Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB.
The Ultra du Saint Jacques is the longest race of the Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB: about 140 kilometres from Saugues through the Allier gorges and across the volcanic Velay plateau to the foot of Le Puy-en-Velay cathedral. The Friday-evening start sends you straight into a night of steep counter-climbs, but the real test is the second half on tired legs.
Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The course is a point-to-point route on and around the GR 65 pilgrim path to Santiago, on footpaths, farm tracks and stony passages. It starts in Saugues, drops past Saint-Julien-des-Chazes into the Allier valley at a little over 530 metres, then climbs for three kilometres at ten percent to the Col de la Durande, the high point of the opening section at around 1,250 metres. Via Prades it returns to the Allier with short, very steep ramps before reaching Monistrol-d'Allier and its Eiffel bridge at kilometre 56.
From Monistrol the Ultra follows the Grand Trail route: almost four kilometres and about 470 metres up to the chapel of Saint-Jacques de Rochegude, through the Rouchoux canyon and steeply on to Saint-Jean-Lachalm. After Alleyras comes the long ascent to the high plateau around Lac du Bouchet, which you cross for many kilometres at a little over 1,200 metres until Mont Devès, around kilometre 112 and roughly 1,300 metres, sets the last big summit.
From there the course rolls down via Bains, Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaizon and the stone landscape of the Chibottes to Le Puy-en-Velay, finishing after a last climb to the Notre-Dame cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our profile adds up to about 5,500 metres of climbing; the organiser gives 6,000.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 18.5 | 1.6 km | 13.2 % | 30.1 % | +205 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 25.1 | 3.3 km | 10.4 % | 24.5 % | +341 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 41.5 | 1.4 km | 15.8 % | 45 % | +221 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 47 | 2.8 km | 10.2 % | 30.5 % | +284 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 56.4 | 3.9 km | 11.9 % | 29 % | +466 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 70.4 | 1.6 km | 15.3 % | 34.5 % | +242 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 89.9 | 3.2 km | 8.3 % | 25.3 % | +263 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 107.4 | 3.4 km | 7.7 % | 35.1 % | +263 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 Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB.
Start under control
You run most of the first 56 kilometres to Monistrol in the dark, and they already hold almost a third of the total climbing, with the ascent of the Col de la Durande and the steep ramps around Prades. Take those climbs firmly below threshold and run the descents into the Allier valley by headlamp with control rather than speed: there is little time to gain there and a lot of quad to lose.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between Monistrol and Mont Devès. The climb to Rochegude, the short walls around Saint-Jean-Lachalm with pitches above 30 percent and the long haul onto the Bouchet plateau arrive after 15 to 20 hours on your feet and a sleepless night. On the plateau the ground eases and becomes runnable, and that is where anyone with legs left gains places.
Spend what is left
The trap is at the end: after Mont Devès there are still more than 25 kilometres, mostly downhill, through the stony Chibottes and up the final climb to the cathedral. Runners who did not budget for those descending kilometres lose the most time there.
Training plan for Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB: 12-week build
Build the base
For most runners the Ultra means 24 to 31 hours of effort, including a full night straight after the start. The effort is mostly steady and aerobic, but it is constantly broken by short, very steep climbs that you hike and that call for strength rather than speed.
Train race pace
The race-deciding phases are the second half of the night and the morning, with the Rochegude, Rouchoux canyon and Saint-Jean-Lachalm block, and the long descending stretch after Mont Devès. Train steep power hiking, with poles or hands on knees, over long sessions, and above all the eccentric strength to handle many downhill kilometres while fatigued.
Rehearse the course
Long training days with 2,000 to 3,000 metres of climbing on footpaths, back-to-back weekends and at least one night session by headlamp on stony ground belong in the build. Rehearse fuelling over a whole day too, because with a single life-base stop you are largely self-sufficient for long stretches.
Arrive fresh
The race runs in June between 530 and a little over 1,400 metres, with open high plateaus and deeply cut valleys. Plan kit both for a cool night on the plateau and for a long day in the sun.
Courses
Download the Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB.
How long is Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB?
Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB is 140 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 Saint-Jacques by UTMB have?
Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB has around 5,460 m of elevation gain over 140 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB?
Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB is classified as Mountainous, averaging 39.7 vertical metres per kilometre. 9% of the route is flat, 24% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 20% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB have?
The hardest climb of Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB starts at kilometre 56.4, runs for 3.9 km at an average of 11.9% and gains 466 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB a loop course?
No, Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB course?
Yes. The Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB 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 Saint-Jacques by UTMB?
Preparation for Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB should account for 140 km, 5,460 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 Saint-Jacques by UTMB?
The pacing strategy for Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB should reflect 140 km, 5,460 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 Saint-Jacques by UTMB take place?
Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB takes place on June 18, 2027.
Where does Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB take place?
Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB takes place in Le Puy-en-Velay, France.
Which distances does Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB offer?
Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB offers 5 distances — Ultra du Saint Jacques - 100M: 140 km; Grand Trail du Saint Jacques - 100K: 88 km; Monistrail - 50K: 55 km; Les Chibottes - 20K: 28 km; Le 12 du Dolaizon: 12 km.
How do I register for Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB?
Registration runs through the organiser: saint-jacques.utmb.world. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
