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Trail of Haute Provence (THP) 2026

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The event in a few words

The Trail of Haute Provence is preparing this year for its 11th edition! ๐ŸŽ‚ After blowing its first ten candles last year it's time for the THP to get back to serious business. ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ So, we hope you have a strong heart, because it's going to climb! โฌ†๏ธ Forcalquier, a lovely commune in Provence-Alpes-Cรดte dโ€™Azur, welcomes you in the month of May for the Trail of Haute Provence (THP) ๐ŸŒธ. Not just any time, during the Ascension weekend! No more excuses, you already know your schedule for the holiday! The climate will (hopefully) be mild and springy โ˜€๏ธ. To give you a preview of what to expect, the city's motto is: "higher than the Alps". One thing is for sure, your calves are going to burn! ๐Ÿฅต

Before definitely scaring tempting you, let's quickly set the scene. Forcalquier will be your starting point ๐Ÿ“. Situated at the edge of the Via Domitia, in the heart of the Luberon and the Lure mountain โ›ฐ, this historic commune, located at 651 m of altitude, has it all. Purely Provenรงal charm to give you a beautiful foretaste of all the treasures your race holds... ๐Ÿ˜

Regarding distances, let's just say you will have choices. 10 events are organized during the Trail of Haute Provence, so rest assured you will find a challenge that fits ๐Ÿฆถ. Small and cute, the "Forcalquier Challenge" 10 km, is the baby of the event to be done solo or with your company thanks to the "THP10 pro" format. The "THP20", with its 21 km, is eagerly awaiting you to explore its trails ๐ŸŒณ. Otherwise, you can challenge yourself on "THP30" and its 28 km or the "THP 40" and its 39 km that will make you sweat ๐Ÿฅต. The "THP50", "THP65" and the 79 km of the "THP80" will also open their doors to you (also doable in relay). Then, the "THP120", a nice 120 km for the brave. Itโ€™s up to you to see if youโ€™re ready to cross them ๐Ÿ˜‰. Finally, the (very) big chunk ๐Ÿฅฉ: "THP160", with its 160 km and its 7,000 mD+ (ahhhh!) ๐Ÿ˜ฑ. If you are really too scared, there is the "THP160" in relay! Let's not lie, it's demanding and you will need to be trained! If you're still a trail newbie ๐Ÿง€, no worries, you can turn to the "THP solidarity" and its 10 km to be done walking or running. And finally a Nordic walk of 10 km is offered! In any case, regardless of the distance chosen, it's in the middle of nature ๐ŸŒณ that you will complete your THP event. Between ridges, rocky corners, typically Provenรงal vegetation ๐Ÿชป you will be amazed! ๐Ÿ‘€ If you opt for "THP160", it will certainly be very physically demanding, but you will enjoy breathtaking views of the peaks ๐Ÿ‘†. You will also pass on the Lure mountain and its very welcoming fauna. Some deer, roe deer, and foxes roam it regularly ๐ŸฆŠ. In short, you might almost forget the elevation! ๐Ÿ™„ And the cherry on the cake is that there are even races for the kiddos: the "THP awakening" of 500 m for those aged 3 to 9, the "THP discovery" of 1 km for those aged 10 to 11, the "THP junior" and the "THP teen" of 3km for those aged 12 to 15.

After your race, if you have some strength left, we suggest visiting the land of Giono, the dream Provence, and its picturesque places. And in Forcalquier there are plenty of places to discover: the Citadel, the old town, or the narrow alleys are just some of the things you can admire during your visit. If you want to rest your legs, sit on a terrace and enjoy the spring sun while savoring a local pastis, always with moderation! ๐Ÿฅƒ

4 reasons to join this race

Everyone has their distance ๐Ÿƒ
10 races scheduled ranging from 10 km to 160 km, trail, Nordic walking... No doubt, you'll find what you're looking for during this grand adventure! ๐Ÿ˜‰ Whether with friends or family, all teams can participate, even the children!
Provence in its purest form ๐Ÿ˜
Ascents, descents, trails in the middle of nature that will make you discover the riches of Provence... Among ridges, mountains, pine and beech forests, lavender fields, white rocks, viewpoints, and incredible landscapes await you at the Trail of Haute Provence ๐Ÿ–ผ. Memories guaranteed!
An ideal climate โ˜€๏ธ
With its springtime mildness and calm before summer, May is really the ideal month to come run in Provence. It will be between 16ยฐC and 20ยฐC, you might even feel like shedding a layer! ๐Ÿ˜œ
A festive atmosphere ๐Ÿ”ฅ
With its villages straight out of the Middle Ages, supporters who can come cheer you on at some refreshment points, a THP village in celebration at the finish line, one thing is certain, you will not be disappointed by the landscapes or the atmosphere during the Trail of Haute Provence! ๐ŸŽ‰

