Festival Trail du Cœur des Landes

Festival Trail du Cœur des Landes: Ultra-trail in the Gascogne Forest

The Festival Trail du Cœur des Landes has established itself as one of the unmissable trail running events in the Southwest. Organized every spring in Pontonx-sur-l'Adour by the association Les Coureurs du Pignada, this event offers a range of races to suit all types of runners, from beginners to experienced ultra-trailers.

Four distances, four adventures

The festival offers a complete range of events crossing the Gascogne forest:

• 60 km Ultra-trail: the flagship event of the 2026 edition, a long-distance challenge through the most beautiful areas of the Landes forest for seasoned runners
• 42 km Marathon: the mythical distance transposed into a trail race, with a women's relay option to share the effort between two
• 21 km Half-marathon: a demanding course but accessible to regular runners, offering a beautiful crossing of the Gascogne forest
• 12 km Short Trail: a discovery event ideal for beginners and occasional trail runners

Single loop courses

One of the unique features of the Festival Trail du Cœur des Landes is that all courses are single loops, with no repeated sections. Runners cross the towns of Bégaar, Laluque, Lesgor, and Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, running on forest paths, hunting trails, and sandy tracks in the heart of the Gascogne forest. This variety of terrain and landscapes makes each kilometer different from the previous one.

The Gourmet Hike

For non-runners, the festival offers a 12 km gourmet hike that allows participants to discover the Landes forest at a leisurely pace, punctuated by gastronomic stops showcasing local products. This friendly format embodies the spirit of the festival: combining sport and pleasure.

The Finish at the Bullring

All courses converge at the Pontonx-sur-l'Adour bullring, where every finisher is welcomed in a festive atmosphere. A meal is served at the bullring for all participants, in the tradition of Landes hospitality. The afternoon is dedicated to the children's trail, allowing the youngest to experience their own sporting adventure.

A Growing Event

Since its creation, the Festival Trail du Cœur des Landes has continued to grow, attracting runners from all over Nouvelle-Aquitaine and beyond. The addition of the 60 km in 2026 reflects this ambition to offer increasingly varied challenges. The association Les Coureurs du Pignada, based in Pontonx, mobilizes numerous volunteers to ensure the quality of the organization and the safety of the runners on the courses.