FKT: Harry van Lenthe - Huy UltraTrail (HuyForTrail) - 2023-09-06

Athletes
Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Self-supported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
7h 11m 26s
GPS track(s)
Photos
Report

The Huy Ultratrail is an adventure that takes you on a winding journey in and around Huy. Along the way, you'll encounter some challenging climbs, including a famous one known as the Mur de Huy, beloved by cyclists. While the official HuyForTrail website claims the route is well-marked, my personal experience revealed only occasional signage. Therefore, relying on the provided GPS track is essential to stay on course. Even with the track at hand, navigating the last kilometer through Huy's historic city center can be tricky, and I had to trace back a few times; some pre-trip route planning might come in handy. The ascents you'll face are relatively short, with the entire route ranging between 75 meters and 250 meters above sea level.

I went by train to Huy from where it is about 1 kilometer to get to the start in front of the Maison du Tourisme. I found using hiking poles to be helpful in maintaining a steady pace uphill. As for sustenance, I carried enough food for the day, along with two soft flasks and a 1.5-liter reservoir, totaling 2.5 liters of water. This setup necessitated a mid-route water refill, especially considering the 30-degree Celsius temperatures that persisted from noon until the 5 pm finish time. Fortunately, finding a water resupply point was straightforward. I found it just over half of the course. More specifically, the trail comprises two main loops—one to the west and the other to the east of the city. After covering 30 kilometers, you'll pass through Huy to embark on the second loop. I had initially planned to restock supplies at a small shop I had located on Google Maps, but to my disappointment, the shop had vanished. However, the Huy hospital is just across the street, offering a very convenient spot for replenishing water. In case you would want to travel a bit lighter, the cozy brasserie near the hospital entrance can serve as a delightful spot for a sandwich or a quick snack.