the Trail du Cirque du Fer à Cheval: Course, Elevation & Route Profile

Course & Elevation

The course climbs early: after a kilometre and a half it rises 1.5 kilometres at almost twelve per cent out of the valley, and from kilometre nine a climb of nearly four kilometres and about 290 metres leads towards the Cirque du Fer à Cheval, the rock amphitheatre above Les Planches-près-Arbois that gives the race its name. The first aid station sits at the Fer à Cheval.

The second half is the real race. The climbs get shorter and steeper, around 220 to 250 metres each at kilometres 28 and 37 at fifteen to eighteen per cent, and at kilometre 42 comes the junction where you may switch to the 46 km. Carry on and the two hardest ramps are still ahead: about 365 metres from kilometre 55 and 305 metres from kilometre 61, reaching the high point of just under 800 metres at kilometre 63. The aid stations at Fort Saint-André, Saint-Thiébaud and Aiglepierre then lead through the villages back to Arbois. A fifth of the course is steep uphill and another fifth steep downhill.

Pacing Strategy

With a 15-hour limit and cut-offs at the Fer à Cheval (9:15) and the junction (13:30), the opening is no place for speed. Power-hike every steep ramp, run the flat vineyard paths easily and keep reserves until kilometre 42, because the two longest climbs sit between kilometres 55 and 63. Plan the barriers at Fort Saint-André (15:30), Saint-Thiébaud (18:00) and Aiglepierre (19:30) with a margin.

Training plan for the Trail du Cirque du Fer à Cheval: 12-week build

Train long runs of five to seven hours on hilly ground and include short, very steep climbs of thirty per cent and more, hiked with or without poles. Practise the steep descents just as much, because they make up a fifth of the course. In March the Jura is often cool and wet: test headlamp, rain jacket and the mandatory kit on long sessions beforehand.