
€ / km
€1.40
New date pending
This race has already occurred. A new date for next year’s edition is pending.
Grand Raid des Pyrénées Tour des Cirques: Why the Lottery Is Worth Entering a Year Early
The Grand Raid des Pyrénées Tour des Cirques is a 124.8km alpine trail race held each August in the Hautes-Pyrénées, France, starting from Piau-Engaly with the event based in Vielle-Aure. The course covers approximately 7,000–7,500m of elevation gain — around 56m per kilometre — placing it in the more demanding third of DTR's database by elevation density. Entry costs €175, or €1.40 per kilometre.
The route traverses the Néouvielle natural reserve, Cirque de Barroude, and the highest passes of the central Pyrenees, descending through glacial lake terrain above 2,000m. The top single descent drops 1,588m over 11.34km — one of the 25 largest point-to-point descents in DTR's database — and it begins just 14km from the start. Average uphill gradient is 13.39% and just 11.8% of the course is flat terrain. Toulouse (TLS) is approximately 115 minutes away.
Registration is lottery-based and the Tour des Cirques sold out for 2026; the lottery closes in January each year. A qualifying race is required to enter. Founded in 2017, it suits experienced mountain runners who thrive on sustained descending, dramatic Pyrenean terrain, and events worth planning a year in advance.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
7,004m
D+/KM
56.1m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
13.4%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-14.1%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 9.2 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 14.3 km | |
| 10–15% | 11.2 km | |
| 15–20% | 7.5 km | |
| 20%+ | 10.3 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 42.0% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 11.8% | Flat |
| 46.2% | Downhill |
Terrain
Grand Raid des Pyrénées – 124.8 km 125km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 12.0 km · 1,142 m gain starts km 33 · avg 9.5% · max 50.5% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 9.3 km · 1,037 m gain starts km 94 · avg 11.2% · max 43.6% |
| 3 | 6.1 km · 799 m gain starts km 79 · avg 13.2% · max 50.0% |
Top descents
| 1 | 11.3 km · 1,588 m drop starts km 14 · avg -14.0% · max -64.1% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 11.4 km · 1,416 m drop starts km 113 · avg -12.4% · max -45.3% |
| 3 | 8.8 km · 817 m drop starts km 85 · avg -9.0% · max -53.6% |
How Hard is the Grand Raid des Pyrénées 124.8km?
How Hard is the Grand Raid des Pyrénées 124.8km?▼
Very demanding. The 124.8km course has approximately 7,000–7,500m of gain (~56m/km) and steeper than approximately 350 of 390 distances in DTR's database. The time limit is 41 hours. A qualifying race with ITRA/effort points is required to enter. Only a portion of the course is flat terrain, and nearly half is descending.
Registration and Timeline: How does the Grand Raid des Pyrénées Lottery Work?
Registration and Timeline: How does the Grand Raid des Pyrénées Lottery Work?▼
Registration is lottery-based. Pre-registration for the 2026 lottery closed January 15, 2026 at 8am; the Tour des Cirques distance sold out once the lottery closed. To enter the 2027 edition, sign up for the lottery well ahead of the January closing date — late entrants cannot join. A qualifying race (with ITRA/effort points from January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2025 for 2026) is also required.
Weather and Climate Guide: Grand Raid des Pyrénées Tour des Cirques 124.8km
How does the mountain weather affect runners during the Grand Raid des Pyrénées Tour des Cirques?
▼
When you're out racing in the Pyrenees in August, expect a bit of everything. The organizers will require you to prepare for cold snaps, scorching heat, heavy rain, fierce winds, and sudden storms. Because the course takes you high up into the mountains (between 1,800 and 2,500 meters), the weather can change rapidly. The lower valleys usually stay a comfortable 15–25°C, the high mountain passes can quickly go to a chilly 5–15°C.
How Much Does the Grand Raid des Pyrénées Cost
How much does the Grand Raid des Pyrénées Tour des Cirques cost?
▼
Entry is €175 until April 30, then €187. At €175 that's €1.40 per kilometre — mid-range for a European alpine 100km+ event.
Airports and Accommodations: How to get to Grand Raid des Pyrénées from Toulouse?
Airports and Accommodations: How to get to Grand Raid des Pyrénées from Toulouse?▼
Toulouse Blagnac (TLS) is the nearest airport, approximately 115 minutes by road from the Vielle-Aure / Saint-Lary-Soulan event base. Train to Tarbes or Lannemezan then bus or taxi to Saint-Lary is the public transport option; a car is strongly recommended. Book accommodation in Saint-Lary early — it is a busy ski resort base and fills quickly in summer.
Getting to Grand Raid des Pyrénées – 124.8 km
Nearest airport
Toulouse (TLS)
Notes
Start: ~2–2.75 hrs drive to Vielle-Aure/Saint-Lary-Soulan area / Public transport: train/bus to Tarbes/Lannemezan + bus/taxi to Saint-Lary / Accommodation: strong in Saint-Lary; book early
