Le Trail des Baruleurs.
Le Trail des Baruleurs sends its long course out of Chambon with almost no run-up: inside the first kilometre the path turns upward towards more than 600 metres, and three more big ascents follow. Prepare for around 1,000 metres of climbing in the Haute Vallée de la Cèze, nearly all of it packed into steep ramps.
Le Trail des Baruleurs 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are on the Place du village in Chambon, and only the opening stays quiet. Just before kilometre 1 the biggest climb of the day begins, around 340 metres of ascent in one go. It averages 20 percent, and by its end a third of the total climbing is already done. Until about kilometre 3.7 the course then stays up at just over 600 metres, the highest part of the race. Three kilometres of descent follow, then an almost level stretch that also holds the first aid station at kilometre 7.1.
The second half breaks the race into shorter pieces. From kilometre 8.9, 210 metres of ascent come in little more than a kilometre, barely less steep than the first climb, before a long descent to kilometre 14 drops you almost back to valley level. The third big climb, at 8 percent, is the most even and ends shortly before the aid station at kilometre 16. Straight after it the path falls away steeply, from kilometre 16.9 it takes on another 190 metres, and the last kilometre and a half run downhill back to Chambon.
The terrain shapes the day: paths through chestnut groves, schist ridges, bridges over the Homol and the Luech. The routes link the four communes of Chambon, Génolhac, Sénéchas and La Vernarède, and the long course has just 99 places. That makes for a small spring trail where you will probably run long stretches on your own.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.9 | 1.7 km | 20 % | 39.5 % | +339 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 3.4 | 0.4 km | 6.8 % | 10.1 % | +24 m | — |
| km 8.9 | 1.2 km | 18.2 % | 25.4 % | +210 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 10.3 | 0.3 km | 7.5 % | 11.4 % | +22 m | — |
| km 13.9 | 1.9 km | 8.1 % | 19.3 % | +155 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 16.9 | 1.4 km | 14.2 % | 24.3 % | +191 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 Le Trail des Baruleurs.
Start under control
Plan this race in four blocks, one per big climb, and power-walk the steep ramps from the start instead of running them. At 14 to 20 percent, running costs a lot of strength and gains little time. You make that time on the descents and on the almost level section around kilometre 8, and only on legs that did not empty themselves higher up.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 14 and 18. The third climb is shallow enough to run, and anyone who still can will gain minutes there. Then comes the hardest combination of the day: the steep drop behind the aid station at kilometre 16, followed at once by the last ramp, averaging 14 percent.
Spend what is left
The biggest trap sits right at the beginning. The first climb starts before you are warm, and in a small field the fastest runners pull you along easily. Overreach there and you pay first on the three downhill kilometres after kilometre 3.7, then across the whole second half.
Training plan for Le Trail des Baruleurs: 12-week build
Build the base
Expect roughly 2:45 to 4 hours of effort. This is no steady long run but an alternation of strong uphill walking and running with hard work for the quads on the way down, since about half the course is steep in one direction or the other. It remains an aerobic effort all the same: push into the red on the ramps and this course offers little chance of coming back from it.
Train race pace
The key moment comes late. The last ramp waits after kilometre 16, with more than 750 metres of ascent already in your legs, and right after a steep descent. So place the steepest climbs of your long runs in their final third, and finish them with a controlled downhill.
Rehearse the course
For the climbs you need repeated efforts of ten to twenty minutes on the steepest ground you can find, walking hard with running mixed in. For the descents it comes down to quads and technique on paths: practise quick downhills regularly and on tired legs, because the race covers at least as much ground going down as going up.
Arrive fresh
The date of 4 April puts your most important weeks in winter, so schedule the steep sessions early. Where your home terrain is flat, stairs or an inclined treadmill will help. The two aid stations are nine kilometres and two big climbs apart, so use your long runs to practise looking after yourself on the move.
Courses
Download the Le Trail des Baruleurs course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Le Trail des Baruleurs 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 Le Trail des Baruleurs.
How long is Le Trail des Baruleurs?
Le Trail des Baruleurs is 20 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 Le Trail des Baruleurs have?
Le Trail des Baruleurs has around 1,009 m of elevation gain over 20 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Le Trail des Baruleurs?
Le Trail des Baruleurs is classified as Mountainous, averaging 49.7 vertical metres per kilometre. 8% of the route is flat, 19% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 25% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Le Trail des Baruleurs have?
The hardest climb of Le Trail des Baruleurs starts at kilometre 0.9, runs for 1.7 km at an average of 20% and gains 339 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 6 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Le Trail des Baruleurs a loop course?
Yes, Le Trail des Baruleurs is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Le Trail des Baruleurs course?
Yes. The Le Trail des Baruleurs 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 Le Trail des Baruleurs?
Preparation for Le Trail des Baruleurs should account for 20 km, 1,009 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 Le Trail des Baruleurs?
The pacing strategy for Le Trail des Baruleurs should reflect 20 km, 1,009 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 Le Trail des Baruleurs 2027 take place?
Le Trail des Baruleurs 2027 takes place on April 4, 2027.
Where does Le Trail des Baruleurs 2027 take place?
Le Trail des Baruleurs 2027 takes place in Chambon, France.
Which distances does Le Trail des Baruleurs offer?
Le Trail des Baruleurs offers 2 distances — Trail 20 km: 20 km; Trail 10 km: 10 km.
How do I register for Le Trail des Baruleurs?
Registration runs through the organiser: traildesbaruleurs.fr. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
