Moderate Elevation Gain Trail Races in Spain 2026
Moderate elevation gain races, between 800 and 2,000 metres of positive gain, make up the bulk of the trail running calendar in Spain. These are events that combine demanding climbs with technical sections and stretches where you can open your stride and enjoy running. This elevation range forces you to manage effort between ascent and descent: knowing how to fast-hike uphill and release your legs on descents makes the difference. The Pyrenees, Cantabrian Range, Central System and Mediterranean sierras offer hundreds of races in this range, with varied profiles from gentle valleys to the most iconic mountain passes. It is the category where most trail runners find their comfort zone and where technical and physical improvement shows race after race.
83
Races
2.6 – 48 km
Distance range
0 – 1,900 D+
Elevation range
Mar – Nov
Race months
Difficulty
Tips
Alternate between running and fast hiking on climbs: the power hiking technique saves energy for descents.
Train technical descents frequently — moderate elevation means long downhills that can punish your legs.
Carry poles if the course has sustained climbs of more than 400 m D+ in a row.
Practise the climb-to-descent transition in training: switching modes quickly is key on rolling profiles.
Race map
Click a marker to see race details
Race calendar
June2025
March2026

El Valle Trail
Murcia · Region of Murcia

Subbética Trail
Zuheros · Andalusia

Kilómetro Vertical Media Legua Gruesa
Purchena · Andalusia

CxM Alfarnat Trail
Alfarnate · Andalusia

Petaca Trail
Cabezarrubias del Puerto, Ciudad Real · Castile-La Mancha

Trail Cova da Bruxa
Muros, A Coruña · Galicia

Foncea Trail
Foncea · La Rioja

Trail Covatelles
Oliva · Valencian Community
April2026

CxM Villa de Casares
Casares · Andalusia

Volta Peramola
Peramola · Catalonia

IV CxM Silvia Lara
Cazorla · Andalusia

Trail Cabo de Ajo
Ajo, Bareyo · Cantabria

Aoiz Mountain Race
Aoiz · Navarre

VIII Trail El Calvario del Dragón
Osuna · Andalusia

Arganza Trail — Cañón del Río Lobos
San Leonardo de Yagüe · Castile and Leon

Garganta de los Infiernos Mountain Race
Jerte, Cáceres · Extremadura

Bera Mountain Half Marathon
Bera · Navarre

Trail Tierra de Ibias
San Antolín de Ibias · Asturias

GR 322 Nafarroa Xtrem
Zubiri · Navarre

X CxM Deportes Parra Hervás
Hervás, Cáceres · Extremadura

Trail Mina de la Plata de Bustarviejo
Bustarviejo · Community of Madrid

Aloñako Igoera
Oñati, Gipuzkoa · Basque Country
May2026

CxM Trabuco Trail
Villanueva del Trabuco · Andalusia

X CxM Sierro
Sierro · Andalusia

Xtreme Higa de Monreal
Monreal · Navarre

Berroeta Mendi Maratoi Erdia
Berroeta · Navarre

Trail Vila de Cuntis
Cuntis, Pontevedra · Galicia

Cross de la Pedriza
Manzanares el Real · Community of Madrid

Haritzen Mendi Lasterketa
Unzué · Navarre

Neveros Vertical
Ágreda, Soria · Castile and Leon

Mitxarro Bira
Araia · Basque Country

XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
Aldeanueva de la Vera, Cáceres · Extremadura

