Cross de los 3 Refugios vs Madrid Alpine Marathon
Cross de los 3 Refugios (24km, 1700m D+) vs Madrid Alpine Marathon (44km, 2500m 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 | Madrid Alpine Marathon | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 1 November 2026 | 14 June 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Max elevation gain | 1,700m D+ | 2,500m 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 — Madrid Alpine Marathon
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Marathon 44K | 44 | 2,500 | 9h |
| Cross Alpino del Telégrafo 19K | 19 | 1,050 | — |
Logistics & costs
| Cross de los 3 Refugios | Madrid Alpine Marathon | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Manzanares el Real, Community of Madrid | Cercedilla, Community of Madrid |
| Distance between venues | 16 km | |
| Registration opens | 25 August 2026 | 27 February 2026 |
| Registration closes | 26 October 2026 | 5 June 2026 |
| Mandatory Gear | 5 mandatory items | 6 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit | Visit |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Accommodation
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Gear
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for bothSalomon
-
Salomon Soft Flask 150 mlRecommended for bothSalomon
-
Gore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryRecommended for bothGore Wear
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for both
Salomon
- Gore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryRecommended for both
Gore Wear
-
Buff ThermonetBuff
-
Lifesystems Thermal BlanketLifesystems
- Salomon Soft Flask 150 mlRecommended for both
Salomon
Nutrition
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Maurten Gel 100Maurten
-
226ERS Isotonic DrinkRecommended for both226ERS
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- 226ERS Isotonic DrinkRecommended for both
226ERS
-
-
Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoGourmet Latino
Transport
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Car Rental
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Body Care
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Compeed Ampollas Medianas DuploCompeed
-
BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe BalmBodyGlide
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
Julbo AerospeedJulbo
-
Buff CoolNet UV+Buff
Sun Protection
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Recommended for both
-
Summary
If you're looking for a longer distance, Madrid Alpine Marathon is the choice. If you prefer a shorter and more accessible race, consider Cross de los 3 Refugios. In terms of elevation gain, Madrid Alpine Marathon 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 Madrid Alpine Marathon?
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.