Short Trail Races in Spain 2026
Short trail races, between 10 and 21 km, are the perfect gateway into the world of mountain racing. With distances that allow competing at high paces without needing an ultra base, these events combine running intensity with technical trail terrain. They are ideal for road runners wanting to try the mountains, or for experienced athletes seeking fast, explosive races. Spain offers a wide selection of short races year-round, from the green mountains of the Basque Country to the coastal paths of the Costa Brava and the inland sierras. Elevation gain is usually moderate, allowing you to enjoy the course without the race turning into a hike.
For cold and dark miles
Headlamp, thermal layer and a good watch: what matters when daylight runs short.
#1 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#2 · Best Rain JacketGore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best OverallCoros Pace 3View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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424
Races
1 – 259 km
Distance range
0 – 12,430 D+
Elevation range
Jan – Dec
Race months
Difficulty
Tips
Do not underestimate the distance: a 15 km trail with 800 m D+ equals a road half marathon in effort.
Train quick transitions between climbing and descending — in short races every second counts more than in ultras.
Carry only the essentials: in short distances extra weight penalises you proportionally more.
Practise technical descents at race pace; many positions are won and lost on the downhills.
Race map
Click a marker to see race details
Race calendar
No races match these filters.
For your vertical km
Poles, grippy shoes and a light vest for a 1,000 m climb.
#1 · Best OverallBlack Diamond Distance Carbon ZView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#2 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For a short race
Shoes, socks and sun protection: just what you need to run fast.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#2 · Best OverallCompressport Pro Racing Socks V3.0 TrailView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best OverallISDIN Fusion Water Sunscreen SPF 50+View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For a mid-distance race
Shoes, vest and hydration for 21-42 km without suffering.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
#3 · Best Gel OverallMaurten Gel 100View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
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For a long race
Vest, headlamp and nutrition for all those hours in the mountains.
- #1 · Best OverallSalomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #3 · Best Gel OverallMaurten Gel 100View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
For your ultra
A watch with battery to spare, a powerful headlamp and poles: the gear that can't fail.
- #1 · Best OverallCoros Pace 3View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #2 · Best OverallPetzl Iko CoreView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
- #3 · Best OverallBlack Diamond Distance Carbon ZView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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February2026
2
Subida a Tágara
Guía de Isora, Tenerife · Canary Islands
32 · 20 · 10 kmAdvanced
Recommended gear · Best Overall
Coros Pace 3View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Compare with other options →
Trail Desafío del Carbón - Urbiés
Urbiés · Asturias
21 · 12 kmIntermediate
March2026
10
VII Trail e Andaina Ribeiras do Tambre
Ames, A Coruña · Galicia
15 · 8 kmBeginner
El Valle Trail
Murcia · Region of Murcia
26 · 18 kmIntermediate
Trail Laxe dos Bolos
Caldas de Reis, Pontevedra · Galicia
43 · 20 · 8 kmIntermediate
Subbética Trail
Zuheros · Andalusia
29 · 18 kmIntermediate
Desafío Trail Templario
Las Navas del Marqués, Ávila · Castile and Leon
20 · 11 kmIntermediate
Cursa i Caminada Bràfim - Ermita de Loreto
Bràfim · Catalonia
22 · 13 · 13 kmBeginner
CxM Alfarnat Trail
Alfarnate · Andalusia
23 · 14 kmIntermediate
Recommended gear · Best Overall
Salomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Compare with other options →
Petaca Trail
Cabezarrubias del Puerto, Ciudad Real · Castile-La Mancha
25 · 14 · 11 kmIntermediate
Trail Cova da Bruxa
Muros, A Coruña · Galicia
26 · 15 · 9 kmIntermediate
Trail Covatelles
Oliva · Valencian Community
23 · 13 kmIntermediate
April2026
15
Trail Virgen del Yugo
Arguedas · Navarre
19.7 · 13.4 kmIntermediate
CxM Villa de Casares
Casares · Andalusia
21 · 14 kmIntermediate
Volta Peramola
Peramola · Catalonia
25 · 10 · 5 kmIntermediate
XI Carrera del Espárrago 51
Alcalá del Valle · Andalusia
21 kmIntermediate
IV CxM Silvia Lara
Cazorla · Andalusia
21 · 12 kmIntermediate
Recommended gear · Best Overall
Black Diamond Distance Carbon ZView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Compare with other options →
Trail Cabo de Ajo
Ajo, Bareyo · Cantabria
22 · 20 kmIntermediate
Aoiz Mountain Race
Aoiz · Navarre
14 kmIntermediate
VIII Trail El Calvario del Dragón
Osuna · Andalusia
23 · 12 kmIntermediate
Trail Santuario de Consolación
Iniesta, Cuenca · Castile-La Mancha
14 kmBeginner
Arganza Trail — Cañón del Río Lobos
