La Pastourelle
Trail, VTT and hiking in the heart of the Monts du Cantal
About La Pastourelle
A sporting adventure in the land of Salers
Created in 2001, La Pastourelle was born from the passion of a group of athletes from the PAC MAC club for trail running and outdoor sports in the Monts du Cantal. Since its first edition, the event has continued to grow to become one of the most popular sporting events in the department, attracting over 2,200 participants from all over France each year.
Spectacular courses in the Monts du Cantal
La Pastourelle offers a varied range of events suitable for all levels:
- Le Grand Cirque (60 km): the legendary trail that circles the glacial cirque of Salers, with impressive elevation gain through burons, pastures, and volcanic ridges.
- La Pastourelle (31 km): the emblematic course, solo or in relay (12.5 km + 18.5 km).
- La Buronnière (10 km): a women's race that crosses the green landscapes around Salers.
- Challenge D+4000: a positive elevation gain challenge for the most seasoned athletes.
For mountain biking, three courses are offered:
- Raid les 3 Vallées (55 km): a technical raid through three Cantal valleys.
- Les Sources (44 km): a course to discover the sources of the Cantal.
- Rando VTT (28 km): an accessible route to discover the territory.
For hikers, two marked routes of 14 and 30 km allow you to enjoy the landscapes without the competition. An athletic awakening session is offered for children aged 5 to 14.
Salers, an exceptional setting
The medieval town of Salers, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, offers an incomparable setting for this sporting event. Runners start from rue du Couvent and cross breathtaking landscapes: pastures where the famous mahogany-colored Salers cows graze, lava stone burons, volcanic ridges, and panoramas of the Monts du Cantal. The trail village, set up in the Salers school and on the Foirail, welcomes participants with a local producers' market, partner stands, and a festive atmosphere.
A popular festival under the big tent
Beyond the sporting competition, La Pastourelle is above all a popular festival. Under the immense tent of the Foirail, participants and their companions can savor Cantal's culinary specialties. The evenings are enlivened by bands and a DJ, creating a convivial atmosphere that extends the sporting day. Each finisher of the timed races receives a souvenir medal.
An event driven by passionate volunteers
Organized by the sports club PAC MAC with the support of the municipality of Salers, the Salers Tourist Office, and numerous volunteers, La Pastourelle embodies the values of mountain sports: self-transcendence, respect for nature, and conviviality. The event contributes to the influence of Salers and the Cantal in the national trail running scene.
La Pastourelle — edition 2026
The 26th edition of La Pastourelle took place on May 8 and 9, 2026, in Salers (Cantal). Organized by the PAC MAC club, this anniversary edition brought together over 6,000 participants — 3,800 trail runners, 1,600 hikers, and 600 mountain bikers — on the emblematic routes traced in the Monts du Cantal, from the legendary 60 km Grand Cirque to the 10 km women's Buronnière, including MTB raids and family hikes.
26th Edition: May 8 and 9, 2026
La Pastourelle celebrated its 26th edition on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Salers, confirming its status as a benchmark for trail running in the Massif Central. Bibs for the 2026 edition sold out in 10 minutes when registrations opened on November 28, 2025, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm for the Cantal event.
Over 6,000 Participants Expected
The 2026 edition welcomed over 6,000 athletes, supervised by approximately 350 volunteers: 3,800 trail runners distributed across timed events, 1,600 hikers on marked routes, and 600 mountain bikers participating in the three MTB raids.
New Features of the 26th Edition
- Distinction between Muscle MTB / E-MTB: The Raid des 3 Vallées (55 km) on Friday is timed only for muscle MTBs (removal of the Malassarte climb), and the Les Sources event (44 km) on Saturday is timed exclusively for E-MTBs.
- Medals for Finishers: For the first time, every runner in timed events receives a souvenir medal at the finish line.
- Enhanced Festive Evening on Friday: Pasta Banda from 6:00 PM under the big top, with two brass bands, a buffet, and an orchestra, to balance the entertainment between the two days.
