Every summer, in the heart of “The Queen of the Pyrenees”, the Luchon Aneto Trail invites runners to follow in the footsteps of history. Born of the passion of a group of mountain-loving friends, this event pays tribute to the pioneers who, in July 1842, first conquered the Pic d’Aneto, the highest peak in the Pyrenees at 3,404 metres. Tchihatcheff, De Franqueville and Sanio, accompanied by Luchon guides Redonnet, Sors and Arrazau, set off from Luchon to reach this legendary peak. Today, the LAT perpetuates this spirit of adventure and introduces hundreds of runners from all over France and beyond to the valleys of the Luchon region.
The Luchon Aneto Trail offers a range of races to suit all profiles, from beginners to experienced runners. The Ultra LAT, with its 85 kilometres and 5,300 metres of ascent, is the ultimate race: a demanding journey that takes in the mythical Port de Vénasque, offering breathtaking views of the Maladetta massif and the Pic d’Aneto, before reaching Lac d’Oô, the second most visited natural site in the Pyrenees. Intermediate formats such as the Venasque (45km) and the Oô-Pyrénées (42km) are also great ways to discover these iconic sites, while shorter routes such as the Kbour and Ravi Sente open up the trail to beginners. All the routes reveal the richness of the six Luchonnais valleys, with their forests, high-altitude lakes and peaks over 3,000 metres.
Since its inception, the Luchon Aneto Trail has enjoyed growing success, a testament to the quality of the event. In 2025, almost 3,000 finishers crossed the finish line during the weekend, confirming the appeal of the event. This growth is accompanied by major sporting recognition: inclusion in the UTMB world circuit, making the LAT a must for trail enthusiasts. The races now allow participants to collect Running Stones and validate their UTMB Index, opening the door to the prestigious Chamonix finals. This international dimension in no way detracts from the friendly spirit that characterises the event, where top-level runners and amateurs share the same trails in a warm atmosphere.
The Luchon Aneto Trail has established itself as a major event on the Pyrenean and national trail circuit. Held every year at the beginning of July, it attracts renowned athletes as well as regional trail runners who come to test their mettle in the Luchon valleys. As well as the competition, the whole region comes alive over the course of a festive weekend: the refreshment posts are alive with cheers, families accompany their runners, and the finish on the Allées d’Étigny transforms Luchon into the capital of trail running. Participants can then extend the experience by taking advantage of the resort’s renowned thermal baths, a real reward after the effort. With registration for the 2026 edition due to open on 5 December 2025, the Luchon Aneto Trail is now a must for all trail and mountain lovers.