Cross de Cuerda Larga
Miraflores de la Sierra · Community of Madrid

Lakuntza-Aralar Mendi Lasterketa
Lakuntza · Navarre
June2026

KM Vertical Fuente Dé
Fuente Dé, Camaleño · Cantabria

CxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
Frigiliana · Andalusia

Mazucator Sky
Villa de Mazo, La Palma · Canary Islands

Kilómetro Vertical de la Barranca
Navacerrada · Community of Madrid

Desafío Galayos 2026
Arenas de San Pedro, Ávila · Castile and Leon

Trail Heróica Sacra
Chantada, Lugo · Galicia

Triku Trail
Etxarri-Aranatz · Navarre
August2026
September2026

Carreña Trail
Carreña de Cabrales · Asturias

Burriac ATAC!
Vilassar de Mar · Catalonia

Trail La Grajera
Lantueno, Santiurde de Reinosa · Cantabria

Ardisana Trail
Ardisana · Asturias

Cursa Ibérica Figueroles
Figueroles · Valencian Community

XXVI Pujada al Montcabrer
Alcoy · Valencian Community

Axari Trail
Idiazabal · Basque Country

Desafío Las Reliquias
Oviedo · Asturias

Vitoria-Gasteiz Trail
Vitoria-Gasteiz · Basque Country

Uharte-Arakil Beriain Km Bertikala
Uharte-Arakil · Navarre

X Trail de Jalance
Jalance · Valencian Community

Carrera de Montaña Picu Turbina
Rozagás · Asturias

Trail Indiano
Somao · Asturias

Cross de Las Dehesas
Cercedilla · Community of Madrid
October2026

Anboto KB
Atxondo · Basque Country

Mansolea Trail
Pimiango · Asturias

Sorginen Lasterketa
Atxondo · Basque Country

Harz-Gebirgslauf (Brocken-Marathon)
Wernigerode · Saxony-Anhalt

Arnedillo Trail
Arnedillo · La Rioja

Santa Cruz Extreme
Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Canary Islands

Trail Buciero Escal
Santoña · Cantabria

Desafío Cucón - Montes de Fuencaliente
Fuencaliente · Castile-La Mancha

CxM Miranda de Ebro
Miranda de Ebro, Burgos · Castile and Leon

I Trail Desfiladero del Ruecas
Cañamero, Cáceres · Extremadura

Ibiza Trail Maratón Festival
Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza · Balearic Islands

Anguiano Trail
Anguiano · La Rioja

Betagarri Trail
Ancín · Navarre

Trail Trans Serra da Groba
Baiona · Galicia
November2026

Cross de los 3 Refugios
Manzanares el Real · Community of Madrid

Trail Montañas del Aranda – Brea de Aragón
Brea de Aragón · Aragon

Cursa de l'Alba
Collbató, Barcelona · Catalonia

Trail Arróniz
Arróniz · Navarre

Trail Siero
Pola de Siero · Asturias

Zenagas Trail
Puertollano · Castile-La Mancha

La Pota Roja Cervelló
Cervelló, Barcelona · Catalonia

Valcorchero Extreme Trail
Plasencia, Cáceres · Extremadura

Entremontañas Paralelo 28
La Aldea de San Nicolás, Gran Canaria · Canary Islands
83 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: El Valle TrailEl Valle Trail
Murcia
26K and 18K through El Valle and Carrascoy Regional Park, at the gates of Murcia

Subbética Trail
Zuheros
29K and 18K through the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park (Córdoba)

Kilómetro Vertical Media Legua Gruesa
Purchena
5 km and 900m elevation gain through Barranco de Geva in Purchena (Almería)

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
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
Photo: Juan Luis PérezFoncea Trail
Foncea
Trail running through the Obarenes Mountains in La Rioja: 20K and 13.5K in a Natura 2000 area

Trail Covatelles
Oliva
23K with 1,000m D+ through Sierra de la Safor from Oliva, Valencia

CxM Villa de Casares
Casares
21K and 14K through Sierra Crestellina from Casares (Malaga)

Volta Peramola
Peramola
25K, 10K and 5K Hike through the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees from Peramola (Lleida)

IV CxM Silvia Lara
Cazorla
21K and 12K through the Sierra de Cazorla trails from the heart of Jaén

Trail Cabo de Ajo
Ajo, Bareyo
Trail Cabo de Ajo — 22K & 20K along cliffs, lighthouse and Cantabrian coastline in Ajo, Bareyo

Aoiz Mountain Race
Aoiz
10th edition of the Aoiz mountain race: 14 km through the Zarikieta range in the Navarrese Pre-Pyrenees

VIII Trail El Calvario del Dragón
Osuna
23K and 12K through the streams and pine forests of Osuna, final of the Seville Mountain Running Cup

Arganza Trail — Cañón del Río Lobos
San Leonardo de Yagüe
33K with 1,900m D+ through the Cañón del Río Lobos from San Leonardo de Yagüe, Soria

