France · Occitanie (Aveyron)
Distance
81 km
Date
Entry fee
€155
€ / km
€1.92
Les Templiers Grand Trail: France's Oldest Ultra, Measured
Les Templiers Endurance Trail — officially the Grand Trail des Templiers — is an 80.7 km trail race held in October in the Aveyron, Occitanie, southern France. The course gains 3,443m (42.6 m/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 12.6% 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 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), 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.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
3,443m
D+/KM
42.6m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
12.6%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-10.9%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 7.6 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 8.0 km | |
| 10–15% | 5.2 km | |
| 15–20% | 2.6 km | |
| 20%+ | 5.9 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 36.6% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 21.7% | Flat |
| 41.7% | Downhill |
Terrain
Les Templiers Endurance Trail – 80.73 km 81km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 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% |
Top descents
| 1 | 5.0 km · 449 m drop starts km 44 · avg -9.0% · 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 -9.0% · max -38.0% |
Moderate Numbers, Harder Reality: What the Causses Back-Half Actually Tests
How hard is the Les Templiers Grand Trail?
▼
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.
Waitlist Only: How Les Templiers 80km's Sell-Out Pattern Works
Does Les Templiers sell out?
▼
Yes, consistently. The 2026 edition (the 32nd) is waitlist only. Plan 12 months ahead for future editions.
What is the entry fee for Les Templiers?
What is the entry fee for Les Templiers?▼
€163 total — €155 entry plus a mandatory €8 application fee — equivalent to €1.92 per kilometre.
When Les Templiers Endurance Trail 80.7km Runs: October Race Day and Festival Weekend
When does the 2026 Les Templiers take place?
▼
Race day is Sunday, October 18, 2026. The festival runs October 15–18.
Montpellier Airport and the Drive to Millau: Les Templiers Logistics
Which airport should I fly into for Les Templiers?
▼
Montpellier (MPL) is the closest major airport, approximately 1.5 hours by car from Millau.
Les Templiers Endurance Trail – 80.73 km 81km GPX
Getting to Les Templiers Endurance Trail – 80.73 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.
