Casares
CxM Villa de Casares
Saturday, 3 April 2027estimated date
Trail 21K
21km D+ 1094m
Hiking Route 14K
14km D+ 745m
Your checklist for CxM Villa de Casares
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
0 of 6 ready
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GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED 45 mm
Onboard topo maps, unlike the Instinct 3 Solar
Downside: Shorter battery life than the Instinct 3 Solar (no solar charging or MIP display)
Gear
Trail shoes with good grip: limestone terrain and slippery 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
Carry extra gels or bars between aid stations
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Gourmet Latino Guava Sandwich
100% natural, no artificial ingredients
Downside: Very sweet flavour, can get tiring with repeated intake
Sun Protection
Apply sunscreen before the start
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
Sunglasses for the exposed ridge sections
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Buff CoolNet UV+
UPF 50+: blocks 98% of UV radiation
Downside: UV protection decreases with wear after many washes
Car Rental
Pick up the car at Malaga or Gibraltar 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.
Race data
Terrain
Trail
Difficulty
Intermediate
Distance
2 modalities
Trail 21K
- Distance
- 21 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 1094m
- Max Time
- -
Hiking Route 14K
- Distance
- 14 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 745m
- Max Time
- -
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trail 21K | 21 km | D+ 1094m | - |
| Hiking Route 14K | 14 km | D+ 745m | - |
Will your watch battery last the ~5 h of CxM Villa de Casares?Worked out for the longest course (21 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchGear up for CxM Villa de Casares
Buying guides with the best value for money, picked for this kind of terrain.
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Best GPS Watches with Offline Maps 2026: Value Comparison
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Best Trail Running Hydration Vests 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide
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The 6 Best Trail Running Socks 2026
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Strength Training Gear for Trail Running at Home 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide
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Historical weather
What to wear at 15 °C: guide and kit →
Typical weather for the race date (10-year average)
Temperature
10°C – 18°C
Average 14°C
Rain
27%
3.1 mm avg
Wind
20 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
10h
daily average
Forecast for 3 April
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
CxM Villa de Casares
The CxM Villa de Casares is a mountain race through the trails of Sierra Crestellina and its surroundings, starting and finishing in Casares, one of the most spectacular white villages in Malaga province. In 2026 it celebrates its ninth edition.
Casares, perched on a hilltop and crowned by its 13th-century Arab castle, is the starting point for a course that crosses pine forests, cork oak groves, streams, and limestone ridges through the Sierra Crestellina Natural Area and Monte del Duque.
The course
The CxM Villa de Casares offers two main categories:
- Trail 21K — 1,094m D+. A competitive, demanding course through Sierra Crestellina, with steep climbs, stream crossings, and a technical descent back to the village square. Cut-off time: 5 hours.
- Hiking Route 14K — A non-competitive option to enjoy the landscape at a more relaxed pace.
The terrain combines mountain trails, forest tracks, and technical sections along the sierra’s limestone ridges. The race starts with a sharp climb from the village square, and the final stretch descends from the castle back to the center of Casares.
Casares and Sierra Crestellina
Casares is famous for its white silhouette crowned by the ruins of a 13th-century Arab castle. The village, birthplace of the Roman physician Julius Casarius, blends history, gastronomy, and landscapes stretching from the mountains to the coastal beaches.
Sierra Crestellina is a protected Natural Area known for its limestone formations and biodiversity. The course also passes through Monte del Duque, an extensive cork oak forest that’s one of the best-preserved woodlands in the area.
Part of the race proceeds go to Asociacion Botika, which provides socio-health assistance and therapies for people with neurodegenerative diseases.
360Complete Pack
CxM Villa de Casares 2026 Registration
RegistrationRegistration is through DorsalChip. Limited to 400 runners across all categories — Trail 21K, Hiking Route 14K, and Pequetrail. Ninth edition organized by Casares Town Council and Club Sierra Bermeja Trail.
