Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB
The trail epic on the paths of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle
About Trail du Saint-Jacques
In the footsteps of the Compostelle pilgrims
The Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB was born in 2012 from the desire of the city of Puy-en-Velay to create a major sporting event around the city's Jacquaire identity. Le Puy-en-Velay is indeed one of the four historic starting points for the pilgrimage to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The event allows runners to tread the same paths as the pilgrims for over a thousand years, on the section connecting Le Puy-en-Velay to Saugues.
Six races for all levels
The Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB offers a complete range of events adapted to all runner profiles:
- Ultra du Saint-Jacques (139 km, 6,000 m D+): the main event, starting from Saugues, which crosses the Gorges de l'Allier and the Gévaudan plateaus before reaching the Puy-en-Velay Cathedral. A true journey through time and the landscapes of Haute-Loire.
- Grand Trail du Saint-Jacques (86 km, 3,500 m D+): starting from Monistrol-d'Allier, a crossing of the deep valleys and basalt plateaus of Velay.
- Monistrail (55 km, 2,100 m D+): a technical course offering an immersion into the wildest landscapes of Haute-Loire.
- Les Chibottes (28 km, 750 m D+): an accessible trail highlighting the 'chibottes', these emblematic dry stone huts of Velay.
- Le 12 du Dolaizon (12 km, 210 m D+): an introductory trail race in a pastoral setting, accessible from 16 years old, created in 2025.
- Randonnée du Saint-Jacques (28 km): a friendly hike to discover the Chibottes route at your own pace.
A mythical finish in front of the Cathedral
All races converge towards a finish line in front of the Notre-Dame du Puy-en-Velay Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque art and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This moment of intense emotion, shared by thousands of spectators gathered in the streets of the old town, is the highlight of the event. Runners climb the final steps leading to the cathedral square, replicating the gesture of Compostelle pilgrims for centuries.
An expanding international event
As part of the UTMB World Series, the Trail du Saint-Jacques has experienced spectacular growth since its UTMB certification. The event has grown from a few hundred participants in its early days to 6,500 runners in 2025, a record. With 59 nationalities represented and over 1,200 volunteers mobilized, the Trail du Saint-Jacques has become one of the biggest trail running events in France and a must-attend on the international calendar.
An exceptional territory for trail running
The courses traverse diverse landscapes: the Gorges de l'Allier, the Gévaudan plateaus, the volcanic peaks of Velay, the Scots pine forests, and the high-altitude meadows of Haute-Loire. Runners follow ancient trails, passing through charming villages like Saugues, Monistrol-d'Allier, Saint-Privat-d'Allier, and Rochegude, before reaching the episcopal city of Le Puy-en-Velay, dominated by the statue of Notre-Dame de France on the Corneille rock.
Trail du Saint-Jacques — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB will take place from June 12 to 14, 2026 in Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire). Six race formats are on the program: the Ultra du Saint-Jacques (139 km, 6,000 m D+), the Grand Trail (86 km, 3,500 m D+), the Monistrail (55 km, 2,100 m D+), Les Chibottes (28 km, 750 m D+), Le 12 du Dolaizon (12 km, 210 m D+), and the Randonnée du Saint-Jacques (28 km). New for 2026: the finish line is now located at Jardin Henri-Vinay, the event's new reception area in the heart of Le Puy-en-Velay.
2026 Edition: June 12 to 14
The Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB returns for a new edition on Friday, June 12, Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, 2026. Building on the record success of the 2025 edition (6,500 runners, 59 nationalities), the event is bringing back its six race formats on the mythical trails of the Way of St. James in Haute-Loire.
New finish location at Jardin Henri-Vinay
Major change in 2026: the finish line is moving from the vicinity of the Hôtel du Département (Centre Pierre-Cardinal / La Visitation) — a site impacted by the sale of the La Visitation building by the Department and upcoming works — to Jardin Henri-Vinay, right in the city center of Le Puy-en-Velay. The garden becomes the new overall reception area for the trail: the event village, bib collection, finish line, and podium ceremonies will all be grouped there. This is the fourth reception site for the trail in its history, after the ascent to the cathedral, the courtyard of the Centre Pierre-Cardinal, and the street in front of the Hôtel du Département.
Six races on the program
- Ultra du Saint-Jacques — 139 km, 6,000 m D+ — start Friday, June 12 at 8:15 PM from Saugues (4 Running Stones UTMB)
- Grand Trail du Saint-Jacques — 86 km, 3,500 m D+ — start Saturday, June 13 at 8:30 AM from Monistrol-d'Allier (3 Running Stones)
- Monistrail — 55 km, 2,100 m D+ — start Sunday, June 14 at 7:00 AM from Monistrol-d'Allier (2 Running Stones)
- Les Chibottes — 28 km, 750 m D+ — start Saturday, June 13 at 3:00 PM from Solignac-sur-Loire (1 Running Stone)
- Le 12 du Dolaizon — 12 km, 210 m D+ — start Sunday, June 14 at 8:30 AM from Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaizon (introductory race, accessible from 16 years old)
- Randonnée du Saint-Jacques — 28 km — start Sunday, June 14 at 9:15 AM from Solignac-sur-Loire (untimed hiking format)
A "new formula" praised by the local press
Registrations, opened in two phases since August 12, 2025 (UTMB Index priority then general public opening), have been very successful: Les Chibottes (28 km), the Monistrail (55 km), and the Grand Trail (86 km) quickly sold out. Bibs are still available for the Ultra (139 km) and Le 12 du Dolaizon (12 km), a new introductory race launched in 2025 and renewed in 2026. All races converge towards the new finish line located at Jardin Henri-Vinay in the heart of Le Puy-en-Velay.
