X CxM Sierro

X CxM Sierro

The X CxM Sierro is a mountain race through the Sierra de los Filabres, the main mountain range in Almería province, with start and finish at the Plaza de Andalucía in Sierro. The 2026 edition is the tenth, consolidating its place on the Andalusian calendar as the fourth round of the Andalusian Mountain Running Cup and host of the Andalusian MiniCxM Championship.

Sierro is a small village in the Almanzora Valley, inland Almería, with just over 350 inhabitants. Its rugged setting and altitude (around 700 m) make it a natural base for Mediterranean mountain trail running, with a mix of technical single-track, forest tracks and pine and scrub vegetation.

A 24K route with 1,100m D+

The main modality is a 24 km loop with approximately 1,100 metres of positive elevation gain. The route covers:

• Sierra single-track along the slopes of the Sierra de los Filabres
• Forest tracks between pine groves and Mediterranean vegetation
• Ridge sections with views over the Almanzora Valley and the Sierra Nevada in the distance
• Technical stretches with the loose stone characteristic of the Almería mountains

Cut-off is 4h30 for both modalities. The MiniCxM 12K with 680m D+ shares part of the course and hosts the Andalusian MiniCxM Championship — a shorter but demanding race that gathers the best Andalusian short-distance runners.

May in the Sierra de los Filabres

The May 3 date places the race at the very start of the Almería heat. Mornings in Sierro are still cool (8-12°C at dawn), but temperatures climb fast during the race and easily reach 22-25°C in mid-zones at midday. Hydration management and sun protection are decisive: inland Almería has one of the driest climates on the Iberian Peninsula, with high UV radiation even in spring.

The race is organized by Club Etón Sport together with the Sierro municipality and the support of the Almería provincial council, under the Andalusian Mountaineering Federation (FADMES). Services are complete: chip timing, multiple aid stations, medical support, locker rooms with showers, post-race meal and a runner bag with Almanzora Valley produce.

Sierro and the Almanzora Valley beyond the race

Sierro is part of the Almanzora Valley, a little-known region of inland Almería that hides some of the most authentic landscapes of the southeastern Iberian Peninsula. It is famous for the white marble of Macael (15 minutes away), quarried since Roman times, and for its villages of Moorish origin with narrow streets and stone architecture.

Half an hour away you’ll find spots like Bacares and Bayárcal, and a bit further north are the Cuevas del Almanzora with their rock-art heritage. For those combining trail and coast, Mojácar and the Almería Mediterranean coastline are just over an hour away.

Looking for more races in Andalusia? Browse our full Andalusia race calendar or build your season with TrailRunTemple’s race planner.