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Royat Trail Tour 2026

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Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons
Trail
🏞 Nature⛰ Mountain
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The event in a few words

Lace up your sneakers—we’re taking you for a dip... in your own sweat, in the heart of the volcanoes! 🌋 The Royat Trail Tour is the must-attend event for all lovers of running who want to take on volcanic rock in the Puy-de-Dôme, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 📍 region. The trail is pretty much the reason Royat Terre de Trail exists—they happily organize this event every year 🗓️. They look nice on paper, but out on the course, you can forget about the flatlands: here you’re on the lands of the Chaîne des Puys and the Limagne fault, a UNESCO World Heritage site! 🌟 The place is already a big deal, and it’ll have you dreaming the whole way around 🏞️. It’s ROY-AL in Royat. Oh yes—and the vibe matches the local land: authentic, solid, and insanely welcoming 🫂. So whether you’re a regular on the summits or a Sunday trail runner, the locals’ welcome will make you forget your calves are begging for mercy 🫨.

For this event, format-wise, the organization went big! 👟 There’s something for everyone (and every level of suffering 🙊), with three clearly distinct distances 📊. We start gently with the "Royadaise" of 13 km with 600 mD+. A great route for those who want to sprint between the thermal baths without ending up completely rusted (get it—Royat, rust 🤪). Then we step it up a notch and double down with the “ Roca Neyra ”, its 27 km and 1,200 mD+. Ahhhh, now the calves start to sting, and the climbs become your cardio’s best friends 🥵. We finish with a chore legendary distance: the “ Tectonique Trail ” of 42 km. A marathon, but the hard version, offering 1,800 mD+ 🔥. We hope to see you busting out your best dance moves between two hills, or analyzing the earth’s movements beneath your feet! 💃 Cherry on top for trail nerds 🤓: the “Roca Neyra” earns 1 ITRA point, the “Tectonique Trail” earns 2, and both races also count toward the UTMB Index. They award, respectively: 1 and 2 points each. 

Show’s over, clock stopped, aid station demolished—that’s a proper finish 🏁. But don’t rush off too fast: the region is packed with gems to discover. 🏰 You’re in Royat, the ultimate spa town, so what could be better than going to loosen up your muscles in the local hot waters? 💦 Still got some energy? Head to the top of Puy de Dôme or admire the cathedral of Clermont-Ferrand, carved from Volvic’s black stone ⛪. When it comes to food, get ready for a legendary feast: here, truffade is queen and Saint-Nectaire is a religion. 🧀 Time to see if your stomach is as tough as your mind, just like the trails you just ran 🏃‍♂️. Between two chunks of cheese, you can balance your meal with a real Auvergne-style potée, packed with flavor 🥘. You’ll need a good digestion walk, so head into the streets of Clermont-Ferrand or go explore the Gorges de l'Artière 🏞️.

So, what are you waiting for? Come wake up the volcano inside you and show those domes what kind of rock you’re made of! 🔥

4 reasons to join this race

A UNESCO-listed setting 🌍
The Royat Trail Tour gives you the opportunity to traverse a geological history that is millions of years old 🪨. Running on the Chaîne des Puys, you’ll get a natural backdrop so impressive you’d almost think you were on another planet. The ideal spot for killer profile pics—well, if you have time, because you might suffer a bit 📸.
ITRA points up for grabs 🏅
End of the season means every point counts! The “Roca Neyra” earns 1 ITRA point and the “Tectonique Trail” earns 2 🎯. Both longer distances also count toward the UTMB Index—perfect for polishing your trail rating before winter.
Thermal recovery 🧖‍♂️
It’s the ultimate trail runner luxury! After beating up your ankles on volcanic rocks, you can enjoy the Royat thermal baths 💧. Basically, it’s naturally warm, mineral-rich spring water used for health and wellness treatments. And in Royat, the baths are known in particular for treating blood circulation issues and joint pain 💪.
Comforting local food 🥘
Let’s be honest—we also run for what comes after the race. Auvergne is a paradise of cheese and hearty dishes. A good truffade after a trail run is a guaranteed way to get your spirits back (and a few calories) in record time 🧀.