A distance for every taste

165.5โ€‰km : THP 160

TrailThe most popular
  • Friday, May 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM
  • Elevation gainย :ย 7000mD+
  • 6 ITRA points
  • 1 loopx165.5โ€‰km

A few more words

"The Ultra of Provence" is the longest and most complex event of this full-scale experience. 168 km, 7,400 mD+, we can assure you, your calves will be on fire! ๐Ÿ”ฅ It's no wonder this race is part of the UTMB World Series ๐ŸŒŽ. And, if you prefer running as a team, this race is also available in a relay format ๐Ÿ‘ฏ, with a team of nine, how classy ๐Ÿ˜Ž.

Regarding the route, the starting signal will be given in Forcalquier, at 6 PM ๐Ÿ, and on that evening, even before it begins, you'll already be in the mood! A crowd of supporters will be there to give you a great boost ๐ŸŽ‰. Headlamp on your head ๐Ÿ”ฆ, you'll embark on your first crazy night in the hills of Forcalquier ๐ŸŒ™. You'll first head towards the hamlet of Ybourgues, and then proceed to the village of Limans.

After these first steps that will get you started ๐Ÿ›, you'll head to Ongles, and there, remember to turn your headlamp to full power because you'll pass through the remarkable ruins of Viรจres, a spectacle not to be missed! ๐Ÿค“ After this visual feast, your first refreshment stop will await you. You can catch your breath and regain strength (which you'll need ๐Ÿค•). This well-deserved break will be brief, as your next step will be to pass through the villages of Lardiers. Beware, it's uphill! ๐Ÿ“ˆ But after these challenging 50 km, a refreshment stop will welcome you with open arms. Enough to comfort you and give you courage for what's next ๐Ÿ’ช.

So what's next? It goes on (and on), heading towards the Lure station, marking the 70th km, which will be your first life base. A beautiful technical descent will lead you to the Vallon de Briau where you can catch your breath ๐Ÿ˜ด. You'll need a lot of mental strength and courage to continue facing "The Summit of Man" โ›ฐ. The 5 km left to reach the Lure station will seem much easier. Upon arrival, you can enjoy a warm break with a good meal. Enough to recharge your batteries! โœ… The trails of Contadour, with the majestic Mountain of Lure in the background, will bring you closer to the most iconic section of the course. Your calves will still take another hit with the numerous ascents, but we promise, it's worth it! Under the first rays of the sun, Lure's ridges will unfold before you step by step. Stop for a few minutes to admire this 360ยฐ view. A sunrise over the Lure mountain is not something everyone gets to experience. So, you'll need to savor this magical, timeless spectacle ๐ŸŒ„.

You'll have tackled the hardest part! After this brief downtime, you'll head towards Jas des Bailles. You can pick up the pace and enjoy yourself on the technical descents. But in trail running, everything you descend, you must climb back up! So, prepare to climb to its 913 m altitude before descending towards Saint-Etienne-les-Orgues, a small village at the foot of Lure. At that point, you'll have already covered 110 km! ๐Ÿ˜ฎ But no time to rest. You'll continue, this time in a more Provenรงal landscape ๐Ÿ’œ and more regular. No more big climbs and big descents, you'll now run at a lower altitude. It will also be time to turn your headlamp back on! You'll discover splendid hamlets, including Sigonce, where you'll find a refreshment stop, before reaching the village of Fontienne where the last refreshment stop will be located.

You'll then be at the foot of the Truques climb, the last challenge of the course. You'll see Forcalquier, in the distance, waiting for you with open arms ๐Ÿ‘Ÿ. But to reach it, you'll need to cross the geological site of Mourres, with its stone mushrooms ๐Ÿ„, whose history began 25 million years ago. Final moments of the race: the finish line ๐Ÿ. With countless memories, the celebration will continue in the THP village and in Forcalquier. It will be hard to come down from your little cloud after this magnificent 168 km adventure! ๐Ÿ˜

GPX

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Here are the start times and locations for the races:

  • For the THP160: Start Friday, May 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM from Forcalquier.

  • For the THP120: Start Friday, May 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM from Forcalquier.

  • For the THP30: Start Friday, May 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM from Forcalquier.

  • For the THP40: Start Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 8:00 AM from Limans.

  • For the THP50: Start Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 10:00 AM from Montlaux.

  • For the THP65: Start Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 5:00 AM from Lardiers.

  • For the THP80: Start Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 6:30 AM from Ongles.

  • For the THP80 relay: Start Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 6:30 AM from Ongles.

  • For the THP10: Start Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM from Forcalquier.

  • For the THP20: Start Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 8:00 AM from Forcalquier.

  • For the THP Junior: Start Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM from Forcalquier.

