Ultra Sud Canigou Montagne
70 km of trail running on the southern slope of Canigou, from Prats-de-Mollo to Arles-sur-Tech
About USCM
The wild southern slope of Canigou
The Ultra Sud Canigou Montagne (USCM) is one of the most demanding trail races in the Catalan Pyrenees. This 70 km course with 3,500 m of positive elevation gain connects the Firal square in Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste to the Arles-sur-Tech Nature Center, exploring the southern slope of the Canigó massif, a wild and preserved territory in Vallespir.
A route crossing 14 towns
The route follows the mythical GR10 and numerous mountain trails, without ever crossing a major road. Runners pass through 14 towns in Haut-Vallespir: Prats-de-Mollo, Lamanère (the southernmost village in mainland France), Serralongue, Saint-Laurent-de-Cerdans, and Coustouges, before reaching Arles-sur-Tech. Altitudes range from 200 m in the valley floor to nearly 2,784 m, offering grandiose panoramas of the Mediterranean and the Pyrenean chain.
An internationally recognized event
The USCM is listed in the UTMB Index 100K rankings and the ITRA registry, attesting to its demanding nature. The event is offered in individual or team relay format, allowing runners to share the adventure. Volunteers from Vallespir provide warm support and generous refreshments at the checkpoints.
Vallespir, a preserved natural setting
The course traverses landscapes of wild beauty: cork oak and beech forests, mountain streams, high-altitude meadows, windy passes, and perched villages. Vallespir, the southernmost valley in France, offers an exceptional setting where nature reigns supreme and Catalan culture permeates every stone.
USCM — edition 2026
The 2026 Ultra Sud Canigou Montagne takes place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, with a start at 7:00 AM from Place du Firal in Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste and an arrival in Arles-sur-Tech. A 70 km trail with 3,500 m of positive elevation gain across the southern slope of the Canigó massif, runnable solo or in a relay (2 or 4 runners).
2026 Edition
The Ultra Sud Canigou Montagne returns on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The start is given at 7:00 AM from Place du Firal in Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste, a thermal spa town in Haut-Vallespir, with an arrival in Arles-sur-Tech.
The course follows an itinerary of approximately 70 km accumulating 3,500 m of positive elevation gain, on the southern slope of the Canigó massif, between 200 m and nearly 2,784 m of altitude, through the mountain communes of Vallespir.
The event can be run solo or in a relay of 2 or 4 runners. The time barrier is set at 17 hours and six aid stations punctuate the course.
Programme USCM 2026
The Races
- Solo — 70 km, 3,500 m D+, time barrier 17 h
- Relay of 2 — relay at km 35 (Le Tech)
- Relay of 4 — relay at km 21 (Lamanère)
Schedule
- 7:00 AM — Start from Place du Firal, Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste
- Six aid stations distributed over the 70 km
- Arrival in Arles-sur-Tech
Highlights USCM 2026
- 70 km trail and 3,500 m D+ on the southern slope of the Canigó
- Start from Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste, arrival in Arles-sur-Tech
- Solo, 2-person relay, and 4-person relay formats
- Altitude from 200 m to nearly 2,784 m, through Vallespir
Prices USCM 2026
Practical information — USCM
Practical Information
Start and finish
Start: Place du Firal, Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste (66230) at 7 am.
Finish: Arles-sur-Tech Nature Center (66150) before midnight.
Formats
- 70 km individual
- 70 km relay (team)
Registration
Online registration on the official website. Price: €79 (€99 from March 1, 2026).
Access
- By car: From Perpignan, take the D115 then the D115a towards Prats-de-Mollo (approx. 1h15).
Contact
- Website: vallespir-sudcanigo.com
- Facebook: Ultrasudcanigou
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Where does it take place — USCM
Place du Firal
Place du Firal, 66230 Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste