Santa Cruz Extreme vs Transvulcania
Santa Cruz Extreme (25km, 1460m D+) vs Transvulcania (73km, 4350m D+). Side-by-side comparison: distances, elevation, difficulty, mandatory gear and registration. Which one suits you best?
Advanced
ElitePhysical profile
| Santa Cruz Extreme | Transvulcania | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 17 October 2026 | 8 May 2027 |
| Terrain | Skyrunning | Ultra Trail |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Elite |
| Max elevation gain | 1,460m D+ | 4,350m D+ |
| Max ITRA | — | 5 |
Distances — Santa Cruz Extreme
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anaga Xtrm 25K | 25 | 1,460 | 6h |
| Anaga Xtrm 18K | 18 | 1,135 | 5h |
| Anaga Xtrm 10K | 10 | 361 | 3h |
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
| Santa Cruz Extreme | Transvulcania | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands | Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma, Canary Islands |
| Distance between venues | 164 km | |
| Registration opens | — | 16 May 2025 |
| Registration closes | — | 8 April 2026 |
| Mandatory Gear | 2 mandatory items | 7 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit(opens in a new tab) | Visit(opens in a new tab) |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Santa Cruz Extreme
No recommendations
Transvulcania
No recommendations
Accommodation
Santa Cruz Extreme
No recommendations
Transvulcania
No recommendations
Gear
Santa Cruz Extreme
Recommended for both
Transvulcania
- Recommended for both
Nutrition
Santa Cruz Extreme
Gourmet Latino Guava Sandwich(opens in a new tab)Recommended for bothGourmet Latino
Transvulcania
- Gourmet Latino Guava Sandwich(opens in a new tab)Recommended for both
Gourmet Latino
Transport
Santa Cruz Extreme
No recommendations
Transvulcania
No recommendations
Car Rental
Santa Cruz Extreme
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
Transvulcania
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Santa Cruz Extreme
No recommendations
Transvulcania
No recommendations
Body Care
Santa Cruz Extreme
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
Squirrel's Nut Butter Anti-Chafe Cream(opens in a new tab)Recommended for bothSquirrel's Nut Butter
Recommended for both
Transvulcania
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Leukotape P Sports Tape(opens in a new tab)BSN Medical (Leukotape)
- Squirrel's Nut Butter Anti-Chafe Cream(opens in a new tab)Recommended for both
Squirrel's Nut Butter
- Recommended for both
Sun Protection
Santa Cruz Extreme
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
Transvulcania
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Terrain and elevation
Santa Cruz Extreme is classified as Skyrunning, while Transvulcania is Ultra Trail — different technical demands on paper. On its longest distance, Transvulcania climbs around 60m per km versus 58m/km on the other race — the higher that ratio, the steeper and more technical the climbs tend to be.
Location and travel
Santa Cruz Extreme and Transvulcania both take place in Canary Islands, about 164km 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
Transvulcania starts from €30 for its shortest distance; Santa Cruz Extreme hasn't published pricing yet.
Time of year
Santa Cruz Extreme runs in October and Transvulcania in May, so both fit in the same season if you want to race them separately. Santa Cruz Extreme falls right in its region's recommended window. Transvulcania falls right in its region's recommended window.
Mandatory gear
2 items overlap between both mandatory gear lists. Transvulcania additionally requires frontal, cortavientos, chubasquero and 2 more.
Summary
If you're looking for a longer distance, Transvulcania is the choice. If you prefer a shorter and more accessible race, consider Santa Cruz Extreme. In terms of elevation gain, Transvulcania 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, Santa Cruz Extreme 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