Tour de la Gela – 40 km

This route is subject to change at a later date for administrative or practical reasons, or due to the condition of the trails.

Attention : demanding mountain course with aerial passages, steep climbs and significant semi-autonomy.The route includes many sections on mountain trails where it is difficult to run, particularly towards Port Vieux.

The race will start on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in Piau-Engaly, covering approximately 42 kilometres with an elevation gain of 3,400 metres.

The runners will complete a loop passing through the top of the resort in order to spread out the pack. They will pass through the Piau-Engaly refreshment station, then descend to the chapelle des Templiers via the village of Le Plan. A very long climb will first take them to Port Vieux, then to the Pic de l'Aiguillette.

They will then descend along the Hourquet stream to reach the refreshment station at the Bielsa Nord tunnel.

The climb to the port de Bielsa is demanding. They will then cross into Spain. The Cirque de Pinarra will then open up before you. A short descent via hairpin bends will take you to the Camino de Puerto Viejo. A tough climb then awaits you to return via Port Vieux and reach the highest point of the race: the Pic de Port Vieux, at an altitude of 2,723 metres, overlooking the lac de Barroude.

Descend along the lake, following the majestic Barroude wall, then a short, steep climb to reach the Hourquette de Chermentas.  Descend to the lac de Badet, then arrive at Piau-Engaly.

The best runners could take a little over 5 hours, while the time limit is set so that the last runners finish in less than 12 hours.