The Grand Trail des Templiers: The Marquee Event in a Legendary Trail Running Festival
- Location: Millau, Aveyron (Grands Causses Regional Natural Park), France
- Distance: 50.1 miles (80.7 km)
- Elevation gain: 11,296 feet (3,443 meters)
- Event type: Single-stage ultra-trail race
- Part of / race series: Festival des Templiers
- Date: Mid-October
- Participants: 2,000+
What is the Festival des Templiers?
The Festival des Templiers is a 3-day, 12-event trail running festival in southern France. Located in the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park, the event's flagship distance is the 50-mile Grand Trail des Templiers. The Festival des Templiers began in 1995 with roughly 400 runners and features events ranging from 1.5-61.8 miles, including the prestigious Trail des Templiers and children’s Kinder Trail.
Festival des Templiers: endurance trail races across multiple distances
Millau’s Festival des Templiers starts on a Friday with races that include:
- Endurance Trail des Templiers (61.8 miles)
- Intégrale des Causses (38.9 miles)
- Marathon du Larzac (21.5 miles)
Saturday features children’s events and even more formats, including:
- Boffi Fifty (30.1 miles)
- Marathon des Causses (22.4 miles)
- La Templière (a 4.8-mile women’s race)
The Grand Trail des Templiers closes the festival on Sunday. For a full list of other Festival des Templiers distances, visit the official race site.
The Grand Trail des Templiers: a race through the Causses
The Grand Trail des Templiers is a 50.1-mile loop from the Domaine de Saint-Estève with roughly 11,296 feet of total elevation gain. Racers set out in three waves, all before 6 a.m., following the Tarn river north towards the Causse Noir National Forest. Due to the pre-dawn start, a headlamp is a necessary addition to your trail running gear.
The latter part of the route crosses the Dourbie river gorge twice, winding its way up the Pouncho d’Agast and then back to the finish. A combination of climbs, technical descents, exposed limestone plateaus, and forested trails means that finishing depends on pacing and choice of trail footwear as much as fitness.
The Festival des Templiers experience in Millau
The Festival des Templiers offers plenty to do and see besides racing. The trail expo at the Domaine de Saint-Estève runs Thursday through Sunday, with brand booths, film screenings, and athlete talks. Local food stalls and live music provide a place for Trail des Templiers runners and spectators to gather and celebrate. Several races, including the Grand Trail des Templiers and the Endurance Trail (the Festival des Templiers’ two longest races), also provide group meals at the finish.
Getting ready for the Grand Trail des Templiers
Trail running is a demanding sport that requires the right preparation and trail gear.
Trail des Templiers gear
October in the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park can bring changeable weather, including rain, so be sure to pack moisture-wicking base layers, an insulating midlayer, and a weatherproof jacket. The loose, rocky limestone surfaces of the Causse Noir, along with the many changes in terrain and elevation, also call for trail running shoes with reliable grip for variable surfaces.
Browse men’s trail running shoes
Browse women’s trail running shoes
Other important gear includes:
- A headlamp and spare batteries.
- A hydration vest to get between water stations.
- A running backpack to hold essentials, snacks, and layers.
Training for the Grand Trail des Templiers
Training for an ultra-trail like the Grand Trail des Templiers takes time and dedication. If you’re new to trail running, consider trying a shorter distance and working your way up to 50 miles. With more than 11,000 feet of elevation gain, the Grand Trail des Templiers places significant physiological demands on your body, so start training for high-altitude running months beforehand. Pacing awareness and fueling strategy are also key for long efforts, so find a trail running diet that works for you in the leadup to the race.
If you’re eyeing an even bigger challenge, like the Festival des Templiers’ 62-mile Endurance Trail, consider a training plan for up to 100K. This can also help you approach longer events and/or stage races like the Transalpine Run or Ultra Tour Monte Rosa in the future.
Festival des Templiers 2026: dates and registration
The 2026 edition of the Festival des Templiers starts on Friday, October 16th and finishes with the Grand Trail des Templiers on Sunday, October 18th. Bib pickup and the Expo start Thursday, October 15th. Most distances sell out well ahead of festival weekend, so early registration is key.
Common questions about the Grand Trail des Templiers
What is the Grand Trail des Templiers’ difficulty level?
At 50.1 miles and 11,296 feet of elevation gain, the Grand Trail des Templiers is one of the more demanding single-day ultra-trail races in France. The festival also offers the longer 61.8 mile Endurance Trail, along with several shorter options for those looking for a more manageable challenge.
What is the finish rate for the Grand Trail des Templiers?
The finish rate varies from year to year with course conditions, but full results for the Grand Trail des Templiers are published on the official race site. In 2025, 91% of participants completed the race. Periodic cut-off times keep runners on track to finish within 20 hours, though the winners often do it in under 7.
The Festival des Templiers: a weekend of multi-level competition
With its many formats, the Festival des Templiers in the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park has something to offer runners of all levels, with options ranging from an afternoon 5-miler to a morning marathon. For those seeking more of a challenge, the all-day Trail des Templiers and even longer Endurance Trail are ideal ways to test your limits at an event built for the entire trail running community.
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Originally published 21 Aug 2026