Tarn Valley Trail: Course, Elevation & Route Profile

Course & Elevation

The start in Quézac is early in the morning so that even slower runners see the gorge in daylight: the narrows of the Détroits, rock chaos, towering limestone walls and isolated villages on the left bank. In this first half the course climbs onto the Causse Méjean four times, including two long ascents from km 7.5 and km 15 that each top out above 900 m, and every one is followed by a technical descent back to the river.

At Les Vignes, around km 54, the race switches to the right bank and climbs almost 500 m up to Saint-Rome-de-Dolan on the Causse de Sauveterre. Forest tracks and balcony paths follow, past the cliff-dwelling hamlets of Saint-Marcellin and Eglazines with views across to the walls of the Méjean. At Le Rozier the gorge opens into the valley and the route approaches Templiers terrain.

From Peyreleau the final section crosses the Causse Noir: the long climb via La Tour, the plateau past Le Sonnac, the perched village of Caylus and Carbassas. Around km 81 comes the steepest ramp of the day, about 400 m at almost 18 %. The finish is in the heart of Millau in the courtyard of the CREA, inside the René Rieux theatre hall. Parts of the course cross the Cévennes National Park, whose rules apply to every runner.

Pacing Strategy

A 100 km race with eight climbs of 230 to 540 m is not won in the first 50 km. The two ascents onto the Méjean between km 7 and 20 come early and tempt you to push too hard in the pack; hike them deliberately and take the technical descents in control rather than fast, because you need your quads all the way to Millau.

The race is decided from Peyreleau. Whoever can still hike at km 74 and run again on the plateau gains hours on the Causse Noir. The steep ramp around km 81 and the descent to Paulhe fall in the night for most runners, on tired legs and by headlamp. Pace yourself to arrive there with enough left for focused downhill running, and eat regularly on the long valley stretches by the river before the climbs arrive.

Training plan for Tarn Valley Trail: 12-week build

Most runners need between 16 and 26 hours for the Intégrale, much of it hiking uphill and running technical descents. The effort is predominantly aerobic but lasts a full day and a night, and it is limited more by the sum of the steep descents than by the climbs.

At the core of your preparation are long days on trails with 1,500 to 2,500 m of climbing, ideally back to back on consecutive days to simulate fatigue. Practise brisk power hiking, with and without poles, on climbs of 300 to 500 m, because exactly that length repeats all day.

Strength for descending matters just as much: eccentric strength work and regular long descents on stony ground prepare your quads for the technical paths off the Méjean rim and the Causse Noir. Train night runs by headlamp on singletrack, because the final section falls in the dark for many.

In May the open causses can be sunny and warm or cold and wet. The organiser recommends waterproof jacket and trousers, a warm layer, a headlamp and a one-litre water reserve; test that kit and your fuelling on long sessions before you wear it for the first time in Quézac.