Etxebarri Xtreme

Etxebarri Xtreme

Etxebarri Xtreme is one of the fixed dates on Bizkaia’s winter trail running calendar. Held in the municipality of Etxebarri, a stone’s throw from Bilbao, the race started as a local event and has grown into a December classic that combines mountain running, village atmosphere, and distances for every level: Trail