Trail race calendar in Occitania 2026
Also known as Causses and Cévennes
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.
Calendar updated October 2026
Season essentials
For cold and dark miles
Headlamp, thermal layer and a good watch: what matters when daylight runs short.
#1 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#2 · Best Rain JacketGore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best OverallCoros Pace 3View 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.
Upcoming races: 2026 calendar
5 upcoming races
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)
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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)
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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)
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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)
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Who would you run them with? Send them this list.
Share this view(opens in a new tab)March2027
2
Céven'Trail
Le Vigan · Occitania
101 · 63 · 42 kmAdvanced
Trail des Citadelles
Lavelanet · Occitania
70 · 55 · 40 kmAdvanced
Season essentials
Get ready for spring racing
Shoes, poles and a pack: the essentials before the first long races.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallBlack Diamond Distance Carbon ZView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #3 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView 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.
Estimated dates based on the previous edition: the organisers have not yet published the official 2027 calendar.
Essential gear for trails in this area
Most-bought gear for running in nov.
Buff
Buff Thermonet
Thermal tubular Buff with Primaloft technology. Traps body heat, ultralight and versatile: hat, neck gaiter, headband. Ideal for high mountain.
Petzl
Petzl Actik Core
Rechargeable 600-lumen headlamp with the Core battery included. Compatible with AAA batteries. Red mode to preserve night vision. Ideal for ultras with night sections.
Petzl
Petzl Iko Core
Ultralight 79 g headlamp with AIRFIT headband and rear battery to distribute weight. 500 lumens with rechargeable Core battery (2h30 at max power, 9h at 100 lumens, 100h in reserve mode). Compatible with AAA batteries. Ideal for night ultras where weight on the head matters.
Nitecore
Nitecore NU25
Ultralight 56 g headlamp with 400 lumens and up to 45 hours of runtime in low mode. USB-C charging, dual beam (wide and spot) and an auxiliary red light that does not dazzle while running. A very competitive entry-level weight option for those who do not need maximum power.
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Gear up for the mountains
The right gear makes the difference on race day. Our comparison guides to choose well.
Swipe to see all 4 categories
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
See the 5 races already held this year
- 19 AugGrand Raid des Pyrénées
- 17 OctFestival des Templiers
- 22 OctGrand Raid des Cathares
- 25 OctFestival des Hospitaliers
- 1 NovTrails de Sorède
Races by area
Races in Ariege
Races in Aude
Races in Aveyron
Races in Gard
Races in Hautes Pyrenees
Races in Lot
Races in Lozere
Races in Pyrenees Orientales
Races in Otras
Race map
Click on the map to enable scroll zoom.
About the region Occitania
“The Causses de Millau: limestone and technical trail since 1995”
Key facts about the region
1995
First Festival des Templiers
+13.000
Runners at the Festival des Templiers
Oct
Month of the Festival des Templiers
1.247 m
Maximum altitude of the Causses
10
Races
10 – 161 km
Distance range
300 – 10,000 D+
Elevation range
Mar – Nov
Race months
Difficulty
Terrain
The Causses are arid limestone plateaus, dotted with sinkholes and canyons carved by rivers such as the Tarn and the Dourbie. The terrain around Millau is markedly technical: loose rock, stony trails, and short but constant elevation changes, very different from alpine high mountains. Heat can be intense in summer, with an exposed plateau and little shade along much of the route.
Key areas
Climate & best season
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.
Trail culture
Millau and its surrounding area are, alongside Chamonix, the other great founding name in French trail. The Festival des Templiers, held continuously since 1995, gathers over 13,000 runners every October for a weekend that combines top-level competition, a popular festival atmosphere, and technical gear fairs. Its limestone terrain, very different from alpine terrain, calls for specific equipment: shoes with aggressive grip for loose rock, poles, and sun protection on a plateau with barely any shade.
Iconic races in the region