Trail de Haute Provence.
The THP160 is the flagship of the Trail de Haute Provence: around 166 kilometres and roughly 7,000 metres of climbing in one big loop from Forcalquier that takes on the Montagne de Lure from both sides. It starts on Friday afternoon, the first night is spent on the mountain, and as a Ligue Ultra qualifier it draws an ambitious field.
Trail de Haute Provence 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
After a little over two kilometres of tarmac out of the old town, the first real climb arrives at kilometre five, about 330 metres in just over two kilometres. The route then rolls north on a gentle rise through Limans, Ongles, Lardiers and Saumane before the Montagne de Lure begins around kilometre 38: Col de la Roche, Baisse de Malcort, a short wall averaging almost 30 per cent at kilometre 47, and finally the Station de Lure (Le Caillou) with its life base. Shortly after, at kilometre 63, you top out on the summit at a little over 1,800 metres.
The second half of the mountain is the harder one. After a technical descent to the Jas des Bailles, the route climbs from kilometre 75 by just over 600 metres in about 3.7 kilometres to the Cairn 2000, the steepest long climb of the race. Via the Combe de la Sappée and the abbey of Notre-Dame de Lure it drops to Saint-Étienne-les-Orgues. From there the terrain turns hillier and faster: Montlaux, the Durance slopes around Lurs where the loop reaches its lowest point, then Fontienne, where every course of the festival converges.
Underfoot it is Provençal limestone: stony tracks, singletrack through oak and pine, open and windy ridges up on the Lure. The finale crosses the short, steep hill of Les Truques and the Mourres, a field of mushroom-shaped limestone pillars, before you run through the lanes of Forcalquier past the cathedral to the line.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 5.3 | 2.3 km | 14.7 % | 32 % | +332 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 38.2 | 3.3 km | 7 % | 20 % | +230 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 42.2 | 2.3 km | 12.1 % | 36.7 % | +279 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 47.4 | 0.8 km | 29.8 % | 44.9 % | +238 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 55.4 | 2.5 km | 12.4 % | 27.9 % | +306 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 74.8 | 3.7 km | 17.2 % | 46.5 % | +640 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 87.8 | 4.5 km | 11.6 % | 24.8 % | +521 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 152 | 2.4 km | 10.5 % | 20.8 % | +251 m | Cat. 3 |
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 Trail de Haute Provence.
Start under control
The first 38 kilometres are easier than anything that follows, which is exactly what makes them dangerous. Run them at conversation pace and walk the first steep climb at kilometre five without hesitation, even if the field around you keeps running. Night falls on the way to the Col de la Roche, and anyone already climbing above threshold there pays for it on the summit.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between the Jas des Bailles and Saint-Étienne-les-Orgues: the long climb to the Cairn 2000 comes after about 75 kilometres and a sleepless night, followed by stony descents that take apart tired quads. Plan deliberate hiking with steady pole work here, and eat properly at the life base at Le Caillou beforehand.
Spend what is left
The trap is the apparently easy final third. Between Montlaux, Lurs and Fontienne the ground is runnable, but on the second day it is often hot, and the short climbs add up. Push too hard there and you reach Les Truques with nothing left.
Training plan for Trail de Haute Provence: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners typically need between 30 and 45 hours for the THP160, with a 45-hour limit. The effort is predominantly long and aerobic, broken up by very steep hiking, plus one and often two nights without sleep. What matters most is the ability to still hike uphill efficiently and descend under control after 20 hours.
Train race pace
The decisive sections are on the Lure: the short, extremely steep ramps around kilometre 47 and the 600-metre climb to the Cairn 2000 after a night on the mountain. Train steep climbs with poles in long sessions, and finish long runs with descents on stony ground so your quads know eccentric load under fatigue.
Rehearse the course
Conditions in May are changeable: warmth in the valleys, wind and much cooler air above 1,800 metres, and a night on the mountain. Test kit and fuelling on at least one night run, and string together back-to-back weekends to practise running on tired legs.
Arrive fresh
The priorities are climbing volume built over weeks rather than single peaks, pole technique, heat tolerance for the second day, and a fuelling plan you can actually sustain for 30 hours or more.
Courses
Download the Trail de Haute Provence course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Trail de Haute Provence 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 Trail de Haute Provence.
How long is Trail de Haute Provence?
Trail de Haute Provence is 166 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 Haute Provence have?
Trail de Haute Provence has around 6,937 m of elevation gain over 166 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Trail de Haute Provence?
Trail de Haute Provence is classified as Mountainous, averaging 42 vertical metres per kilometre. 7% of the route is flat, 24% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 21% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Trail de Haute Provence have?
The hardest climb of Trail de Haute Provence starts at kilometre 74.8, runs for 3.7 km at an average of 17.2% and gains 640 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Trail de Haute Provence a loop course?
Yes, Trail de Haute Provence is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Trail de Haute Provence course?
Yes. The Trail de Haute Provence 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 Haute Provence?
Preparation for Trail de Haute Provence should account for 166 km, 6,937 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 Haute Provence?
The pacing strategy for Trail de Haute Provence should reflect 166 km, 6,937 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 Haute Provence take place?
Trail de Haute Provence takes place on May 6, 2027.
Where does Trail de Haute Provence take place?
Trail de Haute Provence takes place in Forcalquier, France.
Which distances does Trail de Haute Provence offer?
Trail de Haute Provence offers 13 distances — THP160: 166 km; THP160 relai: 166 km; THP120: 122 km; THP80: 80 km; THP80 relai: 80 km; THP65: 65 km and 7 more.
How do I register for Trail de Haute Provence?
Registration runs through the organiser: mythp.fr. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
