Tarn Valley Trail 2027

“A trail deeply rooted in the territory, showcasing local know-how and integrating the local community network”.

It would be hard to better sum up such a unique and distinctive race. Welcome to the Gorges and the Tarn Valley for the Tarn Valley Trail 👌. This trail nature race, known as point-to-point, right in the heart of the Cévennes, will take you along the brand-new GR 736. Following the course of the Tarn, you’ll marvel at the complexity and soul of this region and of this river—sometimes so soothing, sometimes so menacing 💦. This planet-minded ♻️ race, which generates zero carbon emissions during its preparation and throughout the event, will offer you a true immersion within the Cévennes National Park (thanks to the authorities for the special authorization), and trust us—the effort will be worth it. 🕯

On the program for the Tarn Valley Trail, 3 distances, each of which will find its audience, starting with the flagship event: a trail of 159 km with 6,480 meters of positive elevation gain. Suffice it to say you’ll need to be well prepared to hope to finish within the time limit—or to finish at all 😄. A trail crafted by masters of running, creators of Endurance magazine and organizers notably of the Trail en Aubrac, the Hivernal des Templiers and also the Festival des Templiers 😍. These races, which welcome thousands of participants every year, are among the most renowned and widely praised trail running events in France. The Tarn Valley Trail aims to remain rather intimate and exclusive, with few bibs sold. This choice by the organizers makes the race even more appealing, thanks to the rarity of the pass that will allow you to set off and take on the region. 🤗

The meeting point is therefore set in the municipality of Vialas, and more precisely in the village of Mas de la Barque, a holiday cottage village located on Mont Lozère, the highest point in the Cévennes, right in the heart of the Lozère department. The department of Lozère, in May, will treat you to ideal temperatures for running in the great outdoors ☀️. Bright sunshine, the right mildness for intense efforts, and a refreshing morning coolness. Because yes—you’ll definitely need to be refreshed, given the menu that awaits you. 😎

And what should you expect from the course? After your start from Mas de la Barque, in silence so as not to disturb the tranquility of the place 🤫, you will run along the Tarn and discover many small villages, each more charming and welcoming than the last 🤩. You will also be amazed by the depth of the Gorges du Tarn, and the vastness of the cliffs that will surround you 😲. You’ll have the chance (or not) to climb the Causse Méjean four times, just to drain whatever little energy you have left in reserve 🥵. You’ll be able to recharge it nonetheless by breathing in the scents of the vineyards you’ll pass through and admiring the beauty of the troglodyte hamlets of Saint Marcellin and Eglasines. The highlight of your race: the ascent to the summit of the Causse Noir with a passage at Pouncho d'Agast, rising to 840 meters above sea level, before arriving in Millau.

Because good things never come alone, the organizers allow the use of a pacer over a section covering the last 53 kilometers of the race. But what is a pacer? A quick history lesson: during the conquest of the West 🇺🇸, trappers never traveled without their “second,” who was in charge of safety, carrying food, and taking care of the horses and the camp 🏕. A real godsend for these hunters. Used in all American Ultra Trails, this pacer will be introduced at the Tarn Valley Trail. Help that could prove valuable to get you through the final kilometers in the best conditions, run into Millau with peace of mind, and cross the finish line alone—or accompanied by your faithful road companion. 🤝

This year, two new races are appearing: a marathon and a 16 km. The latter, entitled La Voie Unique, will take you from Saint Georges de Luzencon to the legendary city of Millau, known for its viaduct. These two new distances will allow less experienced runners to join the celebration and discover the sublime landscapes the region has to offer. 🤩

We assume that all these efforts and adventures have very likely made you want to discover the region’s cultural heritage (without running) and its gastronomy. So we’ve put together a little plan for you to do it in the best possible way ✌️. For sightseeing, we highly recommend going to discover La Couvertoirade, this medieval village seemingly frozen in time, home to one of the rare castles (dating back to the 12th century) built by the Templars in France, as well as the Millau Belfry, which will offer you a breathtaking view over the whole city 🔭. Of course, we won’t forget the legendary Millau Viaduct, standing 343 meters tall. On the gastronomy side, the ancestor of the famous cassoulet, the chichoulet, is a must, as are the pink garlic soup from Lautrec 🥣 and the famous aligot. For dessert, a good apple croustade should delight your taste buds. 😋

The Tarn Valley Trail is a bit like discovering the valley of happiness, so come measure yourself against others in the Cévennes! 💪