Vertical Kilometer Races in Spain 2026
The vertical kilometer is the purest mountain discipline: climb as much as possible in the shortest distance. With courses under 10 km, these races pack 1,000 metres or more of elevation gain into routes that go practically straight to the summit. It is the perfect modality for runners with great climbing power and the ability to manage anaerobic effort. In Spain, the Pyrenees, Picos de Europa and Sierra Nevada offer ideal settings for vertical kilometres with gradients exceeding 30%. You do not need to be an ultramarathoner to enjoy them: their brevity makes them accessible in time, although the intensity is maximal from start to finish.
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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22
Races
1.6 – 110 km
Distance range
0 – 8,848 D+
Elevation range
Mar – Dec
Race months
Difficulty
Tips
Train short explosive hill reps (3-5 min intervals at maximum effort) to adapt your quads and calves to vertical effort.
Use poles if the race allows them: on gradients above 25% they save significant energy.
Manage your pace from the start — going out too fast in a vertical km penalises you far more than in long distances.
Choose lightweight shoes with good uphill grip; cushioning is secondary when there is barely any descent.
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.
Who would you run them with? Send them this list.
Share this view(opens in a new tab)March2026
2
Kilómetro Vertical Media Legua Gruesa
Purchena · Andalusia
5 kmAdvanced
Trail Cova da Bruxa
Muros, A Coruña · Galicia
26 · 15 · 9 kmIntermediate
May2026
2
Zegama-Aizkorri
Zegama · Basque Country
42 · 4.5 kmElite
Recommended gear · Best Overall
Coros Pace 3View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Compare with other options →
Neveros Vertical
Ágreda, Soria · Castile and Leon
5 kmAdvanced
June2026
4
KM Vertical Fuente Dé
Fuente Dé, Camaleño · Cantabria
2.6 kmAdvanced
Kilómetro Vertical de la Barranca
Navacerrada · Community of Madrid
7.3 kmAdvanced
Camille Extreme
Isaba · Navarre
32 · 13 · 3.2 kmAdvanced
Ultra Trail Torla-Ordesa
Torla-Ordesa, Huesca · Aragon
50 · 25 · 13 kmAdvanced
September2026
3
Canfranc-Canfranc
Canfranc-Estación · Aragon
100 · 70 · 45 kmElite
Mañaritik Atxetara
Mañaria, Vizcaya · Basque Country
43 · 22 · 13 kmElite
Recommended gear · Best Overall
Salomon Sense Ride 5View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Compare with other options →
Uharte-Arakil Beriain Km Bertikala
Uharte-Arakil · Navarre
5 kmAdvanced
October2026
3
Anboto KB
Atxondo · Basque Country
5 kmAdvanced
Unique Trail Lanzarote
Haría · Canary Islands
67 · 46 · 23 kmAdvanced
Kilómetro Vertical Aznaitín 360
Albanchez de Mágina · Andalusia
3 · 1.6 kmAdvanced
November2026
1
December2026
2
April2027
2
Reventón Trail
El Paso, La Palma · Canary Islands
70.5 · 42.2 · 31.8 kmAdvanced
Recommended gear · Best Overall
Black Diamond Distance Carbon ZView on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Compare with other options →
Tenerife by UTMB
Puerto de la Cruz · Canary Islands
110 · 82 · 68 kmElite
May2027
2
Transvulcania
Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma · Canary Islands
73 · 43 · 25 kmElite
Vertical Hermano Pedro
Granadilla de Abona · Canary Islands
8.2 · 22 kmIntermediate
Featured races
Kilómetro Vertical Media Legua Gruesa
Purchena
5 km and 900m elevation gain through Barranco de Geva in Purchena (Almería)
Photo: Trail Cova da BruxaTrail Cova da Bruxa
Muros, A Coruña
V Trail Cova da Bruxa — 26K, 15K, 9K and vertical race in the mountains of Muros, Galician Atlantic coast
FeaturedPhoto: Zegama-AizkorriZegama-Aizkorri
Zegama
42K and VK through the Aizkorri range — the most legendary skyrunning race in Spain
Neveros Vertical
Ágreda, Soria
Neveros Vertical — 5K with 1,000m D+ on Moncayo, Soria
KM Vertical Fuente Dé
Fuente Dé, Camaleño
XVI KM Vertical Fuente Dé — 2.6K with 972m D+ in Picos de Europa, Cantabria
Kilómetro Vertical de la Barranca
Navacerrada
Classic Madrid vertical race: 7.3 km and 1,010 m D+ from the Barranca Valley to the Bola del Mundo summit (2,267 m)
Camille Extreme
Isaba
20th Camille Extreme — 32K and 2,044m D+ through the Roncal Valley with the ascent to Ezkaurre (2,047m)
Ultra Trail Torla-Ordesa
Torla-Ordesa, Huesca
From 2.9K to 50K in Ordesa National Park: trail running at the foot of Monte Perdido
Gran Trail Trangoworld Aneto-Posets
Benasque
From 5K to 105K between the Pyrenean rooftops: Aneto and Posets from the Benasque Valley
100MElite
FeaturedPhoto: TrailRunning.ar / Fabián LuengoCanfranc-Canfranc
Canfranc-Estación
From 6K to 100K through the central Pyrenees from the iconic Canfranc International Station
Photo: Kepe / Mañaritik AtxetaraMañaritik Atxetara
Mañaria, Vizcaya
3rd edition — 43K with 3,900m elevation gain over Anboto and Urkiolamendi, plus 22K, 13K, a vertical climb and a mountain walk
Uharte-Arakil Beriain Km Bertikala
Uharte-Arakil
16th edition of the Uharte-Arakil to Beriain vertical kilometer: 5 km and 1,023 m of elevation gain in Navarra, Spain
Gear up for the mountains
The right gear makes the difference on race day. Our comparison guides to choose well.
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