San Leonardo de Yagüe · Castile and Leon
33 · 21 · 10 kmIntermediate
Ultra Trail Muntanyes Costa Daurada
Prades, Tarragona · Catalonia
64 · 44 · 23 kmAdvanced
Trail Loja - Abades Stone Race
Loja, Granada · Andalusia
34.9 · 11.9 kmAdvanced
Trail Tierra de Ibias
San Antolín de Ibias · Asturias
21.9 · 12.7 · 8.5 kmIntermediate
Recommended gear · Best Overall
Salomon ADV Skin 12 SetView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Compare with other options →
X CxM Deportes Parra Hervás
Hervás, Cáceres · Extremadura
21.5 · 10.5 kmIntermediate
Trail Mina de la Plata de Bustarviejo
Bustarviejo · Community of Madrid
20 · 14 · 8 kmIntermediate
May2026
14
CxM Trabuco Trail
Villanueva del Trabuco · Andalusia
23.5 · 13 kmAdvanced
X CxM Sierro
Sierro · Andalusia
24 · 12 kmAdvanced
Xtreme Higa de Monreal
Monreal · Navarre
21 · 12 kmIntermediate
V Trail Nieva de Cameros
Nieva de Cameros · La Rioja
47 · 23 · 13.5 kmIntermediate
Berroeta Mendi Maratoi Erdia
Berroeta · Navarre
21.6 · 15 · 10 kmIntermediate
Trail Vila de Cuntis
Cuntis, Pontevedra · Galicia
21 · 15 · 10 kmIntermediate
Recommended gear · Best Overall
Coros Pace 3View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Compare with other options →
Cross de la Pedriza
Manzanares el Real · Community of Madrid
25 · 18 · 12 kmAdvanced
La Osera
Paterna del Madera, Albacete · Castile-La Mancha
45 · 25 · 12 kmAdvanced
Haritzen Mendi Lasterketa
Unzué · Navarre
24.3 · 11 kmAdvanced
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
Caín de Valdeón, León · Castile and Leon
52 · 35.7 · 19.5 kmElite
Rebecos Trail
Egüés · Navarre
18.6 · 11.3 kmBeginner
Mitxarro Bira
Araia · Basque Country
27.5 · 14 kmIntermediate
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
Aldeanueva de la Vera, Cáceres · Extremadura
21 · 11 kmAdvanced
Lakuntza-Aralar Mendi Lasterketa
Lakuntza · Navarre
26 · 13 kmIntermediate
Recommended gear · Best Overall
Salomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Compare with other options →June2026
10
CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
Frigiliana · Andalusia
21 · 13 kmAdvanced
Mazucator Sky
Villa de Mazo, La Palma · Canary Islands
25 · 20 · 8 kmAdvanced
Desafío Galayos 2026
Arenas de San Pedro, Ávila · Castile and Leon
20 kmIntermediate
Madrid Alpine Marathon
Cercedilla · Community of Madrid
44 · 19 kmAdvanced
Camille Extreme
Isaba · Navarre
32 · 13 · 3.2 kmAdvanced
Backyard Ultra Montgrí
Torroella de Montgrí, Girona · Catalonia
6.7 kmElite
Ultra Trail Torla-Ordesa
Torla-Ordesa, Huesca · Aragon
50 · 25 · 13 kmAdvanced
GTPE Picos de Europa
Benia de Onís · Asturias
70 · 48 · 35 kmElite
Trail Heróica Sacra
Chantada, Lugo · Galicia
33 · 23 · 12 kmAdvanced
Triku Trail
Etxarri-Aranatz · Navarre
21 · 10 kmIntermediate
July2026
6
Las 100 Millas de Boñar – Noche Roja
Boñar · Castile and Leon
20 · 47 · 80 kmElite
VIII Anfibios Trail Anna
Anna · Valencian Community
9 kmIntermediate
Night Trail Duesaigües
Duesaigües · Catalonia
24 · 10 · 10 kmIntermediate
Trail Vielha-Molières 3010
Vielha · Catalonia
43 · 23 · 13 kmAdvanced
Gran Trail Trangoworld Aneto-Posets
Benasque · Aragon
105 · 55 · 42 kmElite
B2H Trail
Mirafuentes · Navarre
17.4 kmIntermediate
Featured races
Photo: Asociación Cultural La HincaderaAlto Rey Trail
Bustares, Guadalajara
Solstice trail in Guadalajara: 21K and 11K summiting Alto Rey (1,850m) from Bustares
Photo: Club Corredores AfricanusEl Último León
Melilla
Backyard ultra in Melilla — 6.7 km loops through Fuerte de Rostrogordo pine forests, Silver Ticket
Photo: Ayuntamiento de Guía de IsoraSubida a Tágara
Guía de Isora, Tenerife
Skyrunning in Tenerife: 32K with 2,029m elevation gain from Guía de Isora to Tágara
Photo: Organisation Trail Desafío del CarbónTrail Desafío del Carbón - Urbiés
Urbiés
21K with 1,360m D+ and a 12K SpeedTrail along the mining paths of Urbiés
Photo: Real Aero Club Santiago de CompostelaVII Trail e Andaina Ribeiras do Tambre
Ames, A Coruña
VII Trail e Andaina Ribeiras do Tambre — 15K and 8K trail along the Tambre river banks in Ames, A Coruña
Photo: El Valle TrailEl Valle Trail
Murcia
26K and 18K through El Valle and Carrascoy Regional Park, at the gates of Murcia
Photo: Trail Laxe dos BolosTrail Laxe dos Bolos
Caldas de Reis, Pontevedra
Spanish Short Trail Championship — 43K with 2300 m D+ through waterfalls and mountains in Caldas de Reis, Galicia
Subbética Trail
Zuheros
29K and 18K through the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park (Córdoba)
Desafío Trail Templario
Las Navas del Marqués, Ávila
20K and 11K trail race through the forests and sierra of Las Navas del Marqués, Ávila
Photo: Cursa Bràfim organisers (official poster)Cursa i Caminada Bràfim - Ermita de Loreto
Bràfim
22K (595 m gain), 13K Clàssica, 13K Trek and 7K Start Trail to the Loreto hermitage, on 22 March
CxM Alfarnat Trail
Alfarnate
23K and 14K through the Axarquía mountains from Alfarnate, Málaga
Petaca Trail
Cabezarrubias del Puerto, Ciudad Real
12th Petaca Trail — 25K / 14K / 11K through the Valle de Alcudia in Cabezarrubias del Puerto, Ciudad Real
Gear up for the mountains
The right gear makes the difference on race day. Our comparison guides to choose well.
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