Trail des Arts.
The Trail des Arts starts and finishes inside the Abbey of Cluny, and its shortest course comes down to a single climb: nearly three flat kilometres lead to its foot, then the route goes up and back to the abbey. As a first trail race it sets one clear task, and one you can prepare for directly.
Trail des Arts 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The course is a loop in three clear parts. From the abbey it stays almost level for about three kilometres. At kilometre 2.9 the only real climb of the lap begins. Over just under two kilometres you gain 135 metres at around seven percent on average, and individual ramps get noticeably steeper. Nearly all of the day's climbing therefore comes in one piece.
At the top a short, almost level stretch runs to about kilometre 5.6. From there the route drops quickly, losing a little over 130 metres in not much more than a kilometre. From kilometre 7 it is flat again all the way to the finish. Your watch will show around 8.4 kilometres at the end, slightly more than the name promises.
The Trail des Arts is run by a team of engineering students, and its appeal lies in the setting: start and finish are in the Abbey of Cluny, surrounded by a landscape of forest paths, vineyards, wooded hills and ridges. Gourmet refreshments are part of the shortest course too, so you do not have to run the long distance to try them.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.9 | 2 km | 6.8 % | 13.6 % | +135 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 des Arts.
Start under control
The flat opening is also this course's biggest trap. Without a gradient a high pace feels cheap, and if you run the first three kilometres like a road race you reach the foot of the climb with your heart rate already up. Run this part at a pace where you could still speak in full sentences.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 3 and 5. Nearly all the climbing sits here, and with it the biggest time gap between a good day and a bad one. Start the climb deliberately below what feels possible, shorten your stride and walk the steepest ramps briskly when running them costs more than it returns. Do not stop at the top: the level stretch is your recovery, and it happens on the move.
Spend what is left
Stay loose on the descent and brake only where the ground demands it. After that it comes down to what you have left: the flat final section rewards anyone who did not overreach on the hill, because level ground is where time can still be won back.
Training plan for Trail des Arts: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group athletes are out for roughly 50 to 75 minutes here. The effort is mostly aerobic with one hard block in the middle: depending on your form the climb takes 15 to 25 minutes and pushes you close to threshold. There is little true recovery afterwards, because the descent needs your full attention.
Train race pace
The race turns on that one climb, so it deserves the key session of your week. Hill intervals of eight to twelve minutes on a gradient of around seven percent match the demand. Build over the weeks towards one continuous block as long as the climb itself. Practise switching between running and brisk walking as you go, because on the steepest ramps walking is the right call even at this distance.
Rehearse the course
With flat kilometres before and after the climb, speed on level ground belongs in the preparation as well. A good key session: warm up, run one long hill block, jog easily down and add one quick flat kilometre at the end. It teaches you to get your legs turning again after the descent.
Arrive fresh
The race is on 10 April, so most of your preparation falls in winter and early spring. Move at least one run a week from tarmac onto forest paths during that time, so your ankles and footing adapt to uneven ground and race day is not the first time you run a descent on this kind of surface.
Courses
Download the Trail des Arts course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Trail des Arts 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 des Arts.
How long is Trail des Arts?
Trail des Arts is 8 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 des Arts have?
Trail des Arts has around 166 m of elevation gain over 8 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Trail des Arts?
Trail des Arts is classified as Hilly, averaging 19.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 33% of the route is flat, 33% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 6% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Trail des Arts have?
The hardest climb of Trail des Arts starts at kilometre 2.9, runs for 2 km at an average of 6.8% and gains 135 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4.
Is Trail des Arts a loop course?
Yes, Trail des Arts is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Trail des Arts course?
Yes. The Trail des Arts 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 des Arts?
Preparation for Trail des Arts should account for 8 km, 166 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 des Arts?
The pacing strategy for Trail des Arts should reflect 8 km, 166 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 des Arts take place?
Trail des Arts takes place on April 10, 2027.
Where does Trail des Arts take place?
Trail des Arts takes place in Cluny, France.
Which distances does Trail des Arts offer?
Trail des Arts offers 3 distances — Trail des Arts 8 km: 8 km; Trail des Arts 15 km: 15 km; Trail des Arts 33 km: 33 km.
How do I register for Trail des Arts?
Registration runs through the organiser: traildesarts.fr. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
