Cross de los 3 Refugios vs CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
Cross de los 3 Refugios (24km, 1700m D+) vs CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana (21km, 1200m D+). Side-by-side comparison: distances, elevation, difficulty, mandatory gear and registration. Which one suits you best?
Advanced 
Advanced Physical profile
| Cross de los 3 Refugios | CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 1 November 2026 | 7 June 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Max elevation gain | 1,700m D+ | 1,200m D+ |
Distances — Cross de los 3 Refugios
| Name | Km | D+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cross de los 3 Refugios | 24 | 1,700 |
| Cross de los 3 Refugios Junior | 18 | 1,200 |
Distances — CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| CxM 21K | 21 | 1,200 | 5h |
| Mini CxM 13K | 13 | 600 | 4h |
Logistics & costs
| Cross de los 3 Refugios | CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Manzanares el Real, Community of Madrid | Frigiliana, Andalusia |
| Distance between venues | 438 km | |
| Registration opens | 25 August 2026 | — |
| Registration closes | 26 October 2026 | 3 June 2026 |
| Mandatory Gear | 5 mandatory items | 3 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit | Visit |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
No recommendations
Accommodation
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
No recommendations
Gear
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for bothSalomon
-
Salomon Soft Flask 150 mlRecommended for bothSalomon
-
Gore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryGore Wear
CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
- Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for both
Salomon
-
Salomon ADV Skin 12Salomon
- Salomon Soft Flask 150 mlRecommended for both
Salomon
-
Nutrition
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Maurten Gel 100Recommended for bothMaurten
-
226ERS Isotonic Drink226ERS
CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
- Maurten Gel 100Recommended for both
Maurten
-
Precision Fuel & Hydration PH 1500Precision Fuel & Hydration
-
Dátiles Medjool DorimedDorimed
Transport
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
No recommendations
Car Rental
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Recommended for both
CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
-
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
No recommendations
Body Care
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Compeed Ampollas Medianas DuploRecommended for bothCompeed
-
BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe BalmRecommended for bothBodyGlide
CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
-
Julbo AerospeedJulbo
-
Buff CoolNet UV+Buff
- BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe BalmRecommended for both
BodyGlide
- Compeed Ampollas Medianas DuploRecommended for both
Compeed
Sun Protection
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Recommended for both
CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
- Recommended for both
-
-
Piz Buin Mountain SPF 50+Piz Buin
Summary
If you're looking for a longer distance, Cross de los 3 Refugios is the choice. If you prefer a shorter and more accessible race, consider CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana. In terms of elevation gain, Cross de los 3 Refugios is the more demanding option. Both races offer a complete Pack 360 with everything you need for race day.
Frequently asked questions
Which is harder, Cross de los 3 Refugios or CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana?
When does each race take place?
How many distances does each race offer?
What type of terrain does each race have?
Do I need the same mandatory gear for both?
Plan your race
Compare Spain's best trail running races side by side. Analyze distances, elevation, registration prices, mandatory gear and the complete Pack 360 to make the best decision.