Trail des Sources de la Loire

With today’s schedule, you won’t risk sleeping like a dormouse!

If you’re looking for an ultra-trail in the heart of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes ? The Trail des Sources de la Loire has everything to win you over! In Costaros, in the Haute-Loire department, this exceptional race invites you at the end of October to test yourself against the elements. 🏞️

It isn’t strictly necessary to be a trail nut to participate. There’s also something for seasoned amateurs. So on the menu, 7 distances: 11 km, 18 km, 32 km, 38 km, 50 km, 61 km and finally the mammoth 111 km.

Just a few kilometres from the Puy-en-Velay, this Trail des Sources is a monument to the sport. And whatever your route, you’ll run on trails, singletracks and forest paths, snow might well make an appearance in the cols and ridges, so be careful ❄️! The difficulty of the courses requires excellent physical conditioning since in autumn, in the mountains, you’ll climb up to 1700 m above sea level and sometimes in the semi-dark. As for the tracés (routes), they’ll be straight on, with the exception of the 111 km which will have you looping around Costaros. Speaking of which, it’s the legendary race, so we’ll tell you what to expect! You’ll first pass through the villages of Bessarioux, Fleurac and Goudet, then through the forest of Mézenc and the Tourte rock (we know the course might have you craving a slice, but no pie on the rock... sorry!). Next, Les Estables will lead you to Mount Mézenc before approaching the Col de la Clède via the Gerbier de Jonc ⛰️. Then you’ll tackle three sucs : Séponet, Montfol and Cherchemus before skirting the Issarlès Lake. Finally, you’ll pass through Arlempdes to finish your journey at Costaros, the finish location of all the races. 🏁

Once you’re done, we recommend the Puy-en-Velay greenway for a bike ride along a magnificent disused railway line, with tunnels and valleys, if you still have a little strength, of course. Regarding your gastronomic discoveries, you must absolutely try the unrivaled lentille verte du Puy and the fromage aux artisous, both accompanied by a Verveine du Velay as a drink (to be enjoyed in moderation, it’s not herbal tea). 😅

Want to recharge your energy? Then you’re in the right place! The Haute-GLoire is yours 💪!