Trail de la Chaussée des Géants.
La Gravenne is the shortest of the three courses at the Trail de la Chaussée des Géants in Thueyts, yet all of its 500 or so metres of climbing fall in the first six kilometres. From there it only goes down. A good race takes both a steady climbing engine and quads that can absorb the long way back into town.
Trail de la Chaussée des Géants 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The loop leaves Thueyts on a kilometre of road that barely climbs. Then it turns to trail and bites: between kilometres 1.3 and 2.1 sits the steepest part of the ascent, close to 150 metres of gain in 800 metres of ground. The gradient eases after that but never quite lets go until you reach the Prat de Berland aid point after four kilometres, a little above 800 metres altitude.
Beyond Prat de Berland the trail dips briefly and rolls for a while before a last climb of about a kilometre at just over ten percent takes you to the high point near 900 metres. By kilometre 6 the work upward is done.
The second half of this race now begins, a little over four kilometres of unbroken descent, steepest between kilometres 8.7 and 9.5. The last stretch runs out flat and ends in Thueyts. In the volcanic terrain of the Ardèche you get a true mountain climb and a long way down in a small space, and after ten kilometres you are back where you started.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.1 | 4 km | 9.1 % | 27.9 % | +360 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 4.5 | 0.5 km | 3.1 % | 10.8 % | +15 m | — |
| km 5.2 | 1 km | 10.4 % | 36.1 % | +106 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 Trail de la Chaussée des Géants.
Start under control
The road of the first kilometre is this course's trap. It runs easily and invites the pace of a flat 10K, with the steepest ground waiting right behind it. Stay one notch below what feels good there and settle early into a rhythm you can hold to Prat de Berland. On the steepest pitches a brisk walk is the faster choice.
Hold your rhythm
The rollers between kilometres 4.5 and 5.3 are your only break. Use them to breathe, because the last climb is short but steep enough to load the legs again. Arrive at the top at kilometre 6 able to run straight away.
Spend what is left
La Gravenne is decided on the way down. You lose over 400 metres in a little more than four kilometres, and anyone who emptied themselves on the climb cannot use that gradient any more. Keep your steps short, stay off the brakes and let the speed come where the trail allows it. There are more places to gain here than on the climb.
Training plan for Trail de la Chaussée des Géants: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect roughly 1:10 to 1:45 hours depending on your form. That is short enough to run close to threshold, but the load comes in two halves: first a long climb that taxes heart and lungs, then a drop where the pulse settles while the muscles take on most of the work.
Train race pace
Two phases set your result. The ascent to Prat de Berland takes most runners a good half hour and calls for a pace you can hold just under your limit for that long. From kilometre 6 the descent then demands quads that tolerate hard landings, right after half an hour of working uphill.
Rehearse the course
That gives you two key sessions. Once a week, run intervals of ten to twelve minutes on a hill steep enough to force you to alternate running and brisk walking. The second session ends with the descent: a climb at race effort, then straight into a fast downhill on trail, so your legs learn exactly this order.
Arrive fresh
Train on paths rather than tarmac, because after the first kilometre the race moves into terrain, and uneven downhill footing is not something the road teaches. The loop is permanently marked. If you can get to Thueyts, run it once beforehand, so you know where the steepest stretch begins and how long the way back feels.
Courses
Download the Trail de la Chaussée des Géants course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Trail de la Chaussée des Géants 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 la Chaussée des Géants.
How long is Trail de la Chaussée des Géants?
Trail de la Chaussée des Géants is 10 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 la Chaussée des Géants have?
Trail de la Chaussée des Géants has around 516 m of elevation gain over 10 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Trail de la Chaussée des Géants?
Trail de la Chaussée des Géants is classified as Mountainous, averaging 49.9 vertical metres per kilometre. 7% of the route is flat, 28% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 24% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Trail de la Chaussée des Géants have?
The hardest climb of Trail de la Chaussée des Géants starts at kilometre 0.1, runs for 4 km at an average of 9.1% and gains 360 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 3 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Trail de la Chaussée des Géants a loop course?
Yes, Trail de la Chaussée des Géants is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Trail de la Chaussée des Géants course?
Yes. The Trail de la Chaussée des Géants 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 la Chaussée des Géants?
Preparation for Trail de la Chaussée des Géants should account for 10 km, 516 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 la Chaussée des Géants?
The pacing strategy for Trail de la Chaussée des Géants should reflect 10 km, 516 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 la Chaussée des Géants take place?
Trail de la Chaussée des Géants takes place on June 5, 2027.
Where does Trail de la Chaussée des Géants take place?
Trail de la Chaussée des Géants takes place in Thueyts, France.
Which distances does Trail de la Chaussée des Géants offer?
Trail de la Chaussée des Géants offers 3 distances — La Gravenne 10K: 10 km; Le Ranc Qualiou 20K: 20 km; Les Trois Vallées 51K: 51 km.
How do I register for Trail de la Chaussée des Géants?
Registration runs through the organiser: lachausseedesgeants.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
