Cross de los 3 Refugios vs Trail Picos de la Demanda
Cross de los 3 Refugios (24km, 1700m D+) vs Trail Picos de la Demanda (35km, 2300m 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 | Trail Picos de la Demanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 1 November 2026 | 12 September 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Max elevation gain | 1,700m D+ | 2,300m 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 — Trail Picos de la Demanda
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35K Trail | 35 | 2,300 | 8h |
| 24K Trail | 24 | 1,200 | 5h |
| 10K Trail | 10.5 | 450 | 3h |
| Nocturna by Irier | 7 | 350 | 2h |
Logistics & costs
| Cross de los 3 Refugios | Trail Picos de la Demanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Manzanares el Real, Community of Madrid | Ezcaray, La Rioja |
| Distance between venues | 191 km | |
| Registration opens | 25 August 2026 | — |
| Registration closes | 26 October 2026 | — |
| Mandatory Gear | 5 mandatory items | 5 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit | Visit |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
Trail Picos de la Demanda
No recommendations
Accommodation
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
Trail Picos de la Demanda
No recommendations
Gear
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for bothSalomon
-
Salomon Soft Flask 150 mlSalomon
-
Gore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryGore Wear
Trail Picos de la Demanda
- Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for both
Salomon
-
Salomon Bonatti WPSalomon
-
Petzl Actik CorePetzl
Nutrition
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Maurten Gel 100Recommended for bothMaurten
-
226ERS Isotonic DrinkRecommended for both226ERS
Trail Picos de la Demanda
- Maurten Gel 100Recommended for both
Maurten
- 226ERS Isotonic DrinkRecommended for both
226ERS
-
Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoGourmet Latino
Transport
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
Trail Picos de la Demanda
No recommendations
Car Rental
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Recommended for both
Trail Picos de la Demanda
-
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Cross de los 3 Refugios
No recommendations
Trail Picos de la Demanda
No recommendations
Body Care
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Compeed Ampollas Medianas DuploCompeed
-
BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe BalmBodyGlide
Trail Picos de la Demanda
-
Buff CoolNet UV+Buff
Sun Protection
Cross de los 3 Refugios
-
Recommended for both
Trail Picos de la Demanda
- Recommended for both
-
Summary
If you're looking for a longer distance, Trail Picos de la Demanda is the choice. If you prefer a shorter and more accessible race, consider Cross de los 3 Refugios. In terms of elevation gain, Trail Picos de la Demanda 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 Trail Picos de la Demanda?
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.