Le Tour du Nipalou

"If nature isn’t worth knowing, life isn’t worth living."

There you have it, philosophy of the day for a moment—every now and then we like to reflect at Finishers 🤓. No, more seriously, this is the perfect summary of the Tour du Nipalou : breathe in the nature to the fullest and discover corners unfairly little-known in the heart of the Massif central ⛰️. With this race, you’ll feel more alive than ever, in total harmony with the surrounding nature! 😌

A must-attend event in the Cantal, the Tour du Nipalou delights trail runners in mountains for over a quarter of a century 👴, every autumn 🍁. In October, the small village of Lorcièrespopulated by about 200 inhabitants and perched above the ancient volcano of Nipalou 🌋where hundreds of trail runners and hikers rush in with big strides 🏃‍♂️ to enjoy a genuinely authentic and pristine nature 🌿, in the heart of the Margeride 💚. A massif with a striking relief that pleases trail lovers 📈, who aren’t afraid to face the slightly chilly temperatures of early autumn 🥶. But above all, it offers a simply wonderful slice of nature, between forests of pines 🌲, a few spruces or beeches, blueberries 🫐 and abundant mushrooms 🍄, and stunning viewpoints 👀. Located a few hours from Lyon, Valence and Clermont-Ferrand 📍, the small commune of Lorcières offers a setting otherworldly, green and reinvigorating 🥰.

For this mountain running race 🏔️, the distances offered by the organizers are many. From a non-race or at a more relaxed pace, you’ll get to discover trails, underwood paths, meadows and pastures in autumnal colors in a peaceful atmosphere 🍂. For the chrono fans ⏱️, 4 trails are planned, including the big one: the "Grand Tour du Nipalou". With its 53 km and 2 540 m D+, it’s imposing and perfect for trail enthusiasts 😎. This race is a qualifying event for the UTMB®, just like the 21 km, it will let you discover the magnificent cirques of Paladines and Chaliers 😍. Smaller but just as charming, the "Petit Tour du Nipalou" of 21 km with still 1 020 m D+ will take you to run on the the summits of Puech de Madame, the Bastide High but also… the one and only Nipalou ! Two other, more accessible trails, of 12 km and 3.8 km complete the lineup 💪. In addition to trails, 4 hikes are on the program: from 6 km, 9 km, 18 km or 20 km, there’s something for all levels ☝️. And of course, children 🧒 won’t be left out with 3 races dedicated to them, from 700 m to 2.2 km. The Tour du Nipalou is a human adventure 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦, to be lived from 7 to 77 years…

Discovering the Massif central, that place runs deep! 😋 That’s good news, because organizers have thought of everything: a delicious aligot homemade will be waiting for you after your race 🍽️. With this local specialty based on mashed potatoes and fresh tomme 🧀, you’ll be energized to extend your stay in the region 😜. La Margeride, a true haven of peace with its forests without end and its sparkling lakes, has yet more to reveal 🤩. For a more urban but equally immersive experience, you can opt for the medieval town of Malzieu 🏰. Located just a few minutes from Lorcières, it will let you hop back in time by several centuries thanks to its exceptionally well-preserved heritage 🏛️.

The Tour du Nipalou isn’t just a beautiful trail in a phenomenal natural setting ✨. So, will we see you at the start line? 🏁