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El Valle Trail
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Murcia

El Valle Trail

Saturday, 13 March 2027estimated date

Mandatory kit for El Valle Trail: official list and what to buyWhat the organisers require and the gear you actually need. Nothing you do not.

Your checklist for El Valle Trail

What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.

0 of 8 ready

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Swipe to see all 9 categories

  1. GPS watch

    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)

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
  2. Gear

    Shoes with good grip for technical mountain trails

    Nike Ultrafly

    ZoomX foam: exceptional energy return inherited from the Vaporfly

    Downside: High price (190 EUR)

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
  3. Nutrition

    The Extreme can take up to 5 hours — plan gels every 30-45 minutes

    Maurten Gel 100

    Hydrogel technology: excellent gastric tolerance

    Downside: High price compared to other gels

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
  4. Sun Protection

    Sweat-resistant sunscreen is essential

    ISDIN Fusion Water Sunscreen SPF 50+

    Ultralight texture, feels invisible on skin

    Downside: Small format (50 ml), may run short on ultras

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
  5. Body Care

    Apply anti-chafe balm, especially for the Extreme

    Buff CoolNet UV+

    UPF 50+: blocks 98% of UV radiation

    Downside: UV protection decreases with wear after many washes

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
  6. Car Rental

    The start is a 10-minute drive from Murcia city centre

  7. Mandatory

    Charged mobile phone

    Fully charged with emergency number saved

    Generic Running Waist Pack with Phone Pocket

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
  8. Mandatory

    Reusable cup

    Minimum 200ml for aid stations

    Salomon Soft Flask 250 ml

    High-flow valve: quick sips without hard biting

    Downside: Pricier than generic Amazon flasks

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
  9. 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 El Valle 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 Kit

Mandatory Gear

According to the official race regulations

  • Charged mobile phone

    Fully charged with emergency number saved

  • Reusable cup

    Minimum 200ml for aid stations

Items tagged “Mandatory” are in the checklist above, with a recommended product.

Race data

Terrain

Mountain

Difficulty

Intermediate

Distance

2 modalities

Visit official website(opens in a new tab)
  • Extreme

    Price: 45 EUR

    Distance
    26 km
    Elevation Gain
    D+ 1600m
    Max Time
    5h
  • Sprint

    Price: 40 EUR

    Distance
    18 km
    Elevation Gain
    D+ 1000m
    Max Time
    -
Will your watch battery last the ~7 h of El Valle Trail?Worked out for the longest course (26 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch

El Valle Trail 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

9°C – 22°C

Rain

23%

Wind

16 km/h

Sunshine hours

9h

Gear recommendations

Bring thermal layers (low of 9°C)

Buff Thermonet

Buff

Buff Thermonet

Thermal tubular Buff with Primaloft technology. Traps body heat, ultralight and versatile: hat, neck gaiter, headband. Ideal for high mountain.

View on Amazon →
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Craft Pro Hypervent LS Wind Top

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.

View on Amazon →
(opens in a new tab)
HANKER Thermal Neck Gaiter

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.

View on Amazon →
(opens in a new tab)
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis LS Crewe

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.

View on Amazon →
(opens in a new tab)
Odlo Active Warm Eco

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.

View on Amazon →
(opens in a new tab)
Odlo I-Thermic Women's Longsleeve

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.

View on Amazon →
(opens in a new tab)
ROCKBROS Thermal Windproof Balaclava

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.

View on Amazon →
(opens in a new tab)
Salomon Agile LS Tee

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.

View on Amazon →
(opens in a new tab)
Salomon Cross Run Tight

Salomon

Salomon Cross Run Tight

Long trail tights with stretchy, breathable fabric. Adjustable waist, zipped back pocket. Protection from cold and vegetation.

View on Amazon →
(opens in a new tab)
Salomon Cross Warm Glove

Salomon

Salomon Cross Warm Glove

Thermal running gloves with a non-slip palm and touchscreen fingertips. Light, warm and compatible with poles.

View on Amazon →
(opens in a new tab)
Under Armour ColdGear Armour Compression Mock

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.

View on Amazon →
(opens in a new tab)
Under Armour ColdGear Armour Compression Mock (Men's)

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.

View on Amazon →
(opens in a new tab)

Sun protection essential (9h sunshine, up to 22°C)

El Valle Trail

El Valle Trail is one of Murcia’s classic trail running races, now in its 17th edition. Organized from El Limonar International School (ELIS), the race traverses the Regional Park of El Valle and Carrascoy, a protected natural area at the gates of the Murcia capital.

The Course

Both distances share the essence of the park: mountain trails through pines, esparto grass, and rosemary, with views over the Murcia huerta (orchards) and the Mediterranean from the summits.

  • Extreme (26K) — 1,600m elevation gain. A demanding route crossing Castillo del Portazgo, Castillo de la Asomada, and Pico del Relojero. Starts at 8:00 AM.
  • Sprint (18K) — 1,000m elevation gain. Tough but accessible for those new to mountain trail running. Climbs Pico del Relojero via Cerro de Las Columnas and descends through Mirador de las Navetas. Starts at 9:00 AM.

Terrain and Difficulty

The Regional Park of El Valle and Carrascoy is a mid-mountain range with peaks between 500 and 1,000 meters. The terrain combines technical rocky trails, forest tracks, and ridge sections with panoramic views. The climbs are steep and sustained, especially on the Extreme distance.