The Festive Program
Beyond sports, La Pastourelle remains a great convivial celebration. On Friday evening, the Pasta Banda animates the big top at the Foirail from 6:00 PM with two brass bands, a buffet, and an orchestra. On Saturday evening from 8:00 PM, a concert aperitif with bandas precedes the festive closing meal, animated by an orchestra. The Trail Village, located at the Salers school, is open from Thursday, May 7 afternoon to Saturday noon, featuring a local producers' market, equipment stands, and tourist offices.
Programme La Pastourelle 2026
Thursday, May 7, 2026 — Trail Village Opening
- 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM · Trail Village at Salers school: bib collection, tourism stands, local producers' market, equipment suppliers
Friday, May 8, 2026
- 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM / 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Trail Village (Salers school): bib collection, complimentary morning snack
- 7:00 AM · Trail Le Grand Cirque + Challenge D+4000 — 60 km, D+ 2,890 m · start Rue du Couvent, Salers
- 8:30 AM · Rando Pastourelle — 30 km, D+ 1,150 m · start Salers
- 9:00 AM / 9:15 AM · MTB Raid des 3 Vallées (muscle / E-MTB) — 55 km, D+ 1,640 m · Salers → Saint-Paul
- 10:00 AM · MTB Rando — 28 km · start Salers
- 10:45 AM · Athletic Awakening — children 5-14 years · Salers
- From 6:00 PM · Pasta Banda under the big top: two brass bands, buffet, orchestra
Saturday, May 9, 2026
- 6:00 AM – 11:00 AM · Trail Village (Salers school); 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM · 14 km hike bib collection in Saint-Martin-Valmeroux
- 8:30 AM · Trail La Pastourelle — 31 km, D+ 1,150 m · start Salers
- 9:30 AM / 9:40 AM · MTB Les Sources (E-MTB / muscle) — 44 km · start Salers
- 10:00 AM · Team Relay Trail + Challenge — 31 km, D+ 1,080 m (two-person relay, 12.5 km + 18.5 km) · start Salers
- 10:00 AM · Rando Pays de Salers — 14 km, D+ 710 m · start Saint-Martin-Valmeroux
- 10:30 AM · La Buronnière (100% women) — 10 km, D+ 210 m · start Salers
- From 8:00 PM · Concert aperitif with bandas, followed by festive closing meal with orchestra under the big top
Bib collection: ID required, individual collection only.
Highlights La Pastourelle 2026
- 26th edition on May 8 and 9, 2026, in Salers (Cantal)
- Over 6,000 participants — bibs sold out in 10 minutes
- Trail Le Grand Cirque 60 km (D+ 2,890 m) — the mythical event
- Trail La Pastourelle 31 km (solo or relay) and Challenge D+4000
- La Buronnière, 10 km 100% women's event
- Three MTB raids: 3 Vallées (55 km), Les Sources (44 km), Rando (28 km)
- Hiking trails 30 km and 14 km
- Athletic awakening for 5-14 year olds
- New: finisher medals and distinction between muscle MTB / E-MTB
- Festive evenings under the big top (Pasta Banda Friday, closing meal Saturday)
Prices La Pastourelle 2026
Practical information — La Pastourelle
Access
La Pastourelle takes place in Salers (15140), in the Monts du Cantal.
- By car: Salers is accessible via the D922 from Mauriac (20 km) or the D680 from Aurillac (42 km). Free parking at the Foirail and around the village.
- By train: Nearest stations in Mauriac or Aurillac. No direct public transport to Salers.
Bib collection
At the Village Trail in the Salers school: Thursday from 3 PM to 7 PM, Friday from 6:30 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday morning depending on the events.
Accommodation
Hotels, gîtes, and B&Bs in Salers and surrounding villages. Booking well in advance is recommended.
Contact
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 04 71 40 71 34
- Website: www.lapastourelle.net
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Where does it take place — La Pastourelle
Le Foirail et centre-ville de Salers
Le Foirail, 15140 Salers