Cabezarrubias del Puerto, Ciudad Real
Petaca Trail
Sunday, 28 March 2027estimated date
Trail Largo 25K
25km D+ 1200m
Trail Corto 14K
14km D+ 600m
Hiking Route 11K
11km D+ 250m
Your checklist for Petaca Trail
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
0 of 6 ready
Swipe to see all 7 categories
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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 for mixed terrain (rock, dirt, track)
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
25K: carry gels and bars for 3-5 hours of effort
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Maurten Gel 100
Hydrogel technology: excellent gastric tolerance
Downside: High price compared to other gels
Sun Protection
SPF 50 sunscreen on face, neck and arms
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
Vaseline on chafe-prone areas (feet, armpits, groin)
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)After Bite Xtra Gel
Immediate relief from processionary caterpillar irritation
Downside: Strong ammonia smell
Car Rental
The A-4 motorway connects Madrid with Puertollano directly
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.
Seasonal kit
Cold weather at Petaca Trail: pack the winter kit
Layers, gloves, neck gaiter and footwear for running in the cold, with short-race and ultra versions.
See the full kit : What to Wear for Cold-Weather Trail Running 2026: The Complete Layering KitRace data
Terrain
Mountain
Difficulty
Intermediate
Distance
3 modalities
Trail Largo 25K
Price: 20 EUR
- Distance
- 25 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 1200m
- Max Time
- -
Trail Corto 14K
Price: 15 EUR
- Distance
- 14 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 600m
- Max Time
- -
Hiking Route 11K
Price: 10 EUR
- Distance
- 11 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 250m
- Max Time
- -
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Largo 25K | 25 km | D+ 1200m | - | 20 EUR |
| Trail Corto 14K | 14 km | D+ 600m | - | 15 EUR |
| Hiking Route 11K | 11 km | D+ 250m | - | 10 EUR |
Will your watch battery last the ~6 h of Petaca Trail?Worked out for the longest course (25 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchGear up for Petaca Trail
Buying guides with the best value for money, picked for this kind of terrain.
Swipe to see all 4 comparisons
Best Neck Gaiter (Buff) for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
See comparison
Best Trail Running Headlamps 2026: 12 Models Compared
See comparison
Best GPS Watches with Offline Maps 2026: Value Comparison
See comparison
Best Trail Running Poles 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide
See comparison
Historical weather
What to wear at 10 °C: guide and kit →
Typical weather for the race date (10-year average)
Temperature
6°C – 18°C
Average 12°C
Rain
20%
1.7 mm avg
Wind
16 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
9h
daily average
Gear recommendations
Bring thermal layers (low of 6°C)
Buff
Buff Thermonet
Thermal tubular Buff with Primaloft technology. Traps body heat, ultralight and versatile: hat, neck gaiter, headband. Ideal for high mountain.
Craft
Craft Pro Hypervent LS Wind Top
Thermal top with a windproof ripstop panel on the chest and a highly ventilated soft jersey back. Built for high-intensity sessions in cold, windy conditions, with long cuffs and thumb loops.
HANKER
HANKER Thermal Neck Gaiter
Unisex thermal seamless neck gaiter in Soft Air Plus fabric (97% polyester). Seamless fit designed for trail running, cycling, motorcycling and outdoor sports. A budget alternative to Buff for moderate cold.
Icebreaker
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis LS Crewe
Long-sleeve thermal top in 100% merino wool (200g). Natural temperature regulation, genuine multi-day odor resistance and a soft, non-itch handfeel from the fine merino yarn.
Odlo
Odlo Active Warm Eco
Long-sleeve thermal base layer made from recycled fabric with anti-odour treatment. Active thermal regulation, ideal as a base layer in the mountains.
Odlo
Odlo I-Thermic Women's Longsleeve
Women's long-sleeve thermal top with insulating panels placed over cold-sensitive areas (lower back and kidneys). A mid-layer built for genuinely cold winter conditions, mountain outings or cross-country-style trail sessions.
ROCKBROS
ROCKBROS Thermal Windproof Balaclava
Thermal windproof balaclava covering head, ears, cheeks and neck. Designed for cycling and motorcycling, it works just as well on windy, freezing trail runs.
Salomon
Salomon Agile LS Tee
Lightweight quick-dry polyester long-sleeve tee with underarm mesh, a side pocket and reflective details. Works as a standalone layer in mild cold or as a base layer under a windbreaker on colder days.
Salomon
Salomon Cross Run Tight
Long trail tights with stretchy, breathable fabric. Adjustable waist, zipped back pocket. Protection from cold and vegetation.
Salomon
Salomon Cross Warm Glove
Thermal running gloves with a non-slip palm and touchscreen fingertips. Light, warm and compatible with poles.
Under Armour
Under Armour ColdGear Armour Compression Mock
Compression thermal top with a dual-layer fabric: ultra-warm brushed interior and quick-dry exterior. Second-skin compression fit with stretch mesh panels at the back and underarms for ventilation without losing warmth.
Under Armour
Under Armour ColdGear Armour Compression Mock (Men's)
Men's high-neck thermal compression top: brushed interior that holds heat and a quick-dry outer. Base layer for cold-weather runs.
Forecast for 28 March
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
Petaca Trail
Petaca Trail is a mountain race held in Cabezarrubias del Puerto (Ciudad Real, Spain), in the heart of the Valle de Alcudia. The 12th edition (2026) offers three options: Trail Largo 25K, Trail Corto 14K and Hiking Route 11K. The race also hosts the 9th Castilla-La Mancha Club Championship for Mountain Racing.
The course
The routes run through the Valle de Alcudia and Sierra Madrona Natural Park, one of the largest and best-preserved natural spaces in Castilla-La Mancha. The terrain combines mountain trails, forest tracks, river crossings and technical sections with loose rock. The Trail Largo, with its 25 km and 1,200 metres of elevation gain, crosses valleys, mountain passes and summits with panoramic views of the region.
