Photo: Runática (opens in a new tab) / Source (opens in a new tab)Castellón de la Plana
Penyagolosa Trails
Saturday, 24 April 2027
Race data
Terrain
Ultra Trail
Difficulty
Elite
Distance
2 modalities
CSP
- Distance
- 106 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 5600m
- Max Time
- 25h 30min
- ITRA
- 6 pts
MiM
- Distance
- 60 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 3300m
- Max Time
- 15h
- ITRA
- 4 pts
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | ITRA | Max Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSP | 106 km | D+ 5600m | 6 pts | 25h 30min | - |
| MiM | 60 km | D+ 3300m | 4 pts | 15h | - |
Will your watch battery last the ~26 h of Penyagolosa Trails?Worked out for the longest course (106 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchYour checklist for Penyagolosa Trails
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
0 of 6 ready
GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Polar Pacer Pro
Ultra-light: just 41 g
Downside: No multi-band GPS
Gear
Shoes with good grip for Mediterranean mountain terrain
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
Hoka Speedgoat 7
Max Hoka cushioning: protects your legs over long distances
Downside: High stack: less stable for those who want more ground feel
Nutrition
Aid stations on both events with liquids and solids
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
Gourmet Latino Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet Latino
100% natural, sin ingredientes artificiales
Downside: Sabor muy dulce, puede cansar en ingestas repetidas
Sun Protection
Reapply every 2 hours, even on cloudy days
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
ISDIN Fotoprotector Fusion Water SPF 50+
Ultralight texture, feels invisible on skin
Downside: Small format (50 ml), may run short on ultras
Body Care
Tape or patches on hot spots before the start
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
BSN Medical (Leukotape) Leukotape P Cinta Deportiva
Car Rental
Ideal for visiting the inland villages of the Maestrazgo
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
DRIVALIA Alquiler de vehículos por Suscripción 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.
Penyagolosa Trails requires mandatory gear: get it sorted early
Buying guides with the best value for money, picked for this kind of terrain.
Swipe to see all 4 comparisons
Historical weather
What to wear at 15 °C: guide and kit →
Typical weather for the race date (10-year average)
Temperature
10°C – 21°C
Average 15°C
Rain
13%
0.7 mm avg
Wind
17 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
11h
daily average
Gear recommendations
Sun protection essential (11h sunshine, up to 21°C)
Forecast for 24 April
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
Recorrido y perfil de elevación
Race plan
Segment-by-segment course analysis with estimated times. Enter your target time, pace, or select a level.
What's your target finish time?
Your average pace on flat terrain
| Km | Elevation | Gradient | Est. time | Arrival time | Difficulty |
|---|
Coming soon
Penyagolosa Trails
Penyagolosa Trails is one of the most historic and storied ultra trail races in Spain. Since 1999, every April over 2,100 runners gather in Castellón to face a unique challenge: connecting the Mediterranean coast with the summit of the Penyagolosa massif along the historic GR-33 trail, a route that pilgrims have walked for centuries.
With 27 editions under its belt, Penyagolosa Trails has become a cornerstone of Spanish ultra trail and the biggest sporting event of the year in the Levante region. Runners from 40 countries sign up to traverse a rugged, virtually untouched Mediterranean mountain landscape, dotted with medieval villages, farmhouses and monasteries.
The events
Penyagolosa Trails offers two events, both starting from Castellón and finishing at the Sanctuary of Sant Joan de Penyagolosa:
- CSP (Carrera Senderista Popular) — 106 km with 5,600m D+. The flagship race. Starts at midnight with a 25-hour 30-minute time limit. Only 600 spots. Qualifies for UTMB 100K and Western States.
- MiM (Mítica Montaña) — 60 km with 3,300m D+. Starts at 06:00 with a 15-hour time limit. 1,500 spots. Qualifies for UTMB 50K.
