Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí vs HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí (42km, 2800m D+) vs HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB (163km, 10000m D+). Side-by-side comparison: distances, elevation, difficulty, mandatory gear and registration. Which one suits you best?
Elite
ElitePhysical profile
| Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí | HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 27 June 2026 | 3 July 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Elite | Elite |
| Max elevation gain | 2,800m D+ | 10,000m D+ |
| UTMB Category | — | 100M |
Distances — Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon 42K | 42 | 2,800 | 12h |
| Sky 24K | 24 | 1,900 | 7h |
| Speed 12K | 12 | 500 | 3h |
Distances — HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| VDA 163K | 163 | 10,000 | 48h |
| CDH 110K | 110 | 6,400 | 28h |
| TDL 75K | 75 | 5,100 | 20h |
| PDA 55K | 55 | 3,300 | 14h |
| EXP 32K | 32 | 2,100 | 7h15 |
| SKY 18K | 18 | 900 | — |
| SKY Promesas 18K | 18 | 900 | — |
| Vielha 10K | 10 | 500 | — |
Logistics & costs
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
No recommendations
HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
No recommendations
Accommodation
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
No recommendations
HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
No recommendations
Gear
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for bothSalomon
Recommended for both
Gore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryGore Wear
HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
- Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for both
Salomon
Salomon ADV Skin 12Salomon
Petzl Actik CorePetzl
Salomon Bonatti WPSalomon
- Recommended for both
Nutrition
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
Maurten Gel 100Recommended for bothMaurten
Precision Fuel & Hydration PH 1500Precision Fuel & Hydration
Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoRecommended for bothGourmet Latino
HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
- Maurten Gel 100Recommended for both
Maurten
SiS GO Isotonic Energy GelScience in Sport
Clif Bar Original Energy BarClif Bar
- Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoRecommended for both
Gourmet Latino
Transport
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
No recommendations
HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
No recommendations
Car Rental
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
No recommendations
HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
No recommendations
Body Care
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
No recommendations
HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
Julbo AerospeedJulbo
Buff CoolNet UV+Buff
Compressport ArmForce UltralightCompressport
Sun Protection
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Piz Buin Mountain SPF 50+Piz Buin
Terrain and elevation
Both races share the same terrain classification (Mountain). On its longest distance, Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí climbs around 67m per km versus 61m/km on the other race — the higher that ratio, the steeper and more technical the climbs tend to be.
Location and travel
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí and HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB both take place in Catalonia, about 21km apart in a straight line — close enough to scout one course while training for the other, or fold both into a single trip.
Entry price
HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB is the cheaper entry, starting from €27 versus €30 for Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí — a €3 gap on the entry-level distance.
Time of year
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí runs in June and HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB in July, so both fit in the same season if you want to race them separately. Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí falls right in its region's recommended window.
Mandatory gear
3 items overlap between both mandatory gear lists. Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí additionally requires cortavientos, manta-termica; HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB additionally requires mochila-30l, frontal, bivvy-emergencia and 6 more.
Summary
If you're looking for a longer distance, HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB is the choice. If you prefer a shorter and more accessible race, consider Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí. In terms of elevation gain, HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB 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, Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí or HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB?
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