Valle de Alcudia, nature at its purest
The Valle de Alcudia is a vast natural depression surrounded by mountain ranges, historically a transhumance route. Its holm oak pastures, grasslands and quartzite ridges create a unique landscape. Wildlife includes deer, wild boar, imperial eagles and black vultures. In spring, the valley turns green and temperatures are ideal for running. Read our best trail running shoes guide for advice on choosing footwear for mixed mountain terrain.
Cabezarrubias, a village with soul
Cabezarrubias del Puerto is a municipality of barely 400 inhabitants that, on Petaca Trail day, sees its population multiply several times over. Organised by Club de Atletismo y Senderismo La Petaca, the race is a celebration of sport and community that combines competition, tourism, gastronomy and solidarity. A race made from the heart, by and for the runner.
Use our pace calculator to plan your effort on the Trail Largo 25K, and discover more races in Castilla-La Mancha.
360Complete Pack
Petaca Trail 2026 Registration
Registration12th edition organised by Club de Atletismo y Senderismo La Petaca. Host of the 9th Castilla-La Mancha Club Championship for Mountain Racing.
Tips
- •Online registration at petacatrail.com
- •Discount for federated athletes
- •Trail Largo 25K, Trail Corto 14K and Hiking Route 11K
- •Limited spots: the previous edition gathered over 600 participants
Where to stay for Petaca Trail
AccommodationCabezarrubias del Puerto is a small village. Puertollano (30 min) offers more options.
Tips
- •Rural houses in Cabezarrubias and around the Valle de Alcudia
- •Puertollano (30 min): hotels and hostels with more availability
- •Ciudad Real city (1 hour): the widest range of options
- •March is low season: affordable prices
Gear for Petaca Trail
GearMountain terrain in the Valle de Alcudia. Trails, forest tracks and technical sections with loose rock.
Tips
- •Trail shoes with good grip for mixed terrain (rock, dirt, track)
- •Poles recommended for the 25K with 1,200m D+
- •Hydration vest: essential for the long distance
- •March in La Mancha: possible cold in the morning and warmth at midday
Which shoes for Petaca Trail?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for Petaca Trail?
Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time
Best Neck Gaiter (Buff) for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
Comparison of the best neck gaiters for trail running in 2026: Buff Original, Midweight, Windproof, DryFlx, CoolNet UV+, Thermonet, HANKER and Salomon Merino. Which to pick based on sun, wind, cold or budget.
Best Thermal Base Layer for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
The best thermal base layers for trail running in 2026: Odlo Active Warm Eco, Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis, Craft Pro Hypervent, Under Armour ColdGear, Salomon Agile LS Tee and Odlo I-Thermic. Which to pick based on cold, sweat management, merino wool, compression or built-in wind protection.
Best Trail Running Gaiters 2026: 3-Way Comparison
Comparing the 3 best trail running gaiters in 2026: Salomon Trail Gaiters High, Salomon Trail Gaiters Low and TRIWONDER waterproof gaiters. Which to pick by terrain and budget.
Nutrition for Petaca Trail
NutritionThe 25K demands nutritional planning due to cumulative elevation. The 14K is more manageable.
Tips
- •25K: carry gels and bars for 3-5 hours of effort
- •14K: 1-2 gels may be enough
- •Aid stations on course: check locations on the official website
- •Breakfast 2-3 hours before the start
How to get to Cabezarrubias del Puerto
TransportCabezarrubias del Puerto is in the south of Ciudad Real, in the Valle de Alcudia.
Tips
- •From Madrid: ~2h 30min via A-4 to Puertollano, then CR-424
- •From Ciudad Real: ~1 hour via N-420 and CR-424
- •From Córdoba: ~2 hours via A-4 and N-420
- •Parking arranged by the organisation in the village
Car rental for Petaca Trail
Car RentalCar strongly recommended to reach Cabezarrubias del Puerto.
Tips
- •The A-4 motorway connects Madrid with Puertollano directly
- •Local roads in good condition to Cabezarrubias
Sports insurance for Petaca Trail
InsuranceFederated mountain race. Federation licence or day insurance required.
Tips
- •FDMCM/FEDME licence or day insurance required
- •Castilla-La Mancha federation members get a registration discount
- •Nearest hospital in Puertollano (30 min)
Body care for Petaca Trail
Body CareMedium to long duration effort on mountain terrain. March weather can be unpredictable.
Tips
- •Vaseline on chafe-prone areas (feet, armpits, groin)
- •Technical anti-blister socks
- •March in the Valle de Alcudia: variable temperatures, protect your skin
Sun protection for trail in March
Sun ProtectionMarch in La Mancha can be sunny with moderate to high UV radiation.
Tips
- •SPF 50 sunscreen on face, neck and arms
- •Lip balm with SPF
- •Cap or visor for the midday hours
- •Even in March, prolonged mountain exposure can cause sunburn
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Petaca Trail 2026?
- The 12th edition takes place on Sunday, March 29, 2026 in Cabezarrubias del Puerto (Ciudad Real, Spain).
- What distances does Petaca Trail offer?
- Three options: Trail Largo 25K with 1,200m D+, Trail Corto 14K with 600m D+ and Hiking Route 11K with 250m D+.
- Where is Cabezarrubias del Puerto?
- Cabezarrubias del Puerto is a municipality in Ciudad Real, in the Valle de Alcudia. About 30 minutes from Puertollano and 1 hour from Ciudad Real city.
- Is it a federated race?
- Yes, Petaca Trail 2026 hosts the 9th Castilla-La Mancha Club Championship for Mountain Racing. Federated athletes get a registration discount.
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