March Weather in Murcia

March in Murcia feels like early spring. Temperatures range from 8 to 20°C, with cool mornings and warm middays. The sun is strong on exposed sections, so sun protection is essential. Rain is uncommon but possible.

Murcia and the El Valle Regional Park

The Regional Park of El Valle and Carrascoy is Murcia’s green lung. Just 10 minutes from the city center, it offers a network of trails ideal for year-round trail running. The city of Murcia, with its baroque cathedral, local gastronomy (marinera, pastel de carne, paparajotes), and vibrant university atmosphere, makes the perfect complement to a trail running weekend.

Use our pace calculator to plan your effort on the Extreme distance, and check our gear checklist to prepare for the technical terrain. Discover more races in Murcia.

360Complete Pack

El Valle Trail 2026 Registration

Registration

17th edition of this Murcia classic organized by ELIS school. Registration open on Alcanza Tu Meta until March 9.

Browse all registration

Tips

  • •Federated price: €42 (Extreme) / €37 (Sprint). Non-federated: €45 / €40
  • •Optional cancellation insurance for €5
  • •Registration closes Monday, March 9 at 23:59
  • •Extreme starts at 8:00 AM, Sprint at 9:00 AM

Where to Stay in Murcia

Accommodation

Murcia city offers a wide range of accommodation, from downtown hotels to tourist apartments. The start is in La Alberca, 10 minutes from the center.

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Tips

  • •Downtown Murcia has the best selection of hotels and restaurants
  • •La Alberca and Santo Ángel are the closest districts to the start
  • •March is low season — good availability and prices
  • •If flying in, San Javier airport is 45 minutes away

Recommended Gear for El Valle Trail

Gear

Mountain trail race through the Regional Park. Technical terrain with steep climbs and ridge sections. Mediterranean climate but changeable in March.

Browse all gear

Tips

  • •Shoes with good grip for technical mountain trails
  • •The Extreme has 1,600m elevation gain — poles can help on the climbs
  • •Bring a lightweight rain jacket in case the weather changes
  • •Carry enough water: minimum 1L for the Extreme
Nike Ultrafly

Which shoes for El Valle Trail?

Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather

→
Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED 45 mm

Which GPS watch for El Valle Trail?

Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time

→
🛒

Best Value Trail and Mountain GPS Watches 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide

The best value trail and mountain GPS watches in 2026: Coros, Amazfit, Garmin and Suunto. Which have cheap offline maps and which to buy for your budget.

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🛒

Best GPS watches for beginner runners 2026

The best entry-level GPS watches to start running in 2026: Garmin Forerunner 165, Coros Pace 3, Polar Pacer Pro and Amazfit Cheetah Pro compared.

→
🧥

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.

→

Nutrition for El Valle Trail

Nutrition

Aid stations on both distances with drinks and food. Supplement with your own nutrition.

Browse all nutrition

Tips

  • •The Extreme can take up to 5 hours — plan gels every 30-45 minutes
  • •Bring your own gels or bars as backup between aid stations
  • •Hydrate well the night before and at breakfast

How to Get to Murcia

Transport

Murcia is well connected by highway and has a nearby airport. The start is at ELIS school, in the La Alberca district.

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Tips

  • •From Alicante: 1h via the A-7
  • •From Madrid: 4h via the A-30
  • •From Valencia: 2h 30min via the A-7
  • •Murcia-San Javier airport is 45 min from the start
  • •Parking available at ELIS school

Car Rental in Murcia

Car Rental

If arriving by plane or train, a car makes it easy to reach the start in La Alberca and explore the region.

Browse all car rental

Tips

  • •The start is a 10-minute drive from Murcia city centre
  • •Take the chance to visit Sierra Espuña or the Murcia coast

Sports Insurance for El Valle Trail

Insurance

Sports insurance is required. Federated athletes are covered by their license.

Browse all insurance

Tips

  • •Non-federated runners need to arrange sports insurance
  • •Day insurance can be purchased during registration
  • •Cancellation insurance available for €5 when registering

Body Care for El Valle Trail

Body Care

March in Murcia is mild but the sun can be strong on exposed ridge sections.

Browse all body care

Tips

  • •Apply anti-chafe balm, especially for the Extreme
  • •A lightweight buff protects from sun and wind on the ridges

Sun Protection for El Valle Trail

Sun Protection

Murcia has high solar radiation even in March. Much of the course runs through exposed areas.

Browse all sun protection

Tips

  • •Sweat-resistant sunscreen is essential
  • •Protect your lips with SPF balm
  • •Wear a cap or visor for shadeless ridge sections

Frequently Asked Questions

When is El Valle Trail 2026?
El Valle Trail 2026 takes place on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The Extreme starts at 8:00 AM and the Sprint at 9:00 AM.
What distances does El Valle Trail offer?
Two main trail distances: Extreme 26K with 1,600m elevation gain and Sprint 18K with 1,000m elevation gain. There are also kids' races.
Where is the start/finish of El Valle Trail?
The start and finish are at ELIS Montevida school (El Limonar International School), in the La Alberca district of Murcia.
Is a federation license required?
Not mandatory, but federated athletes get a discount (€42 Extreme, €37 Sprint). Non-federated runners pay €45 and €40 respectively.

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