Trail race calendar in Community of Madrid 2026
The Community of Madrid hosts Sierra de Guadarrama and its National Park. Gran Trail Peñalara and Madrona Trail are flagship races, directly accessible from the capital.
Calendar updated March 2026
View on map2026 calendar: every race by date
| Date | Race | Town | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Apr 2026 | Trail Mina de la Plata de Bustarviejo | Bustarviejo | 20K · 14K · 8K |
| 10 May 2026 | Cross de la Pedriza | Manzanares el Real | 25K · 18K · 12K · 5K |
| 31 May 2026 | Cross de Cuerda Larga | Miraflores de la Sierra | 26K |
| 7 Jun 2026 | Kilómetro Vertical de la Barranca | Navacerrada | 7.3K |
| 13 Jun 2026 | Backyard Ultra Aranjuez | Aranjuez, Madrid | 6.706K |
| 14 Jun 2026 | Madrid Alpine Marathon | Cercedilla | 44K · 19K |
| 27 Sept 2026 | Cross de Las Dehesas | Cercedilla | 29K · 15.2K |
| 9 Oct 2026 | Gran Trail de Peñalara | Navacerrada | 104K · 61K · 11K |
| 1 Nov 2026 | Cross de los 3 Refugios | Manzanares el Real | 24K · 18K |
Essential gear for trails in this area
The gear most used by runners in this region
Black Diamond
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
Ultralight carbon Z-pole foldable trekking poles. 137 g per pole in 110 cm length, 33 cm folded. EVA grip and adjustable strap. The trail running reference.
Hoka
Hoka Speedgoat 7
The best-selling trail shoe in the US and an absolute ultra-trail classic. Max Hoka cushioning, a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs for grip in mud and technical terrain, and a snug Matryx upper. Built to eat up kilometres without punishing your legs in long races.
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.
Altra
Altra Lone Peak 9
Trail running shoe with zero drop and wide FootShape toe box that allows natural toe splay. 25 mm stack with EGO foam for balanced cushioning without losing ground contact. MaxTrac outsole with 3.5 mm lugs, ideal for non-technical trails, forest tracks and long-distance paths.
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“Mountains at the capital's doorstep”
2.428 m
Peñalara, Madrid's summit
< 1 hora
From central Madrid
Abr – Nov
Main season
La Pedriza
Unique granite labyrinth
9
Races
5 – 104 km
Distance range
200 – 5,100 D+
Elevation range
Apr – Nov
Race months
Difficulty
Terrain
Sierra de Guadarrama, less than an hour from Madrid, is a granite massif reaching 2,428 meters at Peñalara. The trails combine Scots pine forests, ridgeline traverses with views of both Castiles, and the rock formations of La Pedriza, a granite labyrinth unique in the Peninsula. Cuerda Larga offers a spectacular ridge traverse, while the Fuenfría and Lozoya valleys allow more sheltered routes through pine and oak forests.
Key areas
Climate & best season
Cold winters with frequent snow on the peaks from December to March. Summers are hot at lower elevations, though above 1,800 meters temperatures become pleasant. Spring and autumn are ideal: the sierra's pine forests glow with golden light, temperatures are perfect for running and the trails are in great condition. Proximity to Madrid means trails can be crowded on weekends.
Trail culture
Madrid is, by population, Spain's largest breeding ground for trail runners. Sierra de Guadarrama serves as a natural gym for millions: every weekend thousands of runners head up to train at Navacerrada, La Pedriza or Puerto de Cotos. Gran Trail de Peñalara has established itself as the sierra's benchmark race, while Maratón Alpino Madrileño has been an institution for decades. The Madrid trail scene is vibrant, with clubs like Tierra Trágame, Todovertical and Trailxtrem organizing group training and social races every week.
Iconic races in the region
Race map
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Race calendar
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May2026
2
Cross de la Pedriza
Manzanares el Real · Community of Madrid
25 · 18 · 12 kmAdvanced
Cross de Cuerda Larga
Miraflores de la Sierra · Community of Madrid
26 kmAdvanced
Recommended gear · Best Overall
Coros Pace 3View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Compare with other options →June2026
3
Kilómetro Vertical de la Barranca
Navacerrada · Community of Madrid
7.3 kmAdvanced
Backyard Ultra Aranjuez
Aranjuez, Madrid · Community of Madrid
6.706 kmElite
Madrid Alpine Marathon
Cercedilla · Community of Madrid
44 · 19 kmAdvanced
Races
Photo: Only One Race / Backyard Ultra AranjuezBackyard Ultra Aranjuez
Aranjuez, Madrid
Backyard ultra in Aranjuez — 6.7 km loops with 200 m D+ along the Tagus river, Big's Backyard Ultra format
Cross de Cuerda Larga
Miraflores de la Sierra
Classic Sierra de Guadarrama traverse: 26 km and 1,500 m D+ along the Cuerda Larga ridge between Morcuera and Navacerrada, with summits above 2,000 m
Cross de la Pedriza
Manzanares el Real
Legendary race through La Pedriza: 25 km and 1,600 m D+ across the most spectacular granite landscape of the Sierra de Guadarrama, scoring for the Copa de Hierro
Cross de Las Dehesas
Cercedilla
Sierra de Guadarrama classic: 29 km and 1,900 m D+ through Siete Picos, Montón de Trigo and Guadarrama National Park summits
Cross de los 3 Refugios
Manzanares el Real
Legendary Sierra de Guadarrama traverse: 24 km and 1,700 m D+ from Manzanares el Real to Puerto de Navacerrada through La Pedriza and La Maliciosa
Gran Trail de Peñalara
Navacerrada
The full loop around the Sierra de Guadarrama: 104 km and 5,100 m D+ from Navacerrada
Kilómetro Vertical de la Barranca
Navacerrada
Classic Madrid vertical race: 7.3 km and 1,010 m D+ from the Barranca Valley to the Bola del Mundo summit (2,267 m)
Photo: Maratón Alpino MadrileñoMadrid Alpine Marathon
Cercedilla
44 km high-mountain race through Sierra de Guadarrama from Cercedilla, via Siete Picos, Bola del Mundo, and Peñalara
Trail Mina de la Plata de Bustarviejo
Bustarviejo
Trail running in Madrid's Sierra Norte: 3 distances through the historic silver mine trails of Bustarviejo
Gear up for the mountains
The right gear makes the difference on race day. Our comparison guides to choose well.
Swipe to see all 4 categories
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