Le Tour du Nipalou 2026

Le Tour du Nipalou is an autumn mountain running and walking event held in Lorcières en Margeride, a village in Cantal with under 200 residents. It provides a range of distances, including short children’s routes of 700m, 1.2km, and 2.2km, alongside trail races of 5km, 7km, 12km, 21km, and 53km, with walking options available. The longer distances give it a serious trail-running character: the 21km and 53km races contribute to French trail championship qualification, and the 53km is ITRA certified, offering UTMB Index value with three Endurance points. Non-timed children’s and junior courses are also offered, ensuring the event caters to more than just experienced mountain runners. The race is named for the Nipalou summit overlooking the village, and its routes traverse the Margeride landscape rather than roads; over 90 percent follows hiking trails, paths, undergrowth, meadows, and pastures. It was established in 1998 by local sports enthusiasts aiming to showcase the topography, remote areas, and expansive vistas of their region within the Massif Central. Participants are drawn by the challenging trail races, families can join the short non-timed courses, and walkers have their own paths through the same terrain. Aid stations and the finish meal have eliminated disposable plastic cups, requiring participants to use their own or purchase a foldable cup at bib pickup.