Photo: Juan Pablo Olmo (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0) (opens in a new tab)Nerja
Almijara Trail
Sunday, 1 November 2026
Your checklist for Almijara Trail
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
0 of 6 ready
Swipe to see all 7 categories
Swipe to see all 7 categories
GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Garmin Forerunner 570
Full-color topo maps, a first for the Forerunner line
Downside: Shorter battery life than a Forerunner 965 with maps on
Gear
Shoes with good grip for loose rock and dirt sections
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Nike Ultrafly
ZoomX foam: exceptional energy return inherited from the Vaporfly
Downside: High price (190 EUR)
Nutrition
Aim for 50-70 g of carbs per hour on the 40K trail
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Maurten Gel 100
Hydrogel technology: excellent gastric tolerance
Downside: High price compared to other gels
Sun Protection
SPF 50 sunscreen on face and neck before starting
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)ISDIN Fusion Water Sunscreen SPF 50+
Ultralight texture, feels invisible on skin
Downside: Small format (50 ml), may run short on ultras
Body Care
Anti-chafe balm on feet and groin before starting
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
Easy-to-apply stick format, even with sweaty hands
Downside: Higher price than traditional petroleum jelly
Car Rental
Pick up your car at Málaga airport
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)DRIVALIA CarCloud Country Plus
Trip logistics
Registration, travel and insurance: what you should have sorted before race day.
Affiliate links: if you buy, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Seasonal kit
Rain and mud at Almijara Trail: pack this kit
Grippy shoes, rain jacket, gaiters and blister protection for a wet race.
See the full kit : Rain and Mud Trail Running Kit 2026: What to Bring to a Wet RaceYou may also need: What to Wear for Cold-Weather Trail Running 2026: The Complete Layering Kit
Race data
Terrain
Mountain
Difficulty
Advanced
Distance
3 modalities
Trail 40K
- Distance
- 40 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 2000m
- Max Time
- 8h
Trail 23K
- Distance
- 23 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 1100m
- Max Time
- 5h
Mini Trail 11K
- Distance
- 11 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 260m
- Max Time
- 2h30
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trail 40K | 40 km | D+ 2000m | 8h |
| Trail 23K | 23 km | D+ 1100m | 5h |
| Mini Trail 11K | 11 km | D+ 260m | 2h30 |
Will your watch battery last the ~10 h of Almijara Trail?Worked out for the longest course (40 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchGear up for Almijara Trail
Buying guides with the best value for money, picked for this kind of terrain.
Swipe to see all 4 comparisons
Best Neck Gaiter (Buff) for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
See comparison
Best Trail Running Headlamps 2026: 12 Models Compared
See comparison
Best GPS Watches with Offline Maps 2026: Value Comparison
See comparison
Best Trail Running Poles 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide
See comparison
Historical weather
What to wear at 15 °C: guide and kit →
Typical weather for the race date (10-year average)
Temperature
17°C – 23°C
Average 20°C
Rain
37%
4.3 mm avg
Wind
14 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
8h
daily average
Gear recommendations
Bring a waterproof jacket (37% chance of rain)
Asics
Asics Gel-Trabuco 14 GTX
A best-selling beginner trail shoe: GEL cushioning, good stability and a waterproof GORE-TEX membrane. Versatile and reliable for training on mixed terrain in any weather.
Berghaus
Berghaus Paclite 2.0 GTX
Waterproof jacket with a Gore-Tex Paclite membrane (around 330 g). Fully waterproof with taped seams, fixed adjustable hood, storm flap behind the zip and cuff adjustment. Packs down small in a vest. Heavier than a pure running hardshell, but it meets the waterproof-breathable membrane requirement in race rules and is the affordable route into Gore-Tex.
Brooks
Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX
The Cascadia 20 with a GORE-TEX membrane: stability and protection for rocky mountain terrain, keeping the foot dry on cold, rainy days.
Gore Wear
Gore Wear C5 GORE-TEX Glove
Glove with a fully waterproof, windproof GORE-TEX membrane and light insulation. The pick for running in snow, sleet or heavy rain while keeping your hand dry.
