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Trail des Citadelles
Photo: Oiseauparadigme / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) (opens in a new tab) / Source (opens in a new tab)

Lavelanet

Trail des Citadelles

Sunday, 28 March 2027

Ultra 70K

70km D+ 3300m

Trail 55K

55km D+ 2700m

Trail 40K

40km D+ 2000m

Trail 24K

24km D+ 1200m

Trail 10K

10km D+ 500m

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Trail des Citadelles 2027 registration: dates not announced yetSee recommended gear

Your checklist for Trail des Citadelles

What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.

0 of 6 ready

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  1. GPS watch

    Suunto Run 2

    Very light: 35 g case

    Downside: 24 h of GPS: short for ultras over 100 km

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  2. Gear

    Shoe with lugs for mud and wet rock

    Hoka Speedgoat 7

    Max Hoka cushioning: protects your legs over long distances

    Downside: High stack: less stable for those who want more ground feel

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    See 7 alternatives Which shoe suits you best? Shoe finder

  3. Nutrition

    Use the solid aid stations: cheese and cured meat work

    Maurten Gel 100

    Hydrogel technology: excellent gastric tolerance

    Downside: High price compared to other gels

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    See 7 alternatives

  4. Sun Protection

    Sweat-resistant SPF50 cream, reapply at aid stations

    ISDIN Fusion Water Sunscreen SPF 50+

    Ultralight texture, feels invisible on skin

    Downside: Small format (50 ml), may run short on ultras

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    See 7 alternatives

  5. Body Care

    Anti-chafe balm on armpits, thighs and feet

    Julbo Aerospeed

    Photochromic lenses: adapt from forest to summits

    Downside: Higher price compared to non-photochromic glasses

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    See 7 alternatives

  6. Car Rental

    Book in advance and check the mileage policy

    DRIVALIA CarCloud Country Plus

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    See 3 alternatives

  7. Trip logistics

    Registration, travel and insurance: what you should have sorted before race day.

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Seasonal kit

Cold weather at Trail des Citadelles: pack the winter kit

Layers, gloves, neck gaiter and footwear for running in the cold, with short-race and ultra versions.

See the full kit : What to Wear for Cold-Weather Trail Running 2026: The Complete Layering Kit

Race data

Terrain

Mountain

Difficulty

Advanced

Distance

5 modalities

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  • Ultra 70K

    Distance
    70 km
    Elevation Gain
    D+ 3300m
    Max Time
    -

  • Trail 55K

    Distance
    55 km
    Elevation Gain
    D+ 2700m
    Max Time
    -

  • Trail 40K

    Distance
    40 km
    Elevation Gain
    D+ 2000m
    Max Time
    -

  • Trail 24K

    Distance
    24 km
    Elevation Gain
    D+ 1200m
    Max Time
    -

  • Trail 10K

    Distance
    10 km
    Elevation Gain
    D+ 500m
    Max Time
    -
Will your watch battery last the ~17 h of Trail des Citadelles?Worked out for the longest course (70 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch

Gear up for Trail des Citadelles

Buying guides with the best value for money, picked for this kind of terrain.

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What the Trail des Citadelles is

The Trail des Citadelles runs through the Pays d’Olmes, a corner of Ariège where the pre-Pyrenees break into ridges and forest and where history left two impossible Cathar castles: Montségur and Roquefixade. The flagship race covers 70 km with 3,300 m of climbing, with five distances from ultra down to 10 km for those accompanying.

A route with history

The course climbs to both castles, crosses beech woods and mountain meadows and passes small stone villages. There are no glaciers or extreme altitude, but climbing accumulates in short, hard ramps with dry-stone sections that force you to walk. This is classic European trail: technical, honest and without artifice.

March, month of contrasts

In late March Ariège can deliver a sunny day at 18 degrees or a snowy morning on the summits. That uncertainty is part of the appeal and part of the risk: start with layers and do not trust the previous day’s forecast.

An easy destination from Spain

Lavelanet is under three hours from the border via Puigcerdà or Huesca, and 90 minutes from Toulouse. That makes it perfect for a weekend: race on Sunday, Cathar sightseeing on Saturday and home. To link other races in the area, check the regional race calendar and plan the trip with the planner.

360Complete Pack

Entry to the Trail des Citadelles

Registration

A mid-sized race with several distances and a club atmosphere. Registration opens early in the year and ultra places are the first to close.

