Photo: Jl FilpoC (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0) (opens in a new tab)Nogueira de Ramuín
Trail Ribeira Sacra
Sunday, 10 October 2027estimated date
Ultra 48K
48km D+ 3450m
Your checklist for Trail Ribeira Sacra
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
0 of 8 ready
Swipe to see all 9 categories
Swipe to see all 9 categories
GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Garmin Forerunner 570
Full-color topo maps, a first for the Forerunner line
Downside: Shorter battery life than a Forerunner 965 with maps on
Gear
Aggressive-lug shoes: wet leaves, schist rock and mud
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
Aim for 60-90 g of carbs per hour on a race this long
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 on face and neck even under cloud cover
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
Anti-chafe on feet, groin and armpits before starting
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
Easy-to-apply stick format, even with sweaty hands
Downside: Higher price than traditional petroleum jelly
Car Rental
Pick up the car at Ourense high-speed station
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)DRIVALIA CarCloud Country Plus
Mandatory
Waterproof jacket
October in the Ribeira Sacra: high chance of rain and fog in the canyons.
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Gore Wear R7 GTX Shakedry
Mandatory
Water reserve
Aid stations are spaced out and there are long climbs on sun-facing slopes.
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)MARLOAR Soft Flask 500 ml (Pack of 2)
Two units for the price of one branded flask
Downside: Silicone is heavier and tastes slightly more than branded TPU flasks
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
Rain and mud at Trail Ribeira Sacra: pack this kit
Grippy shoes, rain jacket, gaiters and blister protection for a wet race.
See the full kit : Rain and Mud Trail Running Kit 2026: What to Bring to a Wet RaceMandatory Gear
According to the official race regulations
Waterproof jacket
October in the Ribeira Sacra: high chance of rain and fog in the canyons.
Water reserve
Aid stations are spaced out and there are long climbs on sun-facing slopes.
Items tagged “Mandatory” are in the checklist above, with a recommended product.
Race data
Terrain
Ultra Trail
Difficulty
Elite
Distance
1 modalities
Ultra 48K
- Distance
- 48 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 3450m
- Max Time
- 11h
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra 48K | 48 km | D+ 3450m | 11h |
Will your watch battery last the ~12 h of Trail Ribeira Sacra?Worked out for the longest course (48 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchTrail Ribeira Sacra 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
17%
2.3 mm avg
Wind
14 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
10h
daily average
Gear recommendations
Bring thermal layers (low of 10°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.
Sun protection essential (10h sunshine, up to 21°C)
Forecast for 10 October
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
Trail Ribeira Sacra
Trail Ribeira Sacra is the great ultra of inland Galician mountain running. It starts in Luíntra, capital of the Nogueira de Ramuín municipality (Ourense), and traces a 48-kilometre route with 3,450 metres of positive elevation through the Sil canyons, where the river has carved gorges over 400 metres deep and the slopes are farmed in heroic vineyard terraces. The 2026 edition is the tenth.
A 48-kilometre course
The route links descents to the river and brutal climbs back up to the canyon rim, over and over. You run on riverside paths, tracks between vines, stone hamlets and Atlantic woodland of chestnut and oak. The footing is demanding: wet schist, leaf litter, roots and the odd flight of stone steps. With more than 70 metres of climbing per kilometre and an 11-hour cut-off, it is a race only for runners with long-distance mileage in their legs.
The Ribeira Sacra, wine and monasteries
The Ribeira Sacra holds the highest density of rural monasteries in Europe and a viticulture the Romans already practised on these impossible slopes. The terraced landscape above the Sil is a candidate for World Heritage status. The race is an unbeatable way to understand why these wines are called “heroic”.
October in the Sil canyons
In mid-October, the Ribeira Sacra wakes with fog in the canyon floor that usually lifts by mid-morning. Temperatures are mild (8-18 °C) but the chance of rain is high and the ground is slow to dry. A waterproof jacket and grippy shoes are non-negotiable. See more races in Galicia and plan your weekend with the planner.
