Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche.
The Triathlon L at the Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche starts in the late afternoon in the Ardèche river and finishes after dark: a river swim, one bike loop over the closed scenic road of the Ardèche gorge with the climb to Saint-Remèze, and a three-lap run up to Aiguèze. It is decided on the bike and on the steep lane up to the village. Also known as Triathlon des Gorges - Ardèche et Gard.
Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Everything revolves around Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche: the swim starts in the river at the Moulin, there is one transition on the Quai des Pescadoux, and the finish and race village sit in the middle of the village. The 2,000 metres are swum out and back in the Ardèche. Then comes a 76 km bike loop that climbs onto the Route Touristique des Gorges de l'Ardèche, drops down the Serre de Tourre to the Pont d'Arc, climbs the Razal past the Grotte Chauvet 2 to Saint-Remèze and returns along the gorge road.
The bike is the core of the race. The first ten kilometres lift you from the river onto the rim of the gorge, followed by rolling kilometres high above it, a long descent and a flat stretch in the valley near Vallon, before the Razal climbs for about seven kilometres from km 40 to the highest point of the loop. The gorge road is closed to traffic in the opposite direction.
The run is three 5 km laps, about eighty percent on tarmac: across the temporary boat bridge over the Ardèche, steeply up the cobbled calade to Aiguèze, back over the suspension bridge and through the campsite. The race is a semi-night event; from 21:15 everyone rides with lights.
+1,104 m
+330 m
Bike course
76 km · +1,104 m| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.2 | 0.7 km | 5.9 % | 10.4 % | +40 m | — |
| km 6.1 | 1.9 km | 4.4 % | 8.9 % | +81 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 8.2 | 1.1 km | 4.6 % | 6.6 % | +52 m | — |
| km 13.3 | 0.7 km | 4.2 % | 7.3 % | +28 m | — |
| km 17 | 0.6 km | 4.6 % | 6.2 % | +29 m | — |
| km 23.7 | 0.7 km | 3.6 % | 5.9 % | +25 m | — |
| km 27 | 1.4 km | 4.6 % | 6.7 % | +63 m | — |
| km 40 | 6.9 km | 4.6 % | 17.2 % | +316 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.
Run course
15 km · +330 m| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 2.1 | 0.7 km | 6.2 % | 16.8 % | +45 m | — |
| km 7.1 | 0.7 km | 6.4 % | 16.9 % | +45 m | — |
| km 12.2 | 0.7 km | 6.3 % | 16.6 % | +44 m | — |
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 Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche.
Settle into the race
Plan the race from the bike. The climb straight out of transition onto the rim of the gorge tempts you to ride with your swim heart rate still up; take it easy, because the real work comes from km 40 on the Razal, after the descent and the flat valley section. If you can still pedal evenly there, you will gain more over the last 25 km across the plateau and back along the gorge road than anyone who pushed early.
Spread the effort
The trap is the run. Every lap contains the short, very steep calade up to Aiguèze; run it hard on lap one and you pay on lap three. Walk the steepest part under control if you need to, and keep the flat sections along the river and over the bridges brisk.
Finish strong
Then there is the time of day: you start in the warm late afternoon and most athletes finish at dusk or in the dark. Drink early and regularly on the bike, even though it cools down later.
Training plan for Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche: 12-week build
Build all three disciplines
Most age-group athletes need between just under five and six hours, more than half of it on the bike. The effort is long and mostly aerobic, but not uniform: long climbs, fast descents and a run with three short, hard ramps.
Brick sessions
The Razal in the second half of the bike loop and the calade on every run lap decide the race. Train long rides where the longest climb only comes after two hours, and brick runs with short, steep rises that you take under control off the bike.
Practise transitions
The descent of the Serre de Tourre and the twisting gorge road demand confident cornering without crossing the centre line, which the rules state explicitly. Practise descending with your braking points rather than leaving it to race day.
Arrive fresh
The race falls in July in the Ardèche and runs into the night. Get used to training in late-afternoon heat, do a few rides with lights at dusk and run with the head torch the organiser recommends from 21:15. Swim in open water, ideally in a river too.
Courses
Download each leg of Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche as its own GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche dynamically
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Everything about Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche.
How long is Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche?
Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche is 93 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 Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche have?
Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche has around 1,434 m of elevation gain over 93 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the profile of the bike course at Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche?
The bike course at Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche is classified as Rolling, averaging 14.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 28% of the route is flat, 36% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 2% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does the bike course at Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche have?
The hardest climb on the bike course at Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche starts at kilometre 40, runs for 6.9 km at an average of 4.6% and gains 316 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is there a GPX file for the Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche course?
Yes. Each leg of Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche is on this page as its own free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche?
Preparation for Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche should account for 93 km, 1,434 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 Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche?
The pacing strategy for Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche should reflect 93 km, 1,434 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 Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche take place?
Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche takes place on July 8, 2027.
Where does Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche take place?
Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche takes place in Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, France.
Which distances does Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche offer?
Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche offers 7 distances — Triathlon L: 93 km; Triathlon L Relais: 93 km; Duathlon L: 99 km; SwimBike L: 78.4 km; Triathlon Ms: 43 km; Triathlon Ms Relais: 43 km and 1 more.
How do I register for Triathlon des Gorges de l'Ardèche?
Registration runs through the organiser: triathlondesgorges.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
