Desafío Ultra El Cainejo vs Travesera Picos de Europa
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo (52km, 5500m D+) vs Travesera Picos de Europa (72km, 5800m 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 Physical profile
| Desafío Ultra El Cainejo | Travesera Picos de Europa | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 23 May 2026 | 12 September 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Elite | Elite |
| Max elevation gain | 5,500m D+ | 5,800m 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 — Travesera Picos de Europa
| Name | Km | D+ | ITRA | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travesera 72K | 72 | 5,800 | 5 | 22h |
| Machacona 36K | 36 | 2,800 | 3 | 11h |
Logistics & costs
| Desafío Ultra El Cainejo | Travesera Picos de Europa | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Caín de Valdeón, León, Castile and Leon | Potes, Cantabria |
| Distance between venues | 42 km | |
| Registration opens | 5 December 2025 | 1 March 2026 |
| Registration closes | 18 May 2026 | 15 August 2026 |
| Mandatory Gear | 6 mandatory items | 8 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit | Visit |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
No recommendations
Travesera Picos de Europa
No recommendations
Accommodation
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
No recommendations
Travesera Picos de Europa
No recommendations
Gear
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
-
Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for bothSalomon
-
Petzl Actik CorePetzl
-
-
Gore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryGore Wear
Travesera Picos de Europa
- 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
Travesera Picos de Europa
- Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoRecommended for both
Gourmet Latino
Transport
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
No recommendations
Travesera Picos de Europa
No recommendations
Car Rental
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
-
Recommended for both -
Recommended for both
Travesera Picos de Europa
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
No recommendations
Travesera Picos de Europa
No recommendations
Body Care
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
-
After Bite Xtra GelAfter Bite
-
Buff CoolNet UV+Buff
Travesera Picos de Europa
No recommendations
Sun Protection
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
-
-
Piz Buin Mountain SPF 50+Piz Buin
-
Travesera Picos de Europa
No recommendations
Summary
If you're looking for a longer distance, Travesera Picos de Europa is the choice. If you prefer a shorter and more accessible race, consider Desafío Ultra El Cainejo. In terms of elevation gain, Travesera Picos de Europa 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 Travesera Picos de Europa?
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.