Madrid Alpine Marathon vs Trail Picos de la Demanda
Madrid Alpine Marathon (44km, 2500m 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
| Madrid Alpine Marathon | Trail Picos de la Demanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 14 June 2026 | 12 September 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Max elevation gain | 2,500m D+ | 2,300m D+ |
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 — 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
| Madrid Alpine Marathon | Trail Picos de la Demanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Cercedilla, Community of Madrid | Ezcaray, La Rioja |
| Distance between venues | 196 km | |
| Registration opens | 27 February 2026 | — |
| Registration closes | 5 June 2026 | — |
| Mandatory Gear | 6 mandatory items | 5 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit | Visit |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Trail Picos de la Demanda
No recommendations
Accommodation
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Trail Picos de la Demanda
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
Trail Picos de la Demanda
- Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for both
Salomon
-
Salomon Bonatti WPSalomon
-
Petzl Actik CorePetzl
Nutrition
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
226ERS Isotonic DrinkRecommended for both226ERS
-
-
Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoRecommended for bothGourmet Latino
Trail Picos de la Demanda
-
Maurten Gel 100Maurten
- 226ERS Isotonic DrinkRecommended for both
226ERS
- Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoRecommended for both
Gourmet Latino
Transport
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Trail Picos de la Demanda
No recommendations
Car Rental
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
Recommended for both -
Recommended for both
Trail Picos de la Demanda
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Trail Picos de la Demanda
No recommendations
Body Care
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
Julbo AerospeedJulbo
-
Buff CoolNet UV+Recommended for bothBuff
Trail Picos de la Demanda
- Buff CoolNet UV+Recommended for both
Buff
Sun Protection
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
Recommended for both -
Recommended for both
Trail Picos de la Demanda
- Recommended for both
- 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 Trail Picos de la Demanda. In terms of elevation gain, Madrid Alpine Marathon 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 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.