360Complete Pack
Trail Ribeira Sacra 2026 registration
RegistrationTenth edition of one of Galicia's benchmark ultras. Limited places, bib with full aid-station support and a runner's bag.
Tips
- •Online registration at Sportmaniacs; no race-day bibs
- •You need a valid mountain federation licence or one-day insurance
- •Bib collection on Saturday afternoon in Luíntra
Where to stay for Trail Ribeira Sacra
AccommodationThe Ribeira Sacra has a solid network of rural houses and small boutique hotels; Ourense city is the urban alternative.
Tips
- •Rural houses in Nogueira de Ramuín, Parada de Sil and Luíntra
- •Ourense city, 30 minutes away, for more capacity and urban hot springs
- •October is grape-harvest season: book weeks ahead
Gear for Trail Ribeira Sacra
Gear48 km and 3,450 m D+ on damp riverside paths, vineyard terraces and Atlantic woodland. Galician October: rain likely and slippery ground.
Tips
- •Aggressive-lug shoes: wet leaves, schist rock and mud
- •A real waterproof jacket, not a windbreaker: it can rain all morning
- •Poles strongly recommended for the climbs up from the river
Which shoes for Trail Ribeira Sacra?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for Trail Ribeira Sacra?
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 Trail Ribeira Sacra
NutritionBetween 6 and 11 hours of racing. Solid aid stations on course, but you need to be self-sufficient between them.
Tips
- •Aim for 60-90 g of carbs per hour on a race this long
- •Carry real food (bar, fruit) for the sections between aid stations
- •Electrolytes: high humidity masks how much you are sweating
How to get to Luíntra
TransportLuíntra is in the Nogueira de Ramuín municipality, northeast of Ourense, on the edge of the Sil canyons.
Tips
- •From Ourense: 30 min via the OU-536 and OU-0508
- •High-speed train to Ourense (1h30 from Madrid, 40 min from Santiago), then car or taxi to Luíntra
- •Airports: Santiago (SCQ) and Vigo (VGO), just over 1 hour away
Car rental for the Ribeira Sacra
Car RentalA car is essential: the Ribeira Sacra is a scattered territory with no useful public transport on race day.
Tips
- •Pick up the car at Ourense high-speed station
- •Make the most of it with the Sil canyon catamaran and the monasteries
Sports insurance for Trail Ribeira Sacra
InsuranceA mountain ultra with sections far from any road. Insurance is mandatory to take part.
Tips
- •Valid FGM/FEDME licence or one-day insurance is mandatory
- •Registration includes race accident insurance
- •Rescue cover strongly recommended in hard-to-reach areas
Body care for Trail Ribeira Sacra
Body Care48 km with lots of technical descent and constant humidity: blisters and chafing are the main risk.
Tips
- •Anti-chafe on feet, groin and armpits before starting
- •Spare technical socks in the drop bag if there is one
- •Compression socks for recovery afterwards
Sun protection for Trail Ribeira Sacra
Sun ProtectionEven in Galician October, the climbs up the sun-facing side of the canyon expose you to the midday sun.
Tips
- •SPF 50 on face and neck even under cloud cover
- •The river's reflection intensifies radiation on the south-facing slopes
- •SPF lip balm for the wind in the gorge
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Trail Ribeira Sacra 2026?
- Trail Ribeira Sacra 2026 takes place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, starting at 08:00 from the main square in Luíntra (Nogueira de Ramuín, Ourense). It is the tenth edition.
- What distance and elevation does it have?
- A single 48 km distance with 3,450 m of positive elevation. The cut-off time to finish is 11 hours from the start.
- Where does the course run?
- Through the Sil canyons, in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra: heroic vineyards on terraces above the river, riverside paths, stone hamlets and viewpoints over the gorge. There are technical sections and a lot of back-to-back climbing.
- Where do you register?
- Registration is handled through the Sportmaniacs platform. Places are limited and usually sell out before the deadline.
- How do I get to Luíntra?
- Luíntra is the capital of the Nogueira de Ramuín municipality, about 25 km from Ourense city via the OU-536 and OU-0508. Ourense has a high-speed rail station on the Madrid-Galicia line.
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