Programme Trail du Saint-Jacques 2026
Friday, June 12, 2026
- 12:00 PM — Opening of the Trail Village · Place Mgr de Galard (Le Puy-en-Velay)
- 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Bib collection Ultra 139 km · Trail Village
- 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM — Bib collection Grand Trail 86 km · Trail Village
- 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM — Bib collection Les Chibottes 28 km · Trail Village
- 6:00 PM — Departure of Ultra 139 km shuttles to Saugues · Parking de Cluny
- 8:15 PM — Start of the Ultra du Saint-Jacques (139 km, 6,000 m D+) · Saugues
Saturday, June 13, 2026
- 5:30 AM - 7:30 AM — Bib collection Grand Trail 86 km · Trail Village
- 6:15 AM — Departure of Grand Trail shuttles to Monistrol-d'Allier · Parking de Cluny
- 8:30 AM — Start of the Grand Trail du Saint-Jacques (86 km, 3,500 m D+) · Monistrol-d'Allier
- 10:30 AM — Arrival of the first Ultra 139 km · Jardin Henri-Vinay
- 1:45 PM — Departure of Les Chibottes shuttles to Solignac-sur-Loire · Parking de Cluny
- 3:00 PM — Start of Les Chibottes (28 km, 750 m D+) · Solignac-sur-Loire
- 3:00 PM — Arrival of the first Grand Trail 86 km · Jardin Henri-Vinay
- 4:30 PM — Arrival of the first Chibottes 28 km · Jardin Henri-Vinay
- 6:00 PM — Podium ceremony Ultra 139 km, Grand Trail 86 km, and Les Chibottes 28 km
Sunday, June 14, 2026
- 5:00 AM — Departure of Monistrail shuttles to Monistrol-d'Allier · Parking de Cluny
- 7:00 AM — Start of the Monistrail (55 km, 2,100 m D+) · Monistrol-d'Allier
- 8:30 AM — Start of Le 12 du Dolaizon (12 km, 210 m D+) · Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaizon
- 9:15 AM — Start of the Randonnée du Saint-Jacques (28 km) · Solignac-sur-Loire
- 10:30 AM — Arrival of the first Monistrail 55 km · Jardin Henri-Vinay
- 12:00 PM — Podium ceremony Monistrail 55 km and 12 du Dolaizon 12 km
Highlights Trail du Saint-Jacques 2026
- June 12, 13, and 14, 2026 in Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
- New finish location: Jardin Henri-Vinay, the event's new overall reception area
- 6 formats: Ultra 139 km, Grand Trail 86 km, Monistrail 55 km, Les Chibottes 28 km, 12 du Dolaizon, Randonnée 28 km
- UTMB World Series labeled events, up to 4 Running Stones for the Ultra
- Chibottes (28 km), Monistrail (55 km), and Grand Trail (86 km) already sold out — bibs still available for the Ultra and Le 12 du Dolaizon
- Route on the Le Puy-en-Velay - Saugues section of the Way of St. James (GR65)
Prices Trail du Saint-Jacques 2026
Practical information — Trail du Saint-Jacques
Access
The Trail du Saint-Jacques village is set up in the heart of Puy-en-Velay, at the foot of the cathedral.
- By car: Le Puy-en-Velay is accessible via the RN88 from Saint-Étienne (1h15) or via the A75 then RN88 from Clermont-Ferrand (1h30). From Lyon, allow about 1h45 via the A47 then RN88.
- By train: Le Puy-en-Velay SNCF station, served by TER trains from Saint-Étienne and Lyon (with connections).
- Shuttles: Shuttles are organized to the various starting points (Saugues, Monistrol-d'Allier) from Le Puy-en-Velay.
Bib collection
At the trail village in the town center of Le Puy-en-Velay, on the Thursday and Friday preceding the races. Mandatory presentation of a medical certificate or a valid FFA license.
Indicative prices
Paid online registration on the official website. 2025 prices: Ultra 139 km: 200 euros, Grand Trail 86 km: 130 euros, Monistrail 55 km: 95 euros. Prices for shorter races are available on the official website.
Accommodation
Le Puy-en-Velay offers a variety of accommodation options: hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, and campsites. It is highly recommended to book in advance, as the trail weekend fills up very quickly.
Contact
- Official website: saint-jacques.utmb.world
- Registration: on the official UTMB website
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Where does it take place — Trail du Saint-Jacques
Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy-en-Velay
Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy-en-Velay, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay