La Grande Muraglia Ultra Trail

La Grande Muraglia Ultra Trail, known as LaGM 260K, is a non-stop ultra that links Pinerolo, at the foot of the Cottian Alps, with the Forte di Fenestrelle in the Chisone valley, over roughly 260 km and more than 15,600 m of climbing. A newcomer to the Piedmont calendar, it is run by two local associations, Li Viol Ousitan and Piossasco Trail Runners, with backing from the mountain union of the Chisone and Germanasca valleys and the nature parks it crosses. The start is on a Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the second week of June, and runners have 99 hours to reach the finish.

The route is split into four sectors separated by three life bases. From Pinerolo to Fenestrelle, the first 74 km stretch with 4,880 m of ascent passes Casa Canada, Monte Freidour and the Selleries hut. The second, from Fenestrelle to Massello, adds 73 km and 4,080 m of climbing: it follows the Strada dell'Assietta, a high-altitude dirt road running above 2,000 m, then drops to Pragelato and the Massello valley. The third, 77 km long with 4,240 m of ascent, reaches Pomaretto through the Ramìe vineyards and the Pellice valley. The final 35 km, with 2,430 m of climbing, lead back to Fenestrelle up the steps of the fortress.

The course uses waymarked CAI paths, mostly graded E or EE, along with high mountain roads, and has no mountaineering sections. The race is semi-self-sufficient and self-navigated: each runner follows the official track on a GPS and must handle their own safety, food and kit between assistance points. Entrants must be adults, hold a sports medical certificate and have solid mountain experience. Required kit includes two head torches, a GPS loaded with the track, a power bank, two survival blankets, waterproof jacket and trousers, gloves, and reserves of food and water.

The route explores much of the Pinerolo valleys: Chisone, Germanasca, Sangone, Noce, Troncea, Pellice and the Massello valley, a land of Occitan and Waldensian culture. It ends at the Forte di Fenestrelle, a vast 18th-century fortress stepped up the mountainside, which the organisers describe as the largest fortified structure in the world after the Great Wall of China, hence the race's name. Pinerolo, the start town, is known for its military past as the city of the cavalry.

Two shorter formats round out the programme, with dates still to be set. La Fortezza, a 75 km ultra with 4,400 m of climbing, starts from Fenestrelle at 7 a.m. with a 19-hour time limit. Il Gigante is a 3 km vertical kilometre with 650 m of ascent, starting at 10:30 a.m. at the fort and climbing the fortress's covered staircase and its roughly 4,000 steps. On the main course, fifteen aid stations are planned, with cut-offs applied on arrival at the Fenestrelle, Massello and Pomaretto life bases.