Gore Wear
Gore Wear M GORE-TEX Thermo Glove
Warmer variant of the Gore Wear C5 GORE-TEX: the same fully waterproof, windproof membrane, with extra thermal lining for intense cold on top of snow or rain. The pick when the problem isn't just water, but water AND hard cold at once.
Gore Wear
Gore Wear R7 GTX Shakedry
Ultralight Gore-Tex Shakedry waterproof jacket (110 g). Full waterproofing without an inner membrane, highly breathable. The benchmark for mountain runners.
Nike
Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX
The best-selling gateway trail shoe: comfortable, cushioned and versatile for moving from road to trail. Waterproof GORE-TEX version, perfect for beginners and easy runs on mixed terrain.
Salomon
Salomon Bonatti Pro Waterproof Glove
Lightweight waterproof glove built for running, not just standing still in the snow: a waterproof membrane with more dexterity and less bulk than a thick membrane glove, for sustained rain without giving up handling gels or poles.
Salomon
Salomon Bonatti WP
Ultralight waterproof windproof jacket (135 g). Taped seams, adjustable hood and back ventilation. Packs into its own pocket.
Salomon
Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX
The Speedcross 6 with a GORE-TEX membrane: the same aggressive 5 mm lugs for mud and soft ground, now waterproof for winter, rain and snow.
Sealskinz
Sealskinz Waterproof Lightweight Glove
Lightweight waterproof glove from a brand that specializes in outdoor sport waterproofing. A solid middle ground between a thin windproof glove and a thick membrane glove: genuinely waterproof without the bulk or price of the Gore C5.
Shokz
Shokz OpenRun
Open-ear bone conduction headphones with IP67 rating: they take rain, mud and a rinse under the tap. Up to 8 h of battery and quick charge (10 min for 1.5 h). The most rugged pick of the range for training in bad weather.
TRIWONDER
TRIWONDER Waterproof Trail Gaiters
Waterproof, breathable low gaiters for trail running, hiking and mountain use. Under-shoe strap and adjustable elastic band. A budget-friendly alternative to premium technical brand gaiters.
Sun protection essential (8h sunshine, up to 23°C)
Forecast for 1 November
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
Almijara Trail
Almijara Trail is the reference mountain race in Nerja, on the eastern Costa del Sol. Organized by Club Nerja de Atletismo, it starts and finishes at the Enrique López Cuenca Athletics Stadium and heads into the Sierra de Almijara, a limestone massif separating the Málaga coast from the Granada region of the Alpujarra. The 2026 edition keeps its three distances — a 40-kilometer long trail with 2,000 meters of elevation gain, a 23K trail, and an 11K mini trail — and hosts the Andalusian Club Mountain Running Championship.
A Course Between Mountain and Mediterranean
The route combines trails, singletrack sections, and forest tracks that gain altitude quickly from sea level into the foothills of the Almijara range. Runners face technical sections of loose rock and, in return, open views over the Mediterranean and the Nerja coastline that few Andalusian mountain races can match.
Sierra de Almijara, a Border Between Málaga and Granada
The Sierra de Almijara is part of the Sierras Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park, a protected area of Spanish fir and oak forests spanning the provinces of Málaga and Granada. Its proximity to the sea creates a distinctive microclimate: tough climbs followed by descents with the Mediterranean as a backdrop.
Nerja Beyond the Race
Nerja is one of the most visited destinations on the Costa del Sol, with the Balcón de Europa and the Nerja Cave as landmarks, plus coves like Maro just minutes away. The nearby white village of Frigiliana rounds out a weekend of mountains and coast. Check out more races in Andalusia and plan your weekend with the trip planner.
360Complete Pack
Almijara Trail 2026 Registration
RegistrationOrganized by Club Nerja de Atletismo, with three distances and the Andalusian Club Championship at stake.
Tips
- •Register online through the Club Nerja de Atletismo website
- •Limited spots due to the technical demands of the course
- •You need a mountain federation license or a day insurance policy
- •Bib pickup on Saturday afternoon at the Enrique López Cuenca Stadium
Where to Stay for Almijara Trail
AccommodationNerja is an established tourist destination on the Costa del Sol, with hotels and apartments available, though occupancy drops in November.