Tips
- •Registration through DorsalChip
- •400 spots total across all three categories
- •Part of the proceeds go to Asociacion Botika charity
Where to stay in Casares
AccommodationCasares is a charming white village, but hotel options are limited. The nearby coast (Estepona, Manilva, Sabinillas) offers many more accommodation choices.
Tips
- •Casares village has rural houses and small charming accommodations
- •Estepona (30 min) has a wide range of coastal hotels
- •Manilva and Sabinillas (15 min) are closer and more affordable
- •Easter week: book early, it's peak season on the Costa del Sol
Recommended gear for the CxM Villa de Casares
GearTechnical mountain terrain through Sierra Crestellina: limestone ridges, pine forests, and cork oak groves. Concentrated elevation gain over 21K with steep climbs and slippery descents.
Tips
- •Trail shoes with good grip: limestone terrain and slippery sections
- •Hydration vest with at least 1L for the 21K
- •Poles optional but useful for managing the 1,094m D+
- •Light windbreaker: the ridge sections can be windy
Which shoes for CxM Villa de Casares?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for CxM Villa de Casares?
Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time
Best Trail Running Hydration Vests 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide
Best trail running hydration vests 2026: 12 vests and packs compared. How many litres you need by distance, soft flasks vs reservoir, and fit.
Strength Training Gear for Trail Running at Home 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide
Comparison of the best strength training gear for trail runners at home: dumbbells, resistance bands, kettlebell, TRX, weight bench and foam roller, with a 3-day-a-week routine.
Best GPS Watches with Offline Maps 2026: Value Comparison
The best GPS watches with offline maps in 2026, ranked by value: Amazfit T-Rex 3, Suunto Race 2, Garmin Forerunner 570, Instinct 3 AMOLED, Coros Apex 2 Pro, Suunto Vertical 2 and Garmin Fenix 8. Maps vs breadcrumbs, the cheapest watch with maps and which to choose for your use.
Nutrition for the CxM Villa de Casares
NutritionAid stations along the course, but carry extra supplements for the demanding 21K.
Tips
- •Carry extra gels or bars between aid stations
- •Have breakfast at least 2 hours before the start
- •The steep climbs demand good calorie planning
How to get to Casares
TransportCasares is on Malaga's western coast, inland between Estepona and Manilva.
Tips
- •Malaga airport (AGP) is 1h 30min via the AP-7
- •Gibraltar airport (GIB) is 45 min away
- •Estepona is 30 min by road
- •Mountain road with curves up to the village
Car rental in Malaga
Car RentalA car is essential to reach Casares, as public transport to the village is very limited.
Tips
- •Pick up the car at Malaga or Gibraltar airport
- •The road up to Casares village is a mountain road
- •Take the chance to explore the western Costa del Sol
Sports insurance for the CxM Villa de Casares
InsuranceCheck insurance requirements with the organization. FADMES-federated runners have sports coverage included.
Tips
- •FADMES-federated runners already have sports insurance
- •If not federated, check with the organization for options
Sun protection for the CxM Villa de Casares
Sun ProtectionIn April, UV radiation is already noticeable in Malaga. Ridge and summit sections have high exposure.
Tips
- •Apply sunscreen before the start
- •The Sierra Crestellina ridges are highly exposed
Body care for the CxM Villa de Casares
Body CareExtra protection for a technical race with concentrated elevation gain.
Tips
- •Sunglasses for the exposed ridge sections
- •Anti-chafe balm on friction zones, especially for the 21K
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the CxM Villa de Casares 2026?
- Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Casares (Malaga). It coincides with Easter week.
- What distances does the CxM Villa de Casares have?
- Two main distances: competitive Trail 21K (1,094m D+) and Hiking Route 14K. There's also a Pequetrail for younger runners.
- How many spots are available?
- 400 spots split across the three categories. Registration is through DorsalChip.
- How to get to Casares?
- Casares is on Malaga's western coast, 1h 30min from Malaga airport (AGP) and 45 minutes from Estepona via the AP-7. Gibraltar airport (GIB) is another nearby option.
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