Garganta de los Infiernos Mountain Race
Jerte, Cáceres
26 km and 1,500 m D+ through the Garganta de los Infiernos Nature Reserve in the Jerte Valley

Bera Mountain Half Marathon
Bera
20th Bera Mountain Half Marathon — 21.81 km and 1,376m D+ to the Larun summit on the Navarre-France border

Trail Tierra de Ibias
San Antolín de Ibias
III Trail Tierra de Ibias — 21.9K / 12.7K / 8.5K through vineyards, forests and mountains in the heart of Ibias, Asturias

GR 322 Nafarroa Xtrem
Zubiri
Loop around Monte Adi in the Navarran Pyrenees: 35 km and 1,800m D+ from Zubiri

X CxM Deportes Parra Hervás
Hervás, Cáceres
X CxM Deportes Parra Hervás — Two trail distances (21.5K, 10.5K) through the Ambroz Valley trails, Hervás, Cáceres

Trail Mina de la Plata de Bustarviejo
Bustarviejo
Trail running in Madrid's Sierra Norte: 3 distances through the historic silver mine trails of Bustarviejo

Aloñako Igoera
Oñati, Gipuzkoa
XXI Aloñako Igoera — 22.6K with 1,868 m D+ through the mountains of Oñati, Gipuzkoa
Photo: Andalucía RunningCxM Trabuco Trail
Villanueva del Trabuco
23.5K with 1,500m D+ through the Sierra de San Jorge from Villanueva del Trabuco
Photo: Club Etón Sport / FADMESX CxM Sierro
Sierro
24K and 1,100m D+ through the Sierra de los Filabres · Andalusian Cup and MiniCxM Championship

Xtreme Higa de Monreal
Monreal
Two distances up the Higa de Monreal: 21K and 12K on the giant of the Pamplona Basin
Photo: Berroetako Mendi ElkarteaBerroeta Mendi Maratoi Erdia
Berroeta
21.6K, 15K and 10K through the Baztan Valley mountains with Saioa summit as the high point
Photo: Trail Vila de CuntisTrail Vila de Cuntis
Cuntis, Pontevedra
XII Trail Vila de Cuntis — Three trail distances (21K, 15K, 10K) through the mountains of the thermal spa town of Cuntis, Pontevedra

Cross de la Pedriza
Manzanares el Real
Legendary race through La Pedriza: 25 km and 1,600 m D+ across the most spectacular granite landscape of the Sierra de Guadarrama, scoring for the Copa de Hierro

Haritzen Mendi Lasterketa
Unzué
2nd edition of the Haritzen Mendi Lasterketa in Unzué: 24 km and 11 km through the Alaitz range, part of the 2026 Navarra Cup

Neveros Vertical
Ágreda, Soria
Neveros Vertical — 5K with 1,000m D+ on Moncayo, Soria
Photo: Mitxarro BiraMitxarro Bira
Araia
27.5K and 14K through the Sierra de Altzania in the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park

XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
Aldeanueva de la Vera, Cáceres
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona — Mountain trail (21K, 11K) through the Sierra de Gredos from Aldeanueva de la Vera, Cáceres

Cross de Cuerda Larga
Miraflores de la Sierra
Classic Sierra de Guadarrama traverse: 26 km and 1,500 m D+ along the Cuerda Larga ridge between Morcuera and Navacerrada, with summits above 2,000 m

Lakuntza-Aralar Mendi Lasterketa
Lakuntza
21st Lakuntza-Aralar — Mountain race through the Aralar Natural Park: 26K and 13K from Lakuntza

KM Vertical Fuente Dé
Fuente Dé, Camaleño
XVI KM Vertical Fuente Dé — 2.6K with 972m D+ in Picos de Europa, Cantabria
Photo: Andalucía RunningCxM El Fuerte de Frigiliana
Frigiliana
21K with 1,200m D+ through the Sierras de Tejeda y Almijara Natural Park from one of Spain's most beautiful villages
Photo: Mazucator TrailMazucator Sky
Villa de Mazo, La Palma
Skyrunning in La Palma: 25K with 1,700m D+ through the volcanic trails of Villa de Mazo

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)

