Light On Trail Pierre-Percée.
The shortest course of the Light On Trail Pierre-Percée stays at the edge of the lake, but it is no gentle shoreline jog: two steep ramps frame the level kilometres, and the second arrives only about three kilometres from the finish in Celles-sur-Plaine. Good preparation here means preparing for exactly those two climbs.
Light On Trail Pierre-Percée 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are in Celles-sur-Plaine, and the loop leaves the village over small undulations. From km 1.6 it gets serious: about 140 metres of climbing in 1.3 km, averaging eleven percent. Beyond that the trail drops again and stays almost level at around 390 metres until km 8. This stretch gives the course its character, because while the longer formats head onto the relief above Lac de Pierre-Percée, the short course keeps to its edge.
From km 8 the route steps up to just under 500 metres. It is not one mountain but a run of short ramps, and just past them, at km 11.3, sits the only aid station on course. After a rolling section the second big climb starts at km 13.3: just under 900 metres at a little over twelve percent, up to the highest point of the loop.
From there it is almost entirely downhill. You lose more than 200 metres of height in the last two kilometres back to Celles-sur-Plaine, where the race village opens on the Saturday before the start.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0 | 0.3 km | 10.1 % | 16.1 % | +33 m | — |
| km 0.7 | 0.4 km | 4.3 % | 12.2 % | +18 m | — |
| km 1.6 | 1.3 km | 11.1 % | 25.2 % | +141 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 8.2 | 0.7 km | 5.6 % | 15.4 % | +39 m | — |
| km 9.1 | 0.4 km | 9.9 % | 17.8 % | +37 m | — |
| km 9.8 | 0.5 km | 5.8 % | 11.8 % | +30 m | — |
| km 13.3 | 0.9 km | 12.3 % | 22.4 % | +108 m | Cat. 4 |
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 Light On Trail Pierre-Percée.
Start under control
This loop cannot be run evenly, and that is not the goal. Take the ramp at km 1.6 deliberately easy: it comes before you are properly warm, and running it hard costs you heavy legs on the level kilometres behind it, the very place where this course gives time away.
Hold your rhythm
Run those freely, but know the race is decided later. After the steps from km 8, the steepest sustained section hits you at km 13 on tired calves. A brisk walk with short strides is usually faster here than a failing run, and it leaves something for what comes next.
Spend what is left
The trap is the final descent. Empty yourself to the top of that ramp and you lose control of the braking work in your thighs on the long drop. Keep a little back near the top: the downhill to the finish pays more than the last metres of the climb.
Training plan for Light On Trail Pierre-Percée: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners should expect roughly 1:45 to 2:45 hours, depending on trail experience. That is a consistently intense aerobic effort, but not a run at one pace: two steep ramps of ten to fifteen minutes push your heart rate well up, and between them you have to find your rhythm again on level ground.
Train race pace
That switch is what to practise. Run intervals of eight to twelve minutes on a steep hill, then add twenty minutes at a brisk pace on the flat straight after. It teaches you how quickly your legs come back after a climb, which shapes the first half of this race more than any pure hill session. Two such rounds per session are enough.
Rehearse the course
The second ramp demands toughness when tired. Put your hardest block of hills at the end of longer runs, so that the climb at km 13 is not your first steep slope after more than an hour of work. Downhill running belongs right behind it, in short sets at first and later on pre-tired legs, because the loop ends on a long descent.
Arrive fresh
The first Sunday of April puts the preparation in the winter months. Start steep climbing and downhill work early enough: leave it until March and your legs get too little time to adapt to this load.
Courses
Download the Light On Trail Pierre-Percée course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Light On Trail Pierre-Percée.
How long is Light On Trail Pierre-Percée?
Light On Trail Pierre-Percée is 17 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 Light On Trail Pierre-Percée have?
Light On Trail Pierre-Percée has around 525 m of elevation gain over 17 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Light On Trail Pierre-Percée?
Light On Trail Pierre-Percée is classified as Mountainous, averaging 32 vertical metres per kilometre. 22% of the route is flat, 24% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 17% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Light On Trail Pierre-Percée have?
The hardest climb of Light On Trail Pierre-Percée starts at kilometre 1.6, runs for 1.3 km at an average of 11.1% and gains 141 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 7 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Light On Trail Pierre-Percée a loop course?
Yes, Light On Trail Pierre-Percée is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Light On Trail Pierre-Percée course?
Yes. The Light On Trail Pierre-Percée 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 Light On Trail Pierre-Percée?
Preparation for Light On Trail Pierre-Percée should account for 17 km, 525 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 Light On Trail Pierre-Percée?
The pacing strategy for Light On Trail Pierre-Percée should reflect 17 km, 525 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 Light On Trail Pierre-Percée 2027 take place?
Light On Trail Pierre-Percée 2027 takes place on April 4, 2027.
Where does Light On Trail Pierre-Percée 2027 take place?
Light On Trail Pierre-Percée 2027 takes place in Celles-sur-Plaine, France.
Which distances does Light On Trail Pierre-Percée offer?
Light On Trail Pierre-Percée offers 3 distances — 17 km: 17 km; 37 km: 37 km; 54 km: 54 km.
How do I register for Light On Trail Pierre-Percée?
Registration runs through the organiser: lightontrail.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
