Madrid Alpine Marathon vs Pedraforca Xtrail
Madrid Alpine Marathon (44km, 2500m D+) vs Pedraforca Xtrail (42km, 2600m D+). Side-by-side comparison: distances, elevation, difficulty, mandatory gear and registration. Which one suits you best?
Advanced 
Advanced Physical profile
| Madrid Alpine Marathon | Pedraforca Xtrail | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 14 June 2026 | 5 September 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Max elevation gain | 2,500m D+ | 2,600m D+ |
| Max ITRA | — | 2 |
Distances — Madrid Alpine Marathon
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Marathon 44K | 44 | 2,500 | 9h |
| Cross Alpino del Telégrafo 19K | 19 | 1,050 | — |
Distances — Pedraforca Xtrail
| Name | Km | D+ | ITRA | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marató 42K | 42 | 2,600 | 2 | 8h |
| Trail 26K | 26 | 1,400 | 1 | 5h30 |
| Caminada 10K | 10 | 550 | — | 3h |
Logistics & costs
| Madrid Alpine Marathon | Pedraforca Xtrail | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Cercedilla, Community of Madrid | Saldes, Catalonia |
| Distance between venues | 510 km | |
| Registration opens | 27 February 2026 | — |
| Registration closes | 5 June 2026 | 3 September 2026 |
| Mandatory Gear | 6 mandatory items | 5 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit | Visit |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Pedraforca Xtrail
No recommendations
Accommodation
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Pedraforca Xtrail
No recommendations
Gear
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for bothSalomon
-
Gore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryGore Wear
-
Buff ThermonetBuff
-
Lifesystems Thermal BlanketLifesystems
-
Salomon Soft Flask 150 mlSalomon
Pedraforca Xtrail
- Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for both
Salomon
-
-
Salomon ADV Skin 12Salomon
Nutrition
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
226ERS Isotonic Drink226ERS
-
-
Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoGourmet Latino
Pedraforca Xtrail
-
Maurten Gel 100Maurten
-
SaltStick CapsSaltStick
-
Dátiles Medjool DorimedDorimed
Transport
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Pedraforca Xtrail
No recommendations
Car Rental
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
Recommended for both -
Recommended for both
Pedraforca Xtrail
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Pedraforca Xtrail
No recommendations
Body Care
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
Julbo AerospeedRecommended for bothJulbo
-
Buff CoolNet UV+Buff
Pedraforca Xtrail
- Julbo AerospeedRecommended for both
Julbo
-
BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe BalmBodyGlide
-
Compeed Ampollas Medianas DuploCompeed
Sun Protection
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
-
Recommended for both
Pedraforca Xtrail
-
Piz Buin Mountain SPF 50+Piz Buin
- 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 Pedraforca Xtrail. In terms of elevation gain, Pedraforca Xtrail 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, Madrid Alpine Marathon or Pedraforca Xtrail?
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.