Var Verdon Trail Canyon.
The Trail des Balcons du Verdon is the long loop of the Var Verdon Trail Canyon: 40 km from Aiguines down towards the Lac de Sainte-Croix, through the Cirque de Vaumale on the rim of the Verdon gorge and finally up the Grand Margès. Its hardest climbing is saved almost entirely for the last ten kilometres. Also known as Verdon Canyon Challenge.
Var Verdon Trail Canyon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are in the heart of Aiguines, high above the Lac de Sainte-Croix. The first ten kilometres fall almost without a break to the Galetas aid station at the mouth of the gorge, at a little over 550 m. Two short, very steep climbs over scree follow: about 230 m in 1.4 km from km 10, and another 200 m from km 12.6, up to the Col d'Illoire at around km 14.
From the col the course drops into the Cirque de Vaumale. This is the most technical part of the route, an exposed path on the rim of the gorge that the organiser secures with fixed ropes and a mountain guide. Via the Petite Forêt aid station it runs a loop out to Les Cavaliers and returns to Petite Forêt a second time, a rolling stretch between 800 and 950 m from km 15 to km 30.
Then comes the climb that decides the race: almost 600 m in 4.8 km from km 30, with pitches above 30 percent, to the top of the Grand Margès, at just over 1,550 m the high point. The view runs from the Mediterranean to the Southern Alps. The descent to Aiguines is stony, with high steps and roots, and in places skirts the drop.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 5.4 | 1.5 km | 7.7 % | 20.3 % | +117 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 10.1 | 1.4 km | 17.4 % | 39.5 % | +234 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 12.7 | 1.3 km | 16 % | 36.9 % | +204 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 16.6 | 0.4 km | 13.7 % | 19 % | +55 m | — |
| km 17.2 | 0.7 km | 10.5 % | 32 % | +76 m | — |
| km 24.2 | 0.4 km | 9 % | 14.4 % | +36 m | — |
| km 25.1 | 1.7 km | 5.9 % | 12.4 % | +100 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 30.2 | 4.8 km | 12.6 % | 32.7 % | +598 m | Cat. 2 |
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 Var Verdon Trail Canyon.
Start under control
The opening is the first trap: ten kilometres of almost nothing but downhill, in the cool of the early start, invite a pace that spends your quads before the first climb. Run it relaxed and controlled; the ramps to the Col d'Illoire are too steep to run anyway and get hiked.
Hold your rhythm
In the Cirque de Vaumale only safety counts. Nobody loses the race by walking slowly there, but a fall can end it. The rolling middle around Petite Forêt is the place to eat, drink and run evenly without pushing every short rise.
Spend what is left
Everything is decided from km 30. Runners with fresh legs gain minutes on the Grand Margès, those who overspent earlier lose them. Hike the climb with poles at a rhythm you can hold for 45 minutes or more, and keep some concentration for the stony descent to the finish.
Training plan for Var Verdon Trail Canyon: 12-week build
Build the base
For an age-group runner the 40 km take roughly six to ten hours depending on level. The effort is aerobic but very irregular: nearly half the course is steep uphill or downhill, and there is hardly any flat ground.
Train race pace
The race-deciding section is the long climb up the Grand Margès after 30 km. Train steep uphill hiking with poles for 30 to 50 minutes at a time, ideally late in long sessions, so you do not meet this effort for the first time on tired legs. The two short scree ramps before the Col d'Illoire also ask for strength on loose ground.
Rehearse the course
Downhill running matters just as much. The race opens with ten kilometres of descent and finishes on a stony, stepped drop. Eccentric quad strength, ankle stability and regular running on rocky terrain belong in every week; the path through the Cirque de Vaumale also demands sure footing on exposed ground.
Arrive fresh
Early June in Provence can already be hot, and the organiser also warns of storms and sudden weather changes. Practise drinking from a bladder of around one and a half litres in warm conditions, since aid stations come only about every ten kilometres.
Courses
Download the Var Verdon Trail Canyon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Var Verdon Trail Canyon.
How long is Var Verdon Trail Canyon?
Var Verdon Trail Canyon is 40 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 Var Verdon Trail Canyon have?
Var Verdon Trail Canyon has around 1,903 m of elevation gain over 40 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Var Verdon Trail Canyon?
Var Verdon Trail Canyon is classified as Mountainous, averaging 47 vertical metres per kilometre. 10% of the route is flat, 22% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 23% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Var Verdon Trail Canyon have?
The hardest climb of Var Verdon Trail Canyon starts at kilometre 30.2, runs for 4.8 km at an average of 12.6% and gains 598 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Var Verdon Trail Canyon a loop course?
Yes, Var Verdon Trail Canyon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Var Verdon Trail Canyon course?
Yes. The Var Verdon Trail Canyon 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 Var Verdon Trail Canyon?
Preparation for Var Verdon Trail Canyon should account for 40 km, 1,903 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 Var Verdon Trail Canyon?
The pacing strategy for Var Verdon Trail Canyon should reflect 40 km, 1,903 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 Var Verdon Trail Canyon take place?
Var Verdon Trail Canyon takes place on June 6, 2027.
Where does Var Verdon Trail Canyon take place?
Var Verdon Trail Canyon takes place in Aiguines, France.
Which distances does Var Verdon Trail Canyon offer?
Var Verdon Trail Canyon offers 4 distances — Trail des Balcons du Verdon: 40 km; Trail du Grand Margès: 24 km; Trail du Cirque de Vaumale: 17 km; Trail Race for Equity: 8 km.
How do I register for Var Verdon Trail Canyon?
Registration runs through the organiser: varverdontrailcanyon.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
