Trail du Pic du Midi

The Trail du Pic du Midi is a 40-kilometer trail race with 2,800 meters of elevation gain, taking place in the Hautes-Pyrenees, starting from La Mongie, a ski resort situated at 1,800 meters altitude on the eastern side of the Col du Tourmalet. The Pic du Midi de Bigorre, a mythical summit reaching 2,877 meters and world-famous for its astronomical observatory, is the guardian figure of this race. The Trail du Pic du Midi is an ascent toward the stars, a race that takes trail runners as close as possible to one of the most iconic peaks in the Pyrenees.

The Pic du Midi de Bigorre holds a special place in the Pyrenean imagination. Its observatory, perched at the summit since the late 19th century, is one of the most renowned astronomical sites in the world. At night, the sky above the Pic du Midi is of exceptional purity, classified as an International Dark Sky Reserve. By day, the panorama from the summit is one of the most extensive in the Pyrenees, embracing the chain over more than 300 kilometers from the Basque Country to Catalonia, with the Gascon plains as a backdrop and, in exceptional conditions, the distant silhouette of the Landes and the ocean.

The 40-kilometer course sets off from La Mongie and explores the valleys and ridges surrounding the Pic du Midi. Runners move through high Pyrenean mountain landscapes, among alpine pastures blooming with irises and gentians, altitude lakes with crystalline waters, granite and schist scree fields, and panoramic ridges offering spectacular views. The Col du Tourmalet, one of the most legendary passes in the Tour de France, is integrated into the course, adding an additional mythical dimension.

The 2,800 meters of elevation gain over 40 kilometers translate to an extremely vertical course. The elevation-to-distance ratio is high, reflecting long and steep climbs toward ridges and high-altitude passes. Certain ascents exceed 2,500 meters, where thinner air demands additional effort. Descents, on technical and sometimes exposed mountain trails, require solid mastery and good terrain reading.

The Pyrenean terrain is demanding and varied. Runners tread classic mountain trails, pastoral tracks through summer pastures where flocks of sheep and cattle graze, technical passages over unstable scree, and ridge sections where wind can blow forcefully. Pyrenean rock, a mix of granite, schist, and limestone, offers variable grip that adds to the course's technicality.

Weather in the high Pyrenean mountains is a decisive factor. The Hautes-Pyrenees are renowned for their changing conditions: the bright morning sun can give way to violent afternoon storms with sudden temperature drops. Fog can envelop summits within minutes, reducing visibility to just a few meters. Mandatory equipment must be taken seriously, even in midsummer.

La Mongie and the surrounding Campan valley offer an authentic mountain setting. Aid stations serve Bigourdan specialties: garbure soup, poule au pot, mountain cheese, and gateau a la broche cake. The atmosphere is convivial and mountainous, carried by passionate volunteers and a knowledgeable public. The Trail du Pic du Midi is a quintessential mountain race, an event that takes runners to the summit of a natural and scientific monument, in the grandiose setting of the Hautes-Pyrenees. It is a race that lifts the gaze toward the sky, both literally and figuratively.

Trail du Pic du Midi is a 40 km trail race with 2,800 m of elevation gain, located in La Mongie, Hautes-Pyrénées. The next edition is scheduled for 9 August 2026.

Find all official information on the race website.