A distance for every taste

42 km: The Tectonique Trail

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Trail🏞 Nature⛰ Mountain
  • Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM
  • Elevation gain : 1800mD+
  • 42 km
  • 2 ITRA points

A few more words

The “Tectonique Trail” lives up to its name: this nature marathon follows the Limagne fault, the escarpment that separates the Clermont plain from the Chaîne des Puys 🗺️. After an initial loop north of Royat, shared with the “Roca Neyra,” the route heads south for a long breakaway along the ridgelines and through the forests overlooking the urban area 🌄. Technical singletrack, forest paths, and runnable sections follow one another, with Royat, Clermont-Ferrand, and the Puy de Dôme as a backdrop 🔭.. The profile strings together relentless ups and downs over 1,800 mD+, and the high point doesn’t arrive until the final third—enough to test your race management 😮‍💨. Two passes at the Gravenoire lower aid station set the rhythm of the day, before one last descent toward Le Breuil and a well-earned final sprint 🎖️. A committed trail, best saved for runners who already have a few nature marathons in their legs.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

You can pick up your bib:

  • At the ATHLERUNNING Clermont-Sud store, 3 Rue Chazots 63170 Aubière, for all races on:

    • Saturday, November 7, 2026 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

    • Friday, November 13, 2026 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

    • Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

  • At the Breuil Sports Complex, Chemin du Breuil 63130 Royat on:

    • Sunday, November 15, 2026:

      • from 6:30 am to 7:30 am for the 42 km

      • from 7:15 am to 8:30 am for the 27 km

      • from 7:15 am to 9:45 am for the 13 km

The races will start at the Breuil sports complex in Royat, on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at:

  • 8:00 am for the "Tectonique Trail" (42 km)

  • 9:00 am for the "Roca Neyra" (27 km)

  • 10:15 am for the "Royadaise" (13 km)

No, it is not mandatory; however, you will need to present one of the following documents:

  • FFA running license

  • FFA competition license

  • FFA company license

  • Valid PPS (Health Prevention Course)

Yes, you must be:

  • Junior category for the “Royadaise” (13 km)

  • U23 category for the “Roca Neyra” (27 km) and the “Tectonique Trail” (42 km)

The 2026 fees are as follows:

  • €42 for the “Tectonique Trail” (42 km)

  • €27 for the “Roca Neyra” (27 km)

  • €15 for the “Royadaise” (13 km)

Yes, here they are:

  • For the 13 km: none

  • For the 27 km: at 11:30 am at the aid station located at km 15 (2h30 of racing)

  • For the 42 km:

    • Cut-off 1: at 10:30 am at the aid station “Ravito Gravenoire” at km 15 (2h30 of racing)

    • Cut-off 2: at 1:15 pm at the aid station “Ravito Gravenoire” at km 29 (5h15 of racing)

Aid stations are planned at km:

  • For the 13 km: a liquids-only aid station at km 5.5 (bottom of La Pauze), then a full aid station at the finish

  • For the 27 km: at km 9: water point (Stade du Breuil) + at km 15: full aid station (bottom of Gravenoire) + full aid station at the finish

  • For the 42 km: at km 9: water point (Stade du Breuil) + at km 15: full aid station (bottom of Gravenoire) + at km 29: full aid station (bottom of Gravenoire) + full aid station at the finish

Yes, here it is:

  • Mandatory gear:

    • Personal cup (eco-cup type) to be presented at aid stations or water points

    • Water reserve

    • Food reserve

    • Headlamp in good working order with new batteries and/or a fully charged battery for the 42 km

    • Emergency blanket for the 42 km

    • Mobile phone for the 42 km. The phone must be switched on throughout the race and the runner must be reachable at any time.

  • Recommended or suggested gear (non-exhaustive list):

    • Mobile phone

    • Gloves, beanie, warm and waterproof clothing in case of bad weather

  • Prohibited equipment:

    • Earphones are prohibited when crossing roads and in town. However, there are no restrictions in natural areas.

Yes, a bag drop service is offered to participants of all 3 races, at the start area at the Breuil sports complex, inside the gymnasium.

If you still have questions, you can contact the organizers by email: royat.terredetrail@gmail.com

To become a volunteer for this race, you need to send your application to royat.terredetrail@gmail.com

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