Grand Raid des Pyrénées Tour des Lacs 80.9km: Alpine Loop from Vielle-Aure to the Pic du Midi

The Grand Raid des Pyrénées Tour des Lacs is an 80.9-kilometre loop ultra trail starting and finishing in Vielle-Aure, in the Hautes-Pyrénées, France. The course accumulates 5,100 metres of elevation gain across the Néouvielle natural reserve, passing the Pic du Midi de Bigorre at 2,877 metres before returning via the Col de Portet. The race is part of the Grand Raid des Pyrénées festival, a five-day August event with approximately 8,000 participants across multiple distances. It is a UTMB Index 100K-category race and has been organised since 2012 by the Association Majuschule.

The Tour des Lacs is one of the most vertically demanding 80-kilometre trail races in Europe. At 68.4 metres of elevation gain per kilometre, it ranks 47th out of approximately 390 trail races in the DiscoverTrailRaces database — top 12 percent for vertical density globally. The single largest descent covers 1,410 metres of drop and ranks 33rd. Just 12 percent of the course is flat; the remaining 88 percent is continuously ascending or descending. The official course notes specifically warn that numerous mountain-trail sections are difficult to run, particularly in the Néouvielle area and around the Hourquette Nère. Best runners finish in around 10 hours; the cutoff is 25 hours.

The entry fee for the Tour des Lacs (80.9km) is approximately 126 euros, placing it in the 1.5 to 2 euros per kilometre price band. Registration is managed through NJUKO at njuko.com. The 2026 edition is sold out. The race has historically sold out, making early registration in the annual window essential. Check grandraidpyrenees.com for current entry and refund policy.

The Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2,877 metres) is the highest point on the Tour des Lacs route and one of the most iconic summits in the French Pyrenees. It is home to a celebrated astronomical observatory that has operated since the 19th century and sits within a designated dark-sky zone. Runners summit it at approximately kilometre 41 via the Col de Sencours aid station, then descend back before continuing into the Néouvielle natural reserve for the second major section of high lakes and passes.

The Tour des Lacs 2026 starts on Saturday 21 August at 5am from the Vielle-Aure square in the Hautes-Pyrénées. The nearest major airport is Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS), approximately 115 minutes by car. The Saint-Lary-Soulan area offers the strongest accommodation options, which should be booked well in advance given the festival draws around 8,000 participants. Public transport involves a train or bus to Tarbes or Lannemezan followed by a connecting bus or taxi to Saint-Lary — a car is strongly recommended.