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Tips

  • •Medical certificate mandatory in France
  • •Short distances are ideal for companions
  • •Email the organiser if you need kit details
  • •Bib collection on the day: arrive with margin

Where to sleep near Lavelanet

Accommodation

The area has guesthouses, gîtes and small hotels. It is rural with limited supply, so book weeks ahead.

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Tips

  • •Foix: more choice and 40 minutes away
  • •Rural gîtes in the Pays d'Olmes: the most authentic option
  • •Carcassonne if you want to combine race and medieval city
  • •Book weeks ahead: local beds are scarce

Gear for the pre-Pyrenees in March

Gear

The terrain mixes forest, track, ridge and dry stone. In March you can run in knee-deep mud and on ice in shaded sections.

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Tips

  • •Shoe with lugs for mud and wet rock
  • •Windproof and long sleeves: ridge wind is cold
  • •Gloves and buff for the first hours
  • •Poles help on the climbs to the castles
Hoka Speedgoat 7

Which shoes for Trail des Citadelles?

Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather

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Suunto Run 2

Which GPS watch for Trail des Citadelles?

Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time

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Best Neck Gaiter (Buff) for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide

Comparison of the best neck gaiters for trail running in 2026: Buff Original, Midweight, Windproof, DryFlx, CoolNet UV+, Thermonet, HANKER and Salomon Merino. Which to pick based on sun, wind, cold or budget.

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Best Thermal Base Layer for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide

The best thermal base layers for trail running in 2026: Odlo Active Warm Eco, Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis, Craft Pro Hypervent, Under Armour ColdGear, Salomon Agile LS Tee and Odlo I-Thermic. Which to pick based on cold, sweat management, merino wool, compression or built-in wind protection.

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Best Trail Running Gaiters 2026: 3-Way Comparison

Comparing the 3 best trail running gaiters in 2026: Salomon Trail Gaiters High, Salomon Trail Gaiters Low and TRIWONDER waterproof gaiters. Which to pick by terrain and budget.

→

Fuel for 70 km of climbing

Nutrition

With 3,300 m of climbing the cost is high and steep ascents force you to eat while moving. Aid stations are French style, with cheese, cured meat and fruit.

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Tips

  • •Use the solid aid stations: cheese and cured meat work
  • •Carry gels for the Montségur to Roquefixade stretch
  • •Drink before you feel thirsty: dry Ariège air deceives
  • •Test savoury food on long training runs

Getting to Lavelanet

Transport

Lavelanet is in Ariège, 90 minutes from Toulouse, 40 from Foix and 60 from Carcassonne. Access is by car, with mountain roads in the final kilometres.

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Tips

  • •Drive from Toulouse via the A66 and D117
  • •Toulouse-Blagnac airport is 90 minutes away
  • •Carcassonne also works, with low-cost flights
  • •Village parking: arrive early on race day

Car rental for Citadelles

Car Rental

A car makes it easier to reach the start and get around before and after the race.

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Tips

  • •Book in advance and check the mileage policy
  • •Useful if your accommodation is far from the start

Sports insurance for Citadelles

Insurance

Cover your participation with insurance that includes medical assistance and mountain rescue.

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Tips

  • •Check that it covers the race format and elevation gain
  • •Review rescue cover if the race is in the mountains

Sun protection for Citadelles

Sun Protection

Sun exposure takes its toll on long races, especially on exposed sections and at midday.

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Tips

  • •Sweat-resistant SPF50 cream, reapply at aid stations
  • •Protect lips, ears and neck

Body care for Citadelles

Body Care

Kilometres and descents punish feet and skin: anti-chafe balm and blister patches prevent DNFs.

Browse all body care

Tips

  • •Anti-chafe balm on armpits, thighs and feet
  • •Blister patches in your pocket

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Trail des Citadelles held?
In Lavelanet, in the Ariège department (Occitanie region), about 90 minutes from Toulouse and 40 from Foix. The route climbs to the Cathar castles of Montségur and Roquefixade.
Which distance is hardest?
The 70 km ultra with 3,300 m of climbing. It is followed by 55 km with 2,700 m, 40 km with 2,000 m, 24 km with 1,200 m and a 10 km with 500 m for beginners.
What is the weather like in late March?
Early spring in the pre-Pyrenees: cold mornings, mild afternoons and a chance of snow or mud up high. Prepare for all three and carry a mandatory windproof jacket.

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