France · Occitanie (Aveyron)
Distance
81 km
Date
Entry fee
€155
€ / km
€1.92
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.
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%
| 2–5% | 7.6 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 8.0 km | |
| 10–15% | 5.2 km | |
| 15–20% | 2.6 km | |
| 20%+ | 5.9 km |
| 36.6% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 21.7% | Flat |
| 41.7% | Downhill |
| 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% |
| 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 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.
Yes, consistently. The 2026 edition (the 32nd) is waitlist only. Plan 12 months ahead for future editions.
€163 total — €155 entry plus a mandatory €8 application fee — equivalent to €1.92 per kilometre.
Race day is Sunday, October 18, 2026. The festival runs October 15–18.
Montpellier (MPL) is the closest major airport, approximately 1.5 hours by car from Millau.
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.
Ibiza Trail Maratón 48 km
Exclusive Discount - use ITMF-DISCOVERTRAIL26 CODE for 50% at checkout
