Les Trails de la Factrice.
L'Épineuse is the long loop of Les Trails de la Factrice: an ultra trail from Roquebrun on the Orb through the Caroux and Espinouse massifs and back. The organiser pitches it openly as preparation for the Diagonale des Fous on Réunion, and it runs like that: many short, very steep climbs on rocky ground rather than a few long passes.
Les Trails de la Factrice 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
From the banks of the Orb in Roquebrun the course leaves through the village lanes into the garrigue. The first 28 km are a constant up and down over the hills above the Orb valley, past Vieussan after about 16 km, to Mons at the mouth of the Gorges d'Héric. That is where the race proper starts: from km 30 the course gains around 370 m in just over a kilometre, with pitches well beyond 30 percent, and soon after another 450 m take you onto the Caroux plateau. Around km 39 you reach the high point at a little over 1,070 m.
The second half crosses into the Espinouse and comes back down via Saint-Julien and Olargues. The longest climb of the day only arrives around km 60, some 550 m in under four kilometres, and after Olargues another long ascent of almost 500 m starts at km 86. Ceps and the Garrigas lead back into Roquebrun.
The organiser describes a wild upland in the Haut-Languedoc regional nature park: rock everywhere, heather moorland, abandoned escarpments, deep gorges and forests of chestnut, beech and oak. Underfoot and gradient make the course far more technical than its sub-1,100 m altitude suggests.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 4.8 | 2.1 km | 11.7 % | 26.9 % | +250 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 16.2 | 2.8 km | 10.8 % | 31.2 % | +304 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 29.8 | 1.3 km | 28.3 % | 45.2 % | +374 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 35.5 | 3.7 km | 12 % | 36.4 % | +448 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 47.6 | 2.1 km | 14.2 % | 33.5 % | +299 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 59.7 | 3.9 km | 14 % | 32.9 % | +545 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 74 | 2.2 km | 11.8 % | 30.3 % | +256 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 86.5 | 5.4 km | 8.8 % | 27.3 % | +477 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 Les Trails de la Factrice.
Start under control
Over more than 110 km and around six kilometres of climbing, the race is not decided by how you feel on the first hill but by what is left after 60 km. The rolling first 28 km to Mons are easy to run too fast in company; a deliberately easy pace there is the biggest single contribution to finishing.
Hold your rhythm
The wall from km 30 up to the Caroux is too steep to run. Hike it evenly with short steps and poles or hands on thighs rather than burning heartbeats on every step. The plateau is the place to eat.
Spend what is left
The real trap is the descents. More than half the course is steep, and the rocky drops towards Saint-Julien and Olargues spend the quads you need for the climbs at km 60 and km 86. Descend with control instead of letting the hill run you, and you will still be moving well over the last 25 km.
Training plan for Les Trails de la Factrice: 12-week build
Build the base
For an age-group runner L'Épineuse is an effort of well over 20 hours, usually with a night or at least a long stretch in the dark. The load is mostly aerobic but irregular: short, extremely steep hiking sections alternate with technical descents, and there is hardly any flat running.
Train race pace
The defining sections are the steep climbs to the Caroux from km 30 and the two long ascents after 60 and 86 km, which arrive on tired legs. Train steep uphill hiking at 20 percent and more for 20 to 40 minutes at a time, ideally late in long sessions or across back-to-back weekends.
Rehearse the course
Eccentric strength and sure footing for the rocky descents matter just as much. Downhill running on stone, stairs, and strength work for quads and ankles belong firmly in the plan; without them the second half turns into a walk.
Arrive fresh
In mid-June the Orb valley can be hot by day while the Caroux plateau is cool at night. Use long runs to rehearse fuelling, drinking in the heat and running by headlamp on technical ground, and test your kit for both extremes.
Courses
Download the Les Trails de la Factrice course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Les Trails de la Factrice 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 Les Trails de la Factrice.
How long is Les Trails de la Factrice?
Les Trails de la Factrice is 115 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 Les Trails de la Factrice have?
Les Trails de la Factrice has around 6,080 m of elevation gain over 115 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Les Trails de la Factrice?
Les Trails de la Factrice is classified as Mountainous, averaging 53.7 vertical metres per kilometre. 8% of the route is flat, 21% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 28% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Les Trails de la Factrice have?
The hardest climb of Les Trails de la Factrice starts at kilometre 59.7, runs for 3.9 km at an average of 14% and gains 545 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Les Trails de la Factrice a loop course?
Yes, Les Trails de la Factrice is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Les Trails de la Factrice course?
Yes. The Les Trails de la Factrice 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 Les Trails de la Factrice?
Preparation for Les Trails de la Factrice should account for 115 km, 6,080 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 Les Trails de la Factrice?
The pacing strategy for Les Trails de la Factrice should reflect 115 km, 6,080 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 Les Trails de la Factrice take place?
Les Trails de la Factrice takes place on June 12, 2027.
Where does Les Trails de la Factrice take place?
Les Trails de la Factrice takes place in Roquebrun, France.
Which distances does Les Trails de la Factrice offer?
Les Trails de la Factrice offers 5 distances — L'Épineuse: 115 km; La Bête Noire du Caroux: 68 km; Trail de la Factrice: 33 km; Roquebrune: 16.5 km; Roquebrunette: 8.5 km.
How do I register for Les Trails de la Factrice?
Registration runs through the organiser: lestrailsdelafactrice.fr. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