Tips
- •Nerja's town center, minutes from the stadium
- •Apartments with views over the Balcón de Europa
- •Alternative in Frigiliana or Torrox, 15-20 minutes away
Gear for Almijara Trail
GearUp to 40 km and 2,000 m of elevation gain on trails and singletrack in the Sierra de Almijara. Technical terrain with loose rock in the high sections.
Tips
- •Shoes with good grip for loose rock and dirt sections
- •Poles useful on the steepest climbs of the long trail
- •Light windbreaker: wind picks up at altitude
Which shoes for Almijara Trail?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for Almijara Trail?
Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time
Best Neck Gaiter (Buff) for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
Comparison of the best neck gaiters for trail running in 2026: Buff Original, Midweight, Windproof, DryFlx, CoolNet UV+, Thermonet, HANKER and Salomon Merino. Which to pick based on sun, wind, cold or budget.
Best Thermal Base Layer for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
The best thermal base layers for trail running in 2026: Odlo Active Warm Eco, Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis, Craft Pro Hypervent, Under Armour ColdGear, Salomon Agile LS Tee and Odlo I-Thermic. Which to pick based on cold, sweat management, merino wool, compression or built-in wind protection.
Best Trail Running Gaiters 2026: 3-Way Comparison
Comparing the 3 best trail running gaiters in 2026: Salomon Trail Gaiters High, Salomon Trail Gaiters Low and TRIWONDER waterproof gaiters. Which to pick by terrain and budget.
Nutrition for Almijara Trail
NutritionBetween 2 and 8 hours of effort depending on distance, with aid stations on course but autonomy is recommended for the long trail.
Tips
- •Aim for 50-70 g of carbs per hour on the 40K trail
- •Stay hydrated: even in November, the Axarquía sun warms up
- •Solid breakfast 2-3 hours before the start
How to Get to Nerja
TransportNerja sits on the eastern Málaga coast, well connected via the A-7.
Tips
- •From Málaga city: 50 minutes via the A-7
- •Málaga airport is 1h15 by car
- •Regular Alsa buses from Málaga
Car Rental in the Axarquía
Car RentalWith a car you can extend the weekend to Frigiliana, the Nerja Cave, and the white villages of the Axarquía.
Tips
- •Pick up your car at Málaga airport
- •Parking available near the Enrique López Cuenca Stadium
Sports Insurance for Almijara Trail
InsuranceA federated mountain race with technical sections in the Sierra de Almijara. Insurance is mandatory to participate.
Tips
- •Valid FEDME/FAM license or mandatory day insurance
- •Registration includes accident insurance for the race
Body Care for Almijara Trail
Body CareLoose rock and technical sections: protect your feet and chafe-prone areas, especially on the long trail.
Tips
- •Anti-chafe balm on feet and groin before starting
- •Compression socks for post-race recovery
Sun Protection for Almijara Trail
Sun ProtectionThe Axarquía still gets strong sun in November, and much of the course is exposed.
Tips
- •SPF 50 sunscreen on face and neck before starting
- •Cap or buff for the mid-morning sun
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Almijara Trail 2026?
- Almijara Trail 2026 takes place on Sunday, November 1, 2026, starting and finishing at the Enrique López Cuenca Athletics Stadium in Nerja.
- What distances are offered?
- The long trail, 40 km with about 2,000 m of elevation gain; the trail, 23 km with 1,100 m; and the mini trail, 11 km with 260 m.
- Does it count toward any championship?
- Yes, Almijara Trail hosts the Andalusian Club Mountain Running Championship, which draws the region's top teams.
- What is the course like?
- It combines trails, singletrack sections, and forest tracks through the Sierra de Almijara, with open views over the Mediterranean and the Nerja coastline.
- How do you get to Nerja?
- Nerja sits on the eastern coast of Málaga province, 50 km from the capital via the A-7, and 1h15 from Málaga airport.
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