Grand Raid des Pyrénées

Next Race

August 19, 2026

133

days to go

The Grand Raid des Pyrénées has been held annually since 2008 in the French Pyrenees, anchored by the Ultra Tour flagship race of 160 kilometers with 10,000 meters of elevation gain. Starting from Vielle-Aure in the Hautes-Pyrénées, the course passes through the cirques of Gavarnie, Estaube, and Troumouse under a 50-hour cutoff. Part of the World Trail Majors series, the event draws more than 6,000 runners across all distances each August.

ITRA 6 Endurance Points

Est.

2008

Distance

160km / 99.4mi

Course

point-to-point

Surface

trail

Elev. Gain

10000m

Field Size

~600

When

August

Time Limit

50h

THE COURSE

Gain

+10000m

MI 0

KM 0

Vielle-Aure Start

The race begins in the village of Vielle-Aure at roughly 850 meters elevation in the Hautes-Pyrénées. Runners set off at dawn under a 50-hour cutoff, heading into the high mountain terrain of the French Pyrenees.

MI 25

KM 40

Col du Tourmalet

The Col du Tourmalet at 2,115 meters is one of the most iconic high passes in the Pyrenees, familiar to fans of the Tour de France. Runners cross it early in the race during a sustained climb out of the valley.

MI 43

KM 70

Pic du Midi de Bigorre

The Pic du Midi de Bigorre reaches 2,877 meters and carries a historic astronomical observatory on its summit. The ascent offers sweeping views across the entire Pyrenean range on clear days.

MI 62

KM 100

Cirque de Gavarnie

The Cirque de Gavarnie is a UNESCO World Heritage glacial amphitheater rising over 1,500 meters from its floor, with Europe's highest waterfall at 422 meters. The course traverses this iconic natural monument near the halfway point.

MI 84

KM 135

Cirque de Troumouse

The Cirque de Troumouse is one of the largest glacial cirques in the Pyrenees, sitting at around 2,200 meters elevation. Runners cross this remote high plateau late in the race before the long descent back toward Vielle-Aure.

MI 99

KM 160

Vielle-Aure Finish

Runners return to the start village of Vielle-Aure to complete the 160-kilometer loop after crossing ten named passes and accumulating 10,000 meters of elevation gain. The finish line receives competitors around the clock throughout the cutoff window.