France · Occitanie (Aveyron)
Distance
100 km
Date
Entry fee
€160
€ / km
€1.61
Les Templiers Endurance Trail 99.5K: France's Pioneer Ultra, Measured
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 12.4% is estimated in the top 10% of European trail races.
The race's iconic finale: La Cade descent (km 95.88, 452m drop, 16.4% 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 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.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
4,304m
D+/KM
43.3m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
12.4%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-11.3%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 9.9 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 9.5 km | |
| 10–15% | 7.2 km | |
| 15–20% | 3.7 km | |
| 20%+ | 7.2 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 37.8% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 21.2% | Flat |
| 40.9% | Downhill |
Terrain
Les Templiers Endurance Trail – 99.5 km 100km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 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 | 5.0 km · 429 m gain starts km 28 · avg 8.6% · max 42.7% |
Top descents
| 1 | 2.8 km · 452 m drop starts km 96 · avg -16.4% · max -64.0% |
|---|---|
| 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 -6.0% · max -39.3% |
Three Causses, Three Gorges, and La Cade: What Makes Les Templiers Hard Endurance Trail 99.5km Hard
How hard is Les Templiers Endurance Trail 99.5K?
▼
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.
Waitlist Only: Does Les Templiers Endurance Trail 100km sell out?
Waitlist Only: Does Les Templiers Endurance Trail 100km sell out?▼
Yes — historically in under one hour. The 2026 Endurance Trail is on waiting list only as of May 2026.
WSER and UTMB Qualifier: What a Les Templiers Endurance Trail 100km Finisher Earns
Is Les Templiers a WSER or UTMB qualifier?
▼
Yes to both. Sub-19h finish qualifies for Western States 100 2027 lottery. The race is a UTMB 100K indexed event.
Les Templiers Endurance Trail 100 km: Entry Fee and a One-Time Registration Decision
How much does Les Templiers Endurance Trail cost?
▼
€168 total (€160 entry + €8 application fee). Cancellation insurance (80% refund) must be selected at registration — cannot be added later.
Montpellier Airport and a Long Drive: Getting to Les Templiers 99.5K
How do I get to Les Templiers start?
▼
This race is flagged FAR. Montpellier Airport (MPL) is approximately 2–3 hours by road to Causse Noir near Millau. A car is recommended; public transport connections to Millau are slow. Book accommodation in Millau early. Bib pickup Friday October 16, 3h15–3h40 only — pre-arrange by email to inscriptions@templiersevents.com.
Les Templiers Endurance Trail – 99.5 km 100km GPX
Getting to Les Templiers Endurance Trail – 99.5 km
Nearest airport
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.
