Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras.
At the Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras, the Ultra Tour is the only long course laid out as a loop: it starts and finishes in Guillestre and gathers around 11,000 metres of climbing on the way. Its final 60-odd kilometres follow the same chain of climbs as the entire Trail des Crêtes, except that you meet them with more than 100 kilometres already run.
Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The first six kilometres stay almost level on the valley floor, then the mountains begin without any transition. Two climbs take you to nearly 2,500 metres by kilometre 21. From there the loop swings between valley bottoms and high ground, and from kilometre 50 the first climb of more than 800 metres arrives. The highest part of the loop sits between kilometres 85 and 115. It tops out around 2,740 metres and stays above 2,200 metres for long stretches.
At kilometre 108 the Ultra Tour takes up the same sequence of climbs as the Trail des Crêtes, opened by almost 800 metres of climbing in four kilometres. The hardest climb of the whole loop comes at kilometre 136: a little over 1,100 metres in one go. One more ramp of over 500 metres follows. The last nine kilometres then drop roughly 1,400 metres into the valley at Guillestre.
The terrain is high alpine throughout. Nearly two thirds of the distance is steep, uphill and downhill alike, and level ground barely exists outside the opening kilometres. The start falls on 2 July, and at this length you will run through at least one night, much of it above 2,000 metres.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 6.4 | 4.5 km | 12.5 % | 42.6 % | +566 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 12 | 4.6 km | 16.8 % | 35.3 % | +771 m | Cat. 1 |
| km 32.1 | 3.8 km | 16 % | 44 % | +605 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 50.4 | 5.2 km | 16.2 % | 44.5 % | +847 m | HC |
| km 108.1 | 4 km | 20.1 % | 35.6 % | +794 m | Cat. 1 |
| km 122.1 | 3 km | 18 % | 44.3 % | +531 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 136 | 5.7 km | 19.9 % | 40.7 % | +1,141 m | HC |
| km 149.2 | 3.2 km | 16.7 % | 43.3 % | +531 m | Cat. 2 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras.
Start under control
The Ultra Tour is not won in its first half but in the closing section from kilometre 108, which is a long mountain trail in its own right. Everything before it exists to deliver you there with working quads. Hike the steep climbs from the start, even while they still feel runnable, and keep the descents controlled, because a third of the course drops steeply.
Hold your rhythm
The decisive moment is the climb at kilometre 136. Climbing it with any pace takes energy you can no longer top up that late in the race. So eat steadily through the long high section around kilometre 100, hungry or not.
Spend what is left
The trap comes at the very end. After the last summit, nine kilometres of descent feel like a reward, but they demand roughly 1,400 metres of braking on spent legs. Forcing the pace there costs more time through cramps or falls than it can win back.
Training plan for Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras: 12-week build
Build the base
For an age-group runner the effort lasts roughly 35 to 46 hours. It is almost entirely aerobic work shaped by power hiking on steep ground and by descending; fast phases barely exist. What matters is taking in food across two days and keeping your legs and joints intact.
Train race pace
The race-deciding phase is the closing section, with the big climb at kilometre 136 and the long descent to the finish. Train with back-to-back mountain days on weekends, where the second day ends on its longest climb. That teaches you to climb steep ground when your legs are already empty.
Rehearse the course
The focus is steep uphill hiking with and without poles, plus eccentric strength for the descents. Long downhill runs of more than 1,000 metres belong in your regular training, so that the final drop is not the first time you descend that far on tired legs.
Arrive fresh
Since you will spend a night or more above 2,000 metres, test headlamp, warm layers and food on night runs in the mountains. A few training days at altitude before July help you run the high section between kilometres 90 and 110 more calmly.
Courses
Download the Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras.
How long is Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras?
Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras is 170 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras have?
Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras has around 11,030 m of elevation gain over 170 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras?
Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras is classified as Mountainous, averaging 66.9 vertical metres per kilometre. 5% of the route is flat, 14% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 33% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras have?
The hardest climb of Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras starts at kilometre 136, runs for 5.7 km at an average of 19.9% and gains 1,141 metres. Cycling-convention rating: HC. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras a loop course?
Yes, Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras course?
Yes. The Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras?
Preparation for Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras should account for 170 km, 11,030 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras?
The pacing strategy for Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras should reflect 170 km, 11,030 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras 2027 take place?
Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras 2027 takes place on July 2, 2027.
Where does Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras 2027 take place?
Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras 2027 takes place in Guillestre, France.
Which distances does Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras offer?
Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras offers 6 distances — Ultra Tour: 170 km; Grande Traversée: 105 km; Trail des 6 Cols: 90 km; Trail des Crêtes: 65 km; Trail des Lacs: 48 km; Skyrace du Rif Bel: 25 km.
How do I register for Grand Raid du Guillestrois-Queyras?
Registration runs through the organiser: grandraidduguillestrois-queyras.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