The course
Both events follow the GR-33 from sea level to the 1,280 metres of the Sanctuary of Sant Joan de Penyagolosa, crossing a succession of Mediterranean landscapes:
- Universitat Jaume I — Start from the athletics track, at sea level
- Borriol, Vilafamés, Les Useres — Inland villages of Castellón province
- Atzeneta, Benafigos, Culla — Heart of the Maestrazgo (CSP only)
- Xodos, Villahermosa del Río, Vistabella — High Mediterranean mountain
- Sant Joan de Penyagolosa — Finish at 1,280m, next to the medieval sanctuary
A course steeped in history
The GR-33 trail that runners follow is the same path pilgrims have walked since the Middle Ages during the “pilgrimages of Les Useres”, declared a Site of Cultural Interest. The race blends centuries-old tradition with elite sport along a route through one of the most sparsely populated and wild areas of the western Mediterranean. Read our ITRA points guide to understand UTMB qualification and how CSP and MiM fit in.
Combining race and tourism
Castellón offers much more than the race: Mediterranean beaches, Levantine cuisine, the Desert de les Palmes and the medieval villages of the Maestrazgo. April is a perfect time to enjoy both the coast and the hinterland of Castellón with pleasant temperatures.
Use our time estimator to set your goals for the CSP 106K, and review the mandatory gear guide to prepare. Explore more races in the Comunidad Valenciana.
Mandatory Gear
According to the official race regulations
Mandatory for CSP (midnight start)
Essential for the Penyagolosa summits
With enough battery for the entire race
Cup or soft flask mandatory at aid stations
360Complete Pack
Penyagolosa Trails 2026 Registration
RegistrationRegistration works via pre-registration and lottery when demand exceeds available spots.
Tips
- •CSP: 600 spots — MiM: 1,500 spots
- •Pre-registration with December closing and bib lottery
- •In 2026 there were 4,773 pre-registrations from 48 provinces and 40 countries
- •Medical certificate mandatory
- •CSP qualifies for UTMB 100K and Western States
Where to stay for Penyagolosa Trails
AccommodationThe start is in Castellón de la Plana, a city with a wide range of accommodation at all levels.
Tips
- •Castellón de la Plana (start) is the best base: hotels, hostels and apartments
- •Book well in advance, especially for race weekend
- •Vistabella del Maestrat and inland villages have charming rural houses
- •El Grao de Castellón (beach) is an alternative 5 km from the start
Gear for Penyagolosa Trails
GearMediterranean mountain with varied terrain: mountain trails, forests and technical sections. Semi-self-sufficiency race.
Tips
- •Shoes with good grip for Mediterranean mountain terrain
- •Headlamp mandatory for the CSP (midnight start)
- •Windbreaker essential for the Penyagolosa summits
- •Poles highly recommended for the CSP elevation
- •Semi-self-sufficiency: carry your own food between aid stations
Choosing trekking poles? Read our guide: Best trail running poles
See our complete buying guide: 5 foldable poles compared and tiered for trail running.
Which shoes for Penyagolosa Trails?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for Penyagolosa Trails?
Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time
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 Gloves 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
The best waterproof and winter trail running gloves in 2026: Salomon Cross Warm, Gore Wear C5 GORE-TEX, Salomon Bonatti Pro WP, Sealskinz Waterproof Lightweight, Gore Wear M GORE-TEX Thermo, Ronhill Windstopper, Salomon Fast Wing Winter, LEKI Ultra Trail Storm Shark and Icebreaker Oasis Liners. Which to pick based on cold, wind, rain and whether you run with poles.
Best Trail Running Headlamps 2026: 12 Models Compared
The 12 best headlamps for trail and ultra running in 2026: best value, best budget, 1000+ lumen picks (Petzl Swift RL, Nao RL, Fenix HM65R-T) and models with a rear light. Choose by the hours of darkness in your race.
Nutrition plan for Penyagolosa Trails
NutritionThe CSP lasts up to 25 hours and the MiM up to 15 hours. Nutrition management is critical.
Tips
- •Aid stations on both events with liquids and solids
- •Semi-self-sufficiency: carry your own gels, bars and electrolytes
- •Heat in the early kilometres (coastal area) increases hydration needs
- •The overnight CSP: plan what to eat during the cold hours
Best salt tablets and sodium capsules for running 2026
A comparison of the 7 best salt tablets and sodium capsules for running and trail 2026: 226ERS Sub9 Salts, Crown Pro Salt Caps, Victory Endurance, Precision Hydration PH 1500 and more. How many salt tablets to take per hour, how to calculate your sweat rate and which format to choose.
