Cross de los 3 Refugios vs Desafío Urbión
Cross de los 3 Refugios (24km, 1700m D+) vs Desafío Urbión (37km, 2600m 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 | Desafío Urbión | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 1 November 2026 | 5 September 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Max elevation gain | 1,700m D+ | 2,600m 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 — Desafío Urbión
| Name | Km | D+ |
|---|---|---|
| Desafío Urbión 37K | 37 | 2,600 |
| Open 16.5K | 16.5 | 1,200 |
| 6K | 6 | 300 |
Logistics & costs
| Cross de los 3 Refugios | Desafío Urbión | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Manzanares el Real, Community of Madrid | Covaleda, Castile and Leon |
| Distance between venues | 158 km | |
| Registration opens | 25 August 2026 | 1 January 2026 |
| Registration closes | 26 October 2026 | 25 August 2026 |
| Mandatory Gear | 5 mandatory items | 6 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit | Visit |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
Desafío Urbión
No recommendations
Accommodation
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
Desafío Urbión
No recommendations
Gear
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for bothSalomon
-
Salomon Soft Flask 150 mlSalomon
-
Gore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryRecommended for bothGore Wear
Desafío Urbión
- Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for both
Salomon
-
Salomon ADV Skin 12Salomon
-
- Gore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryRecommended for both
Gore Wear
Nutrition
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Maurten Gel 100Recommended for bothMaurten
-
226ERS Isotonic DrinkRecommended for both226ERS
Desafío Urbión
- Maurten Gel 100Recommended for both
Maurten
- 226ERS Isotonic DrinkRecommended for both
226ERS
-
Dátiles Medjool DorimedDorimed
Transport
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
Desafío Urbión
No recommendations
Car Rental
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Recommended for both
Desafío Urbión
-
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
Desafío Urbión
No recommendations
Body Care
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Compeed Ampollas Medianas DuploRecommended for bothCompeed
-
BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe BalmBodyGlide
Desafío Urbión
- Compeed Ampollas Medianas DuploRecommended for both
Compeed
-
Lurbel Desafío FourLurbel
Sun Protection
Cross de los 3 Refugios
Desafío Urbión
-
Piz Buin Mountain SPF 50+Piz Buin
-
Summary
If you're looking for a longer distance, Desafío Urbión is the choice. If you prefer a shorter and more accessible race, consider Cross de los 3 Refugios. In terms of elevation gain, Desafío Urbión 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 Desafío Urbión?
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.