Desafío Galayos 2026
Arenas de San Pedro, Ávila
Desafío Galayos 2026 — 20K mountain trail in Sierra de Gredos from Arenas de San Pedro. Spanish Club Ultra Trail Championship (FEDME).
Photo: Trail Heróica SacraTrail Heróica Sacra
Chantada, Lugo
V Trail Heróica Sacra — Tres distancias de trail (33K, 23K, 12K) por los cañones de la Ribeira Sacra entre Chantada y O Saviñao, Lugo

Triku Trail
Etxarri-Aranatz
12th edition of Triku Trail in Etxarri-Aranatz: 21K and 10K through oak and beech forests past 8 ancient dolmens
Photo: RockTheSportB2H Trail
Mirafuentes
The two great peaks of the Berrueza: 17.4 km of pure mountain racing from Mirafuentes (Navarre), starting and finishing on the main street
Photo: Peón TrailPeón Trail
Peón
18K and 9K along the Cordal de Peón, in Villaviciosa
Photo: Trail de UbiñaTrail de Ubiña
Tuiza de Arriba
21K and 15K around the Ubiña massif, in Tuiza de Arriba (Lena)
Photo: Carreña TrailCarreña Trail
Carreña de Cabrales
30K, 9K and a 4.5K night race from Carreña de Cabrales, at the foot of the Picos de Europa
Photo: Burriac ATAC!Burriac ATAC!
Vilassar de Mar
Night trail run of 21K and 15K over the Burriac massif, from inland hills to the Maresme beach
Photo: Trail La GrajeraTrail La Grajera
Lantueno, Santiurde de Reinosa
Trail La Grajera — 21K with 1,400 m of climbing through beech forests and passes in Campoo, Cantabria
Photo: Trail Valle de ArdisanaArdisana Trail
Ardisana
15K and 1,000m of gain across the summits of the Ardisana valley (Llanes)
Photo: Juan Emilio Prades Bel (CC BY-SA 4.0)Cursa Ibérica Figueroles
Figueroles
17K and ~800m gain along the ancient Iberian paths of Figueroles, in l'Alcalatén (Castellón)
Photo: Agenda AlcoyXXVI Pujada al Montcabrer
Alcoy
19K and 977m gain from Alcoy to the summit of Montcabrer — 26th edition on September 13, 2026
Photo: Axari Trail Mendi LasterketaAxari Trail
Idiazabal
25K and 1,550m of climbing across the slopes of Aizkorri from Idiazabal, capped at 200 runners
Photo: Desafío Las Reliquias / Hermandad de los EstudiantesDesafío Las Reliquias
Oviedo
27K and 1,590m of gain from La Foz de Morcín to Oviedo Cathedral, along the historic Holy Ark route
Photo: Vitoria-Gasteiz TrailVitoria-Gasteiz Trail
Vitoria-Gasteiz
You leave downtown Vitoria-Gasteiz and within 1 km you're already on the Green Ring: 26K with 1,300m D+ and UTMB Index points

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
Photo: Arcadio Oliver Atienzar (CC BY-SA 4.0)X Trail de Jalance
Jalance
20.5K and 1183m of climbing through the sierras of the Valle de Ayora-Cofrentes, below the Muela and castle of Jalance
Photo: CxM Picu TurbinaCarrera de Montaña Picu Turbina
Rozagás
12K with steep elevation gain between Rozagás and the summit of Picu Turbina, in the Sierra del Cuera
Photo: A.D. Sin FronterasTrail Indiano
Somao
20K and 13K through Somao, a village of indiano architecture in Pravia

