Ultra Tour des Côtes-d'Armor

The Ultra Tour des Cotes-d'Armor is a 92-kilometer ultra trail race with 3,200 meters of elevation gain starting from Lannion, in Cotes-d'Armor. This major event crosses one of the richest departments in Brittany for coastal and inland landscapes, offering ultra runners a physical and mental challenge worthy of the wild beauty of the territory traversed.

The start from Lannion, a historic town bathed by the Leguer river, sets the tone for the adventure. Runners set off into the night, first crossing the medieval streets of the town before reaching the coastal paths that border the Pink Granite Coast. This section of the course is one of the most spectacular in all of French trail running: enormous blocks of pink granite, sculpted by millions of years of marine erosion, form fantastic shapes along the shore. Ploumanach, Tregastel, Perros-Guirec, names that evoke a coastline unique in the world.

The 3,200 meters of elevation gain accumulate along a course that constantly alternates between coastal portions and passages through the hinterland. Runners climb inland hills, cross wooded valleys, follow estuaries and marshes before returning to the crash of waves on the cliffs. The terrain is extremely varied: pink granite trails along the coast, sunken lanes bordered by embankments and oaks, forest tracks, passages through gorse and heather moorland.

The difficulty of this race lies as much in its length as in its broken profile. The climbs are rarely long but incessant, the descents technical and sometimes treacherous on wet ground. Managing effort over 92 kilometers, with terrain variations and often capricious Breton weather conditions, demands solid experience and a well-thought-out race strategy.

The course crosses remarkable natural sites: the Sept-Iles ornithological reserve, visible from the coast, the granite chaos of Ploumanach, the Pleumeur-Bodou heathland, and the deep valleys of the Tregor. Runners also pass through villages of character, with their granite churches, wash houses, and fountains, testimonies of a centuries-old Breton rural heritage.

Aid stations, strategically distributed along the course, offer nutrition adapted to long-duration effort while highlighting local specialties. Night-time assistance is particularly well organized, with lit points and numerous volunteers to guide and encourage runners through the most difficult moments.

The Ultra Tour des Cotes-d'Armor is an event for experienced runners, capable of managing effort over an entire day or even longer for the most cautious paces. The time limit is generous, allowing a wide range of profiles to attempt the adventure. The reward matches the commitment: crossing Cotes-d'Armor from north to south, from sea to hinterland, provides a deep sense of accomplishment and an intimate knowledge of this exceptional Breton territory.