Trail races in Occitania — October 2026
The limestone south of France: the Causses de Millau are a technical limestone plateau, canyons, and continental Mediterranean climate, home to the Festival des Templiers, one of Europe's most crowded trail events.
3 races scheduled
Season essentials
Gear up for autumn
Grippy shoes, a headlamp and technical clothing for short days and wet ground.
#1 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#2 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best Rain JacketGore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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No races match these filters.
For your vertical km
Poles, grippy shoes and a light vest for a 1,000 m climb.
#1 · Best OverallBlack Diamond Distance Carbon ZView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)- #2 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For a short race
Shoes, socks and sun protection: just what you need to run fast.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#2 · Best OverallCompressport Pro Racing Socks V3.0 TrailView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best OverallISDIN Fusion Water Sunscreen SPF 50+View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For a mid-distance race
Shoes, vest and hydration for 21-42 km without suffering.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best Gel OverallMaurten Gel 100View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For a long race
Vest, headlamp and nutrition for all those hours in the mountains.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #3 · Best Gel OverallMaurten Gel 100View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
For your ultra
A watch with battery to spare, a powerful headlamp and poles: the gear that can't fail.
#1 · Best OverallCoros Pace 3View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)- #2 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #3 · Best OverallBlack Diamond Distance Carbon ZView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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Share this view(opens in a new tab)October2026
3
Festival des Templiers
Millau · Occitania
100 · 80.7 · 62.6 kmAdvanced
Grand Raid des Cathares
Carcassonne · Occitania
161 · 101 · 85 kmElite
Festival des Hospitaliers
Nant · Occitania
75 · 29.5 · 12 kmAdvanced
Season essentials
Gear up for autumn
Grippy shoes, a headlamp and technical clothing for short days and wet ground.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #3 · Best Rain JacketGore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Explore by country, month and goal
Climate in Occitania: Spring and autumn are the best windows: mild temperatures and less risk of extreme heat on the exposed plateau. Summer can exceed 35°C with barely any shade, which is why the Festival des Templiers is held in October, taking advantage of cooler temperatures and autumn light.
Race summary
3
Races
12 – 161 km
Distance range
600 – 7,000 D+
Elevation range
Oct
Race months
Difficulty
Tips for running in Occitania in october
Wet leaves on rock are extremely slippery: reduce pace on technical descents.
Days shorten quickly: if your race is long, carry a headlamp even if you think you will not need it.
October is perfect for breaking in new footwear — take the chance to test shoes for next season.
Race map
Click a marker to view race details.
Scheduled races
Photo: Festival des TempliersFestival des Templiers
Millau
32nd edition: the biggest trail festival in France with 13,000 runners, 18 distances (8 km-100 km) on the Millau Causses. Grand Trail des Templiers 80.7 km (3,443 m D+), October.
Photo: Benh LIEU SONG / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)Grand Raid des Cathares
Carcassonne
161 km and 7,000 m D+ from the Cité de Carcassonne to the Pic de Bugarach: French trail's great medieval adventure, 22-24 October 2026.
Photo: Henk Monster / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)Festival des Hospitaliers
Nant
75 km and 3,977 m D+ between the Larzac and the Dourbie valley on 25 October 2026: southern Aveyron's technical ultra.
Essential trail running gear
Must-have gear to prepare for your mountain races
Black Diamond
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
Ultralight carbon Z-pole foldable trekking poles. 137 g per pole in 110 cm length, 33 cm folded. EVA grip and adjustable strap. The trail running reference.
Hoka
Hoka Speedgoat 7
The best-selling trail shoe in the US and an absolute ultra-trail classic. Max Hoka cushioning, a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs for grip in mud and technical terrain, and a snug Matryx upper. Built to eat up kilometres without punishing your legs in long races.
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