Trail du Cap Orne.
The Ultra Trail du Cap Orne is the long Saturday loop of the Trail du Cap Orne weekend in Feuguerolles-Bully: one big circuit on and around the GR36 long-distance path through the Orne valley south of Caen, more than four fifths of it off-road. The climbing does not come from a mountain but from dozens of short, often very steep valley sides, bunched into the middle of the race.
Trail du Cap Orne 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
From the start in Feuguerolles-Bully the course drops to the Orne and stays close to the river for the first quarter, with the first aid station at Laize-Clinchamps and a longer, steady climb around kilometre 22 up towards Grimbosq. Then it gets hillier: via Les Moutiers-en-Cinglais and Croisilles the route heads south into the country around Thury-Harcourt, where the valley sides are steepest.
The heart of the race lies between kilometres 37 and 55: a sequence of short walls of 60 to just over 100 metres at 9 to 14 per cent on average, with ramps beyond 20 per cent, around the Chapelle de la Métairie, which you pass through twice as an aid station. You never get much above 180 metres, but hardly a kilometre is level. Via Ouffières, Montillières-sur-Orne and the Val de Maizet the route then rolls back north and down to Feuguerolles-Bully.
The race is run semi-self-supported on forest and farm tracks, riverside paths and sections of the GR36, through eleven communes of the Orne valley. Late May can already be properly warm here: the organiser reports that the 2026 edition was run in over 30 degrees. For 2027 the organiser announces 85 instead of 82 kilometres; the line shown here is the 2026 loop.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 21.7 | 1.8 km | 3.3 % | 6.5 % | +58 m | — |
| km 37 | 0.7 km | 10.4 % | 16.4 % | +75 m | — |
| km 41.5 | 1 km | 10.9 % | 25.5 % | +106 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 43.6 | 0.6 km | 11.6 % | 21.6 % | +69 m | — |
| km 45.6 | 1.1 km | 8.4 % | 16.3 % | +95 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 49.1 | 0.4 km | 14.1 % | 25.5 % | +56 m | — |
| km 53.4 | 1 km | 8.7 % | 18.3 % | +87 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 65.6 | 1.7 km | 5.6 % | 10.7 % | +92 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 du Cap Orne.
Start under control
The first 35 or so kilometres are where you can lose the most without noticing. The ground along the Orne is flat to rolling and invites a pace that you pay for in the steep middle section. Run here so that you still feel fresh at kilometre 37, and use the Grimbosq aid station to refill rather than to rush through.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 37 and 55. The walls are too steep and too short to run evenly: power-hike the steepest ramps with a strong stride, run the gentler bits in between easily, and let your legs go on the short, steep descents without braking more than your quads can afford. After that, only the climb around kilometre 66 is a longer one.
Spend what is left
The biggest trap is heat. With a morning start you reach the steep part around midday, and in a semi-self-supported race a lot depends on carrying enough fluid between aid stations.
Training plan for Trail du Cap Orne: 12-week build
Build the base
For most amateur runners the ultra means some eight to eleven hours of effort, a long and mostly aerobic endurance load. The many short steep pitches make it anything but uniform, though: each wall brings a short, hard strength effort followed by a steep descent, dozens of times in a row.
Train race pace
So train specifically for what the middle section demands. Hill repeats on short, steep climbs of 50 to 100 metres, alternating running and a strong power-hike, prepare you for the walls around the Chapelle de la Métairie. Long runs on rolling ground where the hills come only in the second half simulate a race that only turns hard after 35 kilometres.
Rehearse the course
The downhills decide how the last 30 kilometres go. Short, steep descents on forest tracks, deliberately run on tired legs in training, make your quads more robust; strength work for legs and core helps on top.
Arrive fresh
Plan for heat and self-sufficiency too: practise running with a full hydration vest for many hours, test your fuelling in warm weather, and get used to running in the midday warmth in the weeks before late May.
Courses
Download the Trail du Cap Orne course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Trail du Cap Orne 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 du Cap Orne.
How long is Trail du Cap Orne?
Trail du Cap Orne is 85 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 du Cap Orne have?
Trail du Cap Orne has around 1,814 m of elevation gain over 85 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Trail du Cap Orne?
Trail du Cap Orne is classified as Hilly, averaging 22.1 vertical metres per kilometre. 16% of the route is flat, 33% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 8% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Trail du Cap Orne have?
The hardest climb of Trail du Cap Orne starts at kilometre 41.5, runs for 1 km at an average of 10.9% and gains 106 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 4. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Trail du Cap Orne a loop course?
Yes, Trail du Cap Orne is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Trail du Cap Orne course?
Yes. The Trail du Cap Orne 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 du Cap Orne?
Preparation for Trail du Cap Orne should account for 85 km, 1,814 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 du Cap Orne?
The pacing strategy for Trail du Cap Orne should reflect 85 km, 1,814 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 du Cap Orne take place?
Trail du Cap Orne takes place on May 22, 2027.
Where does Trail du Cap Orne take place?
Trail du Cap Orne takes place in Feuguerolles-Bully, France.
Which distances does Trail du Cap Orne offer?
Trail du Cap Orne offers 4 distances — Ultra Trail du Cap Orne: 85 km; Trail du Cap Orne: 40 km; Trail de la Guigne: 14 km; Trail Guignette: 8 km.
How do I register for Trail du Cap Orne?
Registration runs through the organiser: traildelaguigne.fr. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