Here are the race fees:

For the THP160:

  • Fee until 12/31/25: โ‚ฌ180

  • Fee until 12/31/25: โ‚ฌ200

  • Fee until 12/31/25: โ‚ฌ220

For the THP120:

  • Fee until 12/31/25: โ‚ฌ140

  • Fee until 03/31/26: โ‚ฌ155

  • Fee until 05/10/26: โ‚ฌ170

For the THP80:

  • Fee until 12/31/25: โ‚ฌ100

  • Fee until 03/31/26: โ‚ฌ110

  • Fee until 05/10/26: โ‚ฌ120

For the THP80 relay:

  • Fee until 12/31/25: โ‚ฌ30

  • Fee until 03/31/26: โ‚ฌ35

  • Fee until 05/10/26: โ‚ฌ40

For the THP65:

  • Fee until 12/31/25: โ‚ฌ105

  • Fee until 03/31/26: โ‚ฌ95

  • Fee until 05/10/26: โ‚ฌ85

For the THP50:

  • Fee until 04/30/25: โ‚ฌ90

  • Fee until 05/25/25: โ‚ฌ80

  • Fee until 05/10/26: โ‚ฌ70

For the THP40:

  • Fee until 12/31/25: โ‚ฌ60

  • Fee until 03/31/26: โ‚ฌ66

  • Fee until 05/10/26: โ‚ฌ73

For the THP10:

  • Fee until 12/31/25: โ‚ฌ20

  • Fee until 03/31/26: โ‚ฌ25

  • Fee until 05/10/26: โ‚ฌ30

For the THP20:

  • Fee until 12/31/25: โ‚ฌ40

  • Fee until 03/31/26: โ‚ฌ45

  • Fee until 05/10/26: โ‚ฌ50

For the THP Junior:

Free

The race registration rights include:

  • The race pack (bib, timing).

  • Access to race and finish line refreshments.

  • Access to showers.

  • Professional medical assistance.

  • The runner's pack upon registration: A runner's t-shirt will be given to you along with your bib. Wearing this t-shirt is mandatory for the first and last 10 km to be classified.

  • The Finisher's lot at the finish line.

  • THP runner's bag with partner gifts.

  • A meal excluding drinks offered by the organization.

  • Transport by the organization of one or more bags provided by the organization (depending on the races).

  • Access to shuttles (paid option available at the time of registration) for the THP80, THP50, THP65, and THP40 races.

  • Live race tracking.

  • Race photos.

  • Access to THP village activities throughout the event.

Bib collection takes place in Forcalquier, at the heart of the village dedicated to the event. It is advisable to park at the Cordeliers parking, 2 minutes walk from the Bonne Fontaine Cultural Space where the THP village is located.

The medical certificate is no longer accepted; you will need to provide a PPS (Health Prevention Pathway) certificate dated less than three months before the race date.

All the information you might need can be found here.

The organizer offers participants of the "THP 80", "THP 50", "THP65" and "THP 40" races, buses departing from Forcalquier to transport them to the race starts. It is recommended to book your seat on the shuttle at the time of your registration, at the time of your choice (2 possible times depending on availability).

The races take place in semi-autonomy. However, a few refreshment points are planned:

