Trail de Chimay: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The 50 km is the long course of the Trail de Chimay and the only one that drops far into the valleys north-east of the Poteaupré. There are no big mountains in the south of the province of Hainaut; instead, one short, steep forest climb follows another all day long.
Course & Elevation
Start and finish are at the Auberge du Poteaupré near Bourlers, a kilometre from the Scourmont abbey whose Trappist beer is poured at the finish. The first kilometres stay on the plateau around 320 metres; after that the course falls away to the north-east and reaches its lowest ground, a little over 210 metres, around kilometre 20.
That is where the real alternation of valleys and ridges begins. Most of the climbing sits between kilometres 18 and 40, almost every climb shorter than a kilometre and a half but several of them averaging double-digit gradients. The steepest is a pitch of just over 500 metres at kilometre 29. There is one ford along the way, and the organiser describes the course as a mix of technical and runnable sections.
The last ten kilometres run back along the ridge to the Poteaupré. The course is marked with reflective orange boards, and there are no disposable cups anywhere, neither on course nor at the finish.
Pacing Strategy
The opening on the plateau is quick and tempts you into a pace you pay for later. The course has no single key climb; over 50 kilometres it asks you to make the same call correctly on every short climb: power-hike the steep pitches, run the gentle ridges.
The race is decided in the middle section between kilometres 18 and 40, where the climbs come thick and fast and the aid stations sit at kilometres 25 and 41. Stay even there and you can still run on the way home.
The trap is the descents. Short, steep drops over roots and rock tire the quads faster than the climbs do, and the last kilometres along the ridge are only fast if your legs still allow it.
Training plan for Trail de Chimay: 12-week build
Expect five and a half to eight hours as a well-prepared amateur. The effort is long and aerobic, broken up by many short, hard climbs that last only a few minutes each.
Build your preparation around long runs on rolling forest terrain where you walk the steep ramps deliberately and start running again as soon as you crest. Repeats on short, steep hills of two to four minutes prepare you for the middle section.
Downhill running matters just as much: practise short, steep descents on rooty ground, including on tired legs, so your quads survive the second half.
You have to carry a litre of water, food, a phone and your own cup. Do your long runs with a race vest and test what you can eat over several hours.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 6.5 | 1.2 km | 6.3% | 16.0% | +74m | — |
| KM 11.9 | 1.1 km | 7.8% | 15.3% | +90m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 18.3 | 0.8 km | 11.0% | 16.7% | +82m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 22.7 | 0.8 km | 10.6% | 16.4% | +79m | — |
| KM 24.4 | 1.5 km | 6.7% | 18.8% | +100m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 29.1 | 0.5 km | 17.0% | 31.4% | +89m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 31.4 | 1.4 km | 6.7% | 10.5% | +93m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 37.8 | 0.9 km | 9.4% | 22.0% | +82m | 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.
Course as GPX
Download the 50 km course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Trail de Chimay 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.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Trail de Chimay?
Trail de Chimay is 49.36 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 Trail de Chimay have?
Trail de Chimay has around 1,177 m of elevation gain over 49.36 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Trail de Chimay?
Trail de Chimay is classified as Hilly, averaging 23.5 vertical metres per kilometre. 18% of the route is flat, 32% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 10% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Trail de Chimay have?
The hardest climb of Trail de Chimay starts at kilometre 24.5, runs for 1.5 km at an average of 6.7% and gains 100 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Trail de Chimay a loop course?
Yes, Trail de Chimay is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Trail de Chimay course?
Yes. The Trail de Chimay 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 Trail de Chimay?
Preparation for Trail de Chimay should account for 49.36 km, 1,177 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 Trail de Chimay?
The pacing strategy for Trail de Chimay should reflect 49.36 km, 1,177 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 Trail de Chimay take place?
Trail de Chimay takes place on May 8, 2027.
Where does Trail de Chimay take place?
Trail de Chimay takes place in Chimay, Belgium.
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