Desafío Ultra El Cainejo vs Transvulcania
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo (52km, 5500m D+) vs Transvulcania (73km, 4350m D+). Side-by-side comparison: distances, elevation, difficulty, mandatory gear and registration. Which one suits you best?
Elite Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
Caín de Valdeón, León, Castile and Leon
Elite Transvulcania
Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma, Canary Islands
Physical profile
| Desafío Ultra El Cainejo | Transvulcania | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 23 May 2026 | 9 May 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Ultra Trail |
| Difficulty | Elite | Elite |
| Max elevation gain | 5,500m D+ | 4,350m D+ |
| Max ITRA | — | 5 |
| UTMB Category | 100K | — |
Distances — Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desafío Ultra 52K | 52 | 5,500 | 16h |
| Cainejo 35K | 35.7 | 3,200 | 12h |
| Cainejín 19K | 19.5 | 1,800 | 6h |
Distances — Transvulcania
| Name | Km | D+ | ITRA | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultramaratón | 73 | 4,350 | 5 | 16h |
| Maratón | 43 | 1,884 | 3 | 10h |
| Media Maratón | 25 | 2,097 | 2 | 6h 30min |
| Kilómetro Vertical | 7.3 | 1,164 | — | 3h |
Logistics & costs
| Desafío Ultra El Cainejo | Transvulcania | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Caín de Valdeón, León, Castile and Leon | Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma, Canary Islands |
| Distance between venues | 1967 km | |
| Registration opens | 5 December 2025 | 16 May 2025 |
| Registration closes | 18 May 2026 | 8 April 2026 |
| Mandatory Gear | 6 mandatory items | 7 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit | Visit |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
No recommendations
Transvulcania
No recommendations
Accommodation
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
No recommendations
Transvulcania
No recommendations
Gear
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
-
Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for bothSalomon
-
Petzl Actik CorePetzl
-
-
Gore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryGore Wear
Transvulcania
- Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for both
Salomon
Nutrition
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
-
Maurten Gel 100Maurten
-
Precision Fuel & Hydration PH 1500Precision Fuel & Hydration
-
-
Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoRecommended for bothGourmet Latino
Transvulcania
- Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoRecommended for both
Gourmet Latino
Transport
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
No recommendations
Transvulcania
No recommendations
Car Rental
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
-
Recommended for both -
Recommended for both
Transvulcania
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
No recommendations
Transvulcania
No recommendations
Body Care
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
-
After Bite Xtra GelAfter Bite
-
Buff CoolNet UV+Recommended for bothBuff
Transvulcania
-
Julbo AerospeedJulbo
- Buff CoolNet UV+Recommended for both
Buff
-
Salomon Cross VisorSalomon
-
Compressport ArmForce UltralightCompressport
Sun Protection
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
-
Recommended for both -
Piz Buin Mountain SPF 50+Piz Buin
-
Recommended for both
Transvulcania
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Summary
If you're looking for a longer distance, Transvulcania is the choice. If you prefer a shorter and more accessible race, consider Desafío Ultra El Cainejo. In terms of elevation gain, Desafío Ultra El Cainejo 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, Desafío Ultra El Cainejo or Transvulcania?
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.