THP10 / THP10 pro: 1 refreshment

  • 1 refreshment: Parking des Mourres โ€“ km 5.8

  • Finish: Forcalquier โ€“ km 9.7

THP20: 2 refreshments

  • 1: Ongles โ€“ km 8.2

  • 2: Saumane โ€“ km 17.2

  • Finish: Forcalquier โ€“ km 21.3

THP30: 3 refreshments

  • 1: Ongles โ€“ km 8.2

  • 2: Saumane โ€“ km 17.2

  • 3: Col de la Roche โ€“ km 22.2

  • Finish: Forcalquier โ€“ km 27.7

THP40: 3 refreshments

  • 1: Saumane โ€“ km 9.3

  • 2: Col de la Roche โ€“ km 19.6

  • 3: Baisse de Malcourt โ€“ km 28.8

  • Finish: Forcalquier โ€“ km 39.4

THP50: 4 refreshments

  • 1: Col de la Roche โ€“ km 9.3

  • 2: Caillou โ€“ km 19.6

  • 3: Jas des Bailles โ€“ km 28.8

  • 4: Notre Dame de Lure โ€“ km 37.6

  • Finish: Forcalquier โ€“ km 50

THP65: 7 refreshments

  • 1: Col de la Roche โ€“ km 6

  • 2: Baisse de Malcourt โ€“ km 12.1

  • 3: Caillou โ€“ km 16.3

  • 4: Jas des Bailles โ€“ km 22.4

  • 5: Notre Dame de Lure โ€“ km 25.2

  • 6: Saint-ร‰tienne-les-Orgues โ€“ km 34.5

  • 7: Montlaux โ€“ km 45.5

  • Finish: Forcalquier โ€“ km 65.2

THP80: 8 refreshments

  • 1: Col de la Roche โ€“ km 9.3

  • 2: Caillou โ€“ km 19.6

  • 3: Jas des Bailles โ€“ km 28.8

  • 4: Notre Dame de Lure โ€“ km 37.6

  • 5: Saint-ร‰tienne-les-Orgues โ€“ km 45.5

  • 6: Montlaux โ€“ km 52.2

  • 7: Parking Ganagobie โ€“ km 60.2

  • 8: Lurs โ€“ km 68.9

  • Finish: Forcalquier โ€“ km 79.4

THP120: 12 refreshments

  • 1: Les Arnaud โ€“ km 10.3

  • 2: Limans โ€“ km 20

  • 3: Ongles โ€“ km 26.1

  • 4: Lardiers โ€“ km 32.1

  • 5: Saumane โ€“ km 42.4

  • 6: Col de la Roche โ€“ km 51.3

  • 7: Baisse de Malcourt โ€“ km 60.6

  • 8: Caillou โ€“ km 74.4

  • 9: Jas des Bailles โ€“ km 83.5

  • 10: Notre Dame de Lure โ€“ km 94.4

  • 11: Saint-ร‰tienne-les-Orgues โ€“ km 102.4

  • 12: Montlaux โ€“ km 111.1

  • Finish: Forcalquier โ€“ km 121.7

THP160: 16 refreshments

  • 1: Les Arnaud โ€“ km 10.3

  • 2: Limans โ€“ km 20

  • 3: Ongles โ€“ km 26.1

  • 4: Lardiers โ€“ km 32.1

  • 5: Saumane โ€“ km 42.4

  • 6: Col de la Roche โ€“ km 51.3

  • 7: Baisse de Malcourt โ€“ km 60.6

  • 8: Caillou โ€“ km 74.4

  • 9: Jas des Bailles โ€“ km 83.5

  • 10: Notre Dame de Lure โ€“ km 94.4

  • 11: Saint-ร‰tienne-les-Orgues โ€“ km 102.4

  • 12: Montlaux โ€“ km 111.1

  • 13: Parking Ganagobie โ€“ km 115.4

  • 14: Lurs โ€“ km 130.4

  • 15: Pierrerue โ€“ km 138

  • 16: Fontienne โ€“ km 144.5

  • Finish: Forcalquier โ€“ km 165.5

Here is the age/category required to participate in the different races:

  • For THP160: Espoir (20 years and older).

  • For THP160: Espoir (20 years and older).

  • For THP80: Espoir (20 years and older).

  • For THP65: Espoir (20 years and older).

  • For the THP50: Espoirs (20 years and older).

  • For the THP40: Espoir (20 years and older).

  • For the THP30: Espoir (20 years and older).

  • For the THP20: Junior (18 years and older).

  • For "THP10" and "THP 10 pro": Cadet (16 years and older).

  • For "The THP Junior": Athletics school to minor.

There are 4 children's/junior courses offered in the competition.

  • Under 10 years: 500 m

  • From 10 to 11 years: 1,100 m

  • From 12 to 13 years: 3,300 m

  • From 14 to 15 years: 3,300 m

Yes, parental authorization is required to participate in the "THP Junior." You can download the certificate directly here, on the last page of the regulations.

Here are the time limits for the races:

  • For THP160: 46 h

  • For THP160: 35 h

  • For THP80: 23 h

  • For THP65: 18 h

  • For the THP50: 13h

  • For the THP40: 10h

  • For the THP30: 7h

  • For the THP20: 4h

  • For "THP10" and "THP 10 pro": 2h30

Yes, there is a list of mandatory equipment to participate. You will find here a detailed list of the mandatory equipment, recommended equipment, as well as the composition of the "heatwave" and "bad weather/Cold weather" packs that may be required in the internal race regulations. This information is visible from page 5, titled "Presentation of races." Be sure to check the race table that suits you, as each list is different!

It is generally very nice in May in Forcalquier with an average temperature of 15ยฐ during this period.

1 runner's meal at the finish line, for participants in the "THP 160", "THP 120", "THP 80", "THP65", "THP 50" races, served in the dedicated THP village! For the "THP 40", "THP 30", "THP 20" and "THP 10" races, the meal is not included in the registration price, but can be reserved as an option when booking the bib.

Do you want to help? Sign up on the website of the race!

You can check the race rules here

Focus

Trail de Haute-Provence (THP)
Trail de Haute-Provence (THP)
Trail de Haute-Provence (THP)
Trail de Haute-Provence (THP)
Trail de Haute-Provence (THP)