Trail Loja - Abades Stone Race 2026
Recommended gear
A very demanding mountain race on karst terrain with 4,038 m of elevation gain in just 35 km. The terrain is technical and rocky with steep climbs and descents.
Trail shoes, hydration vests, trekking poles, waterproof jackets and the rest of the gear you need. Every recommendation is tailored to the race's specific terrain: high-altitude scree in Sierra Nevada calls for very different shoes than a forest trail in the Basque Country.
Recommended products
Salomon
Race pickSalomon Speedcross 6
Salomon's most versatile trail shoe, ideal for technical terrain and mud. Exceptional grip with Contagrip sole and EnergyCell+ cushioning.
Strengths
- + Agarre excepcional en barro y terreno técnico
- + Protección de puntera reforzada
- + Sistema Quicklace cómodo y rápido
- + Drenaje de agua eficiente
Watch out for
- − Durabilidad media en asfalto
- − Horma algo estrecha para pies anchos
Black Diamond
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
Ultralight carbon Z-pole foldable trekking poles. 137 g per pole in 110 cm length, 33 cm folded. EVA grip and adjustable strap. The trail running reference.
Strengths
- + High-quality carbon, ultralight (137 g per pole in 110 cm)
- + Compact 33 cm folded length: fits any ultra pack
- + Lightning-fast Z-pole deployment in a single move
- + Non-slip EVA grip even with sweaty hands
Watch out for
- − Fixed sizes, not adjustable
- − Carbon = more fragile than aluminum in hard falls
Altra
Altra Lone Peak 9
Trail running shoe with zero drop and wide FootShape toe box that allows natural toe splay. 25 mm stack with EGO foam for balanced cushioning without losing ground contact. MaxTrac outsole with 3.5 mm lugs, ideal for non-technical trails, forest tracks and long-distance paths.
Strengths
- + Zero drop (0 mm): natural foot posture with no heel elevation
- + Wide FootShape toe box: toes splay freely with every stride
- + 25 mm cushioning: enough protection without isolating from the terrain
- + Lightweight (315 g men's, 263 g women's)
- + Breathable seamless mesh upper
Watch out for
- − 3.5 mm lugs insufficient for deep mud or wet rock
- − Not suitable for very technical terrain or skyrunning
- − Requires adaptation period if coming from high-drop shoes
Specific tips for Trail Loja - Abades Stone Race
- • Shoes with excellent grip for rocky, technical terrain
- • Poles highly recommended given the massive elevation gain
- • Hydration pack with at least 1.5L capacity
- • Breathable technical clothing for April in southern Spain
Similar races
Calamorro Skyrace
Benalmádena
30K skyrace with 2,200m D+ through the mountains of Benalmadena (Malaga)
La Osera
Paterna del Madera, Albacete
6th La Osera — 45K / 25K / 12K through the Sierra del Segura and Sierra de Alcaraz in Paterna del Madera, Albacete
CxM 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