Best ultra trail gels and nutrition 2026
A comparison of the best gels, bars, electrolytes and natural alternatives for ultra trail nutrition in 2026: Maurten, GU, SiS, 226ERS, Precision Hydration, Medjool dates and more. How many carbs per hour you need and how to split them.
Real food for ultras 2026: the best natural alternatives to gels
The best natural alternatives to gels for ultra trail 2026: Medjool dates, dried apricots, quince paste, honey sticks, banana chips and guava bars. How many carbs each delivers, how to combine them with Maurten, GU or SiS gels and when to swap sweet for real food.
How to get to Castellón
TransportCastellón de la Plana has good road and rail connections, and is one hour from Valencia airport.
Tips
- •Valencia Airport (VLC) 75 km away, with domestic and international connections
- •AVE high-speed rail and commuter trains from Valencia, Barcelona and Madrid
- •AP-7 motorway from Valencia (1h) and Barcelona (3h)
- •The organisation arranges transport from the finish back to Castellón
Car rental in Castellón
Car RentalA car is useful for exploring inland Castellón and the Penyagolosa area before or after the race.
Tips
- •Ideal for visiting the inland villages of the Maestrazgo
- •The road to Penyagolosa is a mountain road but in good condition
Sports insurance for Penyagolosa Trails
InsuranceMountain race passing through high Mediterranean mountain areas. Insurance mandatory.
Tips
- •Civil liability insurance mandatory
- •Medical certificate required for both distances
- •For international runners: travel insurance with sports coverage
- •The organisation includes basic accident insurance during the race
Sun protection for Penyagolosa Trails
Sun ProtectionIn April, UV radiation in the Mediterranean mountains is moderate to high, especially above 1,000m. The course from sea level to the 1,813m Penyagolosa summit exposes runners for many hours.
Tips
- •Reapply every 2 hours, even on cloudy days
- •The overnight CSP requires sun protection at dawn, with hours of exposed summit running still ahead
Best Sunscreen for Runners 2026: 7 Sweat-Proof SPF 50 Picks
Which sunscreen survives a sweaty long run? We compared 7 SPF 50 sweat-proof picks — creams, sticks and a lip balm — on heat, altitude UV and sweat resistance. See the winner.
Body care for Penyagolosa Trails
Body CareFeet and skin face hours of sweat and friction. A blister and anti-chafe kit prevents the silliest DNF.
Tips
- •Tape or patches on hot spots before the start
- •Blister plasters in the vest from the first kilometre
The Best Trail Running Books in 2026
9 essential trail running and ultra trail books, from Kilian Jornet's memoirs to the classic Born to Run and the most recommended training manuals — most published only in Spanish, with a guide to what to read depending on the kind of runner you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Penyagolosa Trails 2026?
- April 18, 2026. The CSP starts at midnight (00:00) and the MiM at 06:00, both from the Universitat Jaume I in Castellón.
- What distances does Penyagolosa Trails offer?
- Two events: CSP 106K (5,600m D+, 25h30 time limit, 600 spots) and MiM 60K (3,300m D+, 15h time limit, 1,500 spots).
- Is it a qualifier for UTMB or Western States?
- Yes. The CSP qualifies for UTMB 100K and Western States Endurance Run 2026. The MiM qualifies for UTMB 50K.
- How does registration work?
- Registration opens via pre-registration. If demand exceeds spots, a lottery is held. In 2026 there were 4,773 pre-registrations from 48 provinces and 40 countries.
- Where are the start and finish?
- The start is at the athletics track of Universitat Jaume I (Castellón, sea level). The finish is at the Sanctuary of Sant Joan de Penyagolosa, at 1,280 metres elevation.
- What's the weather like during the race?
- In April temperatures in Castellón are around 15-20°C. At Penyagolosa summit (1,813m) they can drop to 5°C with wind. Thermal layers and a windbreaker are essential.
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