Ultra Trail Gran Vuelta al Valle del Genal

Ultra Trail Gran Vuelta al Valle del Genal

The Ultra Trail Gran Vuelta al Valle del Genal (UTGVVG) is one of the toughest races on the Andalusian ultra-distance calendar. Its course crosses 15 municipalities in the Serranía de Ronda, inland from Málaga, linking white villages, centuries-old chestnut groves, and cork oak forests along historic paths that for centuries connected these isolated communities.

The 2026 edition has its main start on November 14 in Parauta, while the Trail Genal 53K starts on November 7 from Benalauría.

Three levels of demand

• 167K 100 Miler — The flagship distance: 167 km and 7,500m of elevation gain, with a 40-hour time limit. It repeats the Ultra’s route with an additional initial loop through Salitre, 7 Pilas, and El Colmenar.
• Ultra 129K — 129 km and 6,300m D+, with a 31-hour time limit. The event’s reference race.
• Trail Genal 53K — 53 km and 3,000m D+, with a 12-hour time limit. The most accessible entry point, though still a tough mountain race.

A course through chestnut groves and white villages

The UTGVVG route combines technical mountain trails, forest tracks through cork oak groves, and cobbled stretches through the heart of villages like Igualeja, Júzcar, and Pujerra. Trail shoes with good grip are essential for the sierra’s mixed terrain, as is a quality headlamp for the long overnight hours required by both the Ultra and the 100 Miler.

The Serranía de Ronda beyond the race

The Valle del Genal is one of Andalusia’s least crowded regions, with chestnut-grove landscapes that turn spectacular autumn colors in November. Villages like Ronda, with its iconic bridge over the Tajo gorge, or Júzcar, known as “the smurf village,” are worth a calm visit before or after the effort. Plan your full stay in the region with our race planner.

Registration

Given the demands of the long distances, the organization recommends proven prior ultra-distance experience for the Ultra 129K and the 167K 100 Miler. Spots are limited and a waitlist is common, so register as early as possible on dorsalchip.es.