Cross de Las Dehesas
Cercedilla
Sierra de Guadarrama classic: 29 km and 1,900 m D+ through Siete Picos, Montón de Trigo and Guadarrama National Park summits
Photo: iñaki (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0)Anboto KB
Atxondo
Anboto KB — a 1,092 m D+ vertical kilometre to the summit of Anboto
Photo: Mansolea TrailMansolea Trail
Pimiango
20K, 11.7K and a walking option along the Ribadedeva coast, between cliffs and historic heritage
Photo: Asier Sarasua Aranberri (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0)Sorginen Lasterketa
Atxondo
Sorginen Lasterketa — 21K and 1,700 m D+ below Anboto, in Urkiola
Photo: Harz-GebirgslaufHarz-Gebirgslauf (Brocken-Marathon)
Wernigerode
48th edition in 2026: northern Germany's most demanding marathon, climbing to the legendary Brocken (1,141 m).
Photo: McBodes (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0)Arnedillo Trail
Arnedillo
Arnedillo Trail — 25K and 1,584 m D+ through the Cidacos valley, among vultures and hot springs
Photo: Santa Cruz ExtremeSanta Cruz Extreme
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Skyrunning in Anaga (Tenerife): 25K with 1,460m D+ through the oldest laurel forest in the Canaries
Photo: Jl FilpoC (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)Trail Buciero Escal
Santoña
Trail Buciero Escal — 17.9K and 1,028 m D+ looping around Monte Buciero above the sea, in Santoña
Photo: Javier Martín (Wikimedia Commons, public domain)Desafío Cucón - Montes de Fuencaliente
Fuencaliente
Desafío Cucón — 29K and 1,400 m D+ through the Montes de Fuencaliente and Sierra Madrona, Ciudad Real
Photo: Club Mirandés de Montaña / FDMESCYLCxM Miranda de Ebro
Miranda de Ebro, Burgos
Castile and Leon club mountain running championship — 26K Trail (1,477 m D+) and 15.5K through the Obarenes range in Burgos
Photo: Axel Cotón Gutiérrez (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)I Trail Desfiladero del Ruecas
Cañamero, Cáceres
First edition: 21K and 12K through the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark, alongside the Ruecas river gorge
Photo: Ibiza Trail Maratón FestivalIbiza Trail Maratón Festival
Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza
48K, 28K, and 11K through the trails and beaches of Ibiza — the premier trail festival in the Balearics
Photo: Pigmentoazul (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)Anguiano Trail
Anguiano
Anguiano Trail — 24K and 1,500 m D+ above the Najerilla valley, in the village of the stilt dancers

Betagarri Trail
Ancín
6th edition of the Betagarri Trail: three distances through Sierra de Lokiz in Tierra Estella (Navarra)
Photo: Jjhermida (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)Trail Trans Serra da Groba
Baiona
Trail Trans Serra da Groba — 29K and 1,000 m D+ above the Atlantic, among wild horses

Cross de los 3 Refugios
Manzanares el Real
Legendary Sierra de Guadarrama traverse: 24 km and 1,700 m D+ from Manzanares el Real to Puerto de Navacerrada through La Pedriza and La Maliciosa
Photo: Diegoriosferreiro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsTrail Montañas del Aranda – Brea de Aragón
Brea de Aragón
21K and 1,175 m of climbing through the Sierra de la Virgen, from the cradle of Aragonese shoemaking
Photo: Cursa de l'AlbaCursa de l'Alba
Collbató, Barcelona
22K and 12K starting at sunrise beneath Montserrat — Collbató's dawn race
Photo: Club Deportivo Kirol Taldea ArrónizTrail Arróniz
Arróniz
9th edition of Trail Arróniz: 23 km and 1,300 m of climbing up Montejurra, on November 7, 2026
Photo: Trail SieroTrail Siero
Pola de Siero
25K and 1,050m of climbing from Pola de Siero to Cerro Gavio, the municipality's highest point
Photo: Camino a Gaia (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)Zenagas Trail
Puertollano
Zenagas Trail — 26K and 1,300 m D+ through the Dehesa Boyal, closing round of the Castilla-La Mancha CxM Cup
Photo: La Pota Roja CervellóLa Pota Roja Cervelló
Cervelló, Barcelona
42K, 24K, 14K, and 8K through the trails around Cervelló, less than an hour from Barcelona
Photo: FEXMEValcorchero Extreme Trail
Plasencia, Cáceres
23K and 13.5K through the Valcorchero Protected Landscape in Plasencia — UTMB circuit, capped at 340 runners
Photo: Entremontañas Paralelo 28Entremontañas Paralelo 28
La Aldea de San Nicolás, Gran Canaria
Skyrunning in Gran Canaria: 24K with 1,185m D+ through the Biosphere Reserve of La Aldea

Xtrail Series Run Òrrius
Òrrius
21K, 15K and 10K through the Serralada del Litoral from Òrrius (Barcelona)
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