Trail Valle de Tena

Trail Valle de Tena: the Garmo Negro ultra that calls itself “8K”

Trail Valle de Tena is one of the most distinctive high-mountain races in the Huesca Pyrenees. Starting and finishing at Plaza de la Iglesia in Panticosa, its flagship course covers 80 kilometers and 6,820 meters of elevation gain, weaving between mountain lakes and passes above 2,500 m before cresting the race’s high point: Garmo Negro (3,064 m).

Here’s the twist: that 80 km course is officially called “8K.” It’s not a typo — it’s the race’s historic brand name. The flagship distance has grown in length and elevation gain edition after edition while keeping its original name. The same goes for the “4K” (42.5 km), “2K” (20 km), “1K” (11 km), and “0.5K” (5.5 km). Worth knowing before you register: the category number identifies the race, not the kilometers you’ll actually run.

Five distances between mountain lakes and high passes

Trail Valle de Tena offers a course for every level:

• 8K (80 km, 6,820 m D+) — the flagship race, starting Saturday at 5:00 AM with a 25-hour cutoff. It passes Ibón de Brazato, Collado de Bachimaña, Respomuso, and Sallent de Gállego before returning to Panticosa.
• 4K (42.5 km, 3,510 m D+) — a mountain marathon starting from the Balneario de Panticosa spa, with a 14-hour cutoff.
• 2K (20 km, 1,230 m D+) — a sky-running format, with over 50% of the route above 1,600 m, climbing to Punta dera Facera (2,288 m).
• 1K (11 km, 620 m D+) — the entry-level distance for mountain trail running, starting Sunday.
• 0.5K (5.5 km, 273 m D+) — the most approachable course, perfect for a first taste of the valley.

The 8K also has a relay format, letting teams tackle the same 80 km course together.

Real high mountain: passes above 2,500 m

The mandatory gear list isn’t a formality: the 8K and 4K courses spend much of their distance above 2,000 m, crossing several passes over 2,500 m. Organizers require a waterproof jacket with hood, a survival blanket, a headlamp (two units on the 8K), and food reserves marked with your bib number, among other items. Check the mandatory gear checklist before packing.

Panticosa and the Valle de Tena beyond the race

Panticosa is, beyond being the start town, a historic thermal spa village in the Aragonese Pyrenees. Race weekend is a good excuse to extend your stay: Sallent de Gállego, Formigal, and the Balneario de Panticosa spa are all minutes away, offering hiking, mountain cuisine, and thermal waters to soothe your legs after the 8K. If Trail Valle de Tena is one of several races on your calendar, plan your season with our race planner.