Senpereko Trail.
The Senpereko Trail, in its 15th edition in 2027, runs on the Sunday, a day after its three sister courses, through the Basque hills and forests around Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle. On paper it is a half marathon, but eight climbs and descents just as steep turn it into a race you judge by effort, never by kilometre splits.
Senpereko Trail 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The start is at the fronton in the Ibarron district, and right after a flat first kilometre the course goes to work. From kilometre 1.2 it gains about 170 metres. It then rolls on upward to the day's high point, just under 300 metres at kilometre 6.5. The descent hands half of that straight back, and the pattern is set: this course never climbs for long and never stays high for long.
The middle decides it. At kilometre 11.25 the hardest ramp of the race rises out of a dip, averaging over 22 percent. It costs 180 metres in less than a kilometre. Beyond the crest the trail drops almost as abruptly, and from kilometre 13 the next climb is already under way. The last longer ascent starts at kilometre 17 and rises more evenly for nearly two kilometres before the closing descent leads back to Ibarron.
The setting is the hills and forests of the Basque Country, with views towards La Rhune. The organiser is SPUC Lasterka, active since 2008. The loop starts and ends barely above sea level and never gets high, so its difficulty comes entirely from the constant swing between valley floor and ridge.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.2 | 1.6 km | 10.4 % | 20.5 % | +170 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 3.5 | 0.6 km | 9.3 % | 19.8 % | +51 m | — |
| km 5.2 | 1.3 km | 10.1 % | 30.5 % | +126 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 8.3 | 0.8 km | 12.1 % | 23.6 % | +91 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 11.3 | 0.8 km | 22.4 % | 35.1 % | +180 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 13.2 | 1.4 km | 10.1 % | 20.8 % | +144 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 15 | 0.8 km | 5.9 % | 16.5 % | +46 m | — |
| km 17.2 | 1.7 km | 7.5 % | 15.7 % | +130 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 Senpereko Trail.
Start under control
Only nine percent of this course is flat, so a steady pace does not exist here. Divide the race by climbs instead: hike the steep ones briskly, and where it eases, as on the last long ascent from kilometre 17, run it calmly. That keeps the effort level even while your kilometre splits vary several times over.
Hold your rhythm
The ramp at kilometre 11 matters most. Hardly anyone runs all of it, and whoever tries pays on the three climbs still to come. Hiking with your hands on your thighs and breaking back into a jog at the top gains more here than attacking it.
Spend what is left
The real trap is downhill. Nearly a quarter of the course drops steeply, and it is tempting to take back there what the climbs cost you. Do that in the first half and your legs are gone on the closing descent, exactly where places can still be won in the final kilometres.
Training plan for Senpereko Trail: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners take roughly 2:45 to 4:30 hours here, far longer than the distance suggests. The effort is mostly aerobic, but the steep ramps keep pushing it into anaerobic territory, and every descent that rests your heart and lungs takes it out of your legs.
Train race pace
The moments you are preparing for sit in the second half: a very steep ramp after eleven kilometres of up and down, then three more climbs on tired legs. Above all that demands the ability to go straight from a steep pitch back into a run.
Rehearse the course
So build in steep hill repeats of two to four minutes, and add a short stretch of brisk jogging to each one instead of stopping at the top. Your long run belongs on hilly ground, with its hardest climbs placed in the second half. The opposite direction counts just as much: quick downhill sections accustom your quads to the pounding that returns here after every climb.
Arrive fresh
A mid-March date puts your preparation in the winter months, with the main block of hill sessions in January and February. If you have no terrain at home, stairs or a treadmill can stand in for the uphill. Downhill cannot be practised that way, so add lunges and slow step-downs, which load the quads as they brake.
Courses
Download the Senpereko Trail course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Senpereko Trail dynamically
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Everything about Senpereko Trail.
How long is Senpereko Trail?
Senpereko Trail is 21.5 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 Senpereko Trail have?
Senpereko Trail has around 1,061 m of elevation gain over 21.5 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Senpereko Trail?
Senpereko Trail is classified as Mountainous, averaging 50.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 9% of the route is flat, 28% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 26% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Senpereko Trail have?
The hardest climb of Senpereko Trail starts at kilometre 11.3, runs for 0.8 km at an average of 22.4% and gains 180 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Senpereko Trail a loop course?
Yes, Senpereko Trail is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Senpereko Trail course?
Yes. The Senpereko Trail 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 Senpereko Trail?
Preparation for Senpereko Trail should account for 21.5 km, 1,061 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 Senpereko Trail?
The pacing strategy for Senpereko Trail should reflect 21.5 km, 1,061 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 Senpereko Trail take place?
Senpereko Trail takes place on March 13, 2027.
Where does Senpereko Trail take place?
Senpereko Trail takes place in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France.
Which distances does Senpereko Trail offer?
Senpereko Trail offers 5 distances — Senpereko Trail: 21.5 km; Ibar Run Trail: 10.8 km; Gotorlekuen Itzulia: 42 km (Marathon); Tontorrez Tontor: 85 km; Ilargiko Lasterka Relay: 18 km.
How do I register for Senpereko Trail?
Registration runs through the organiser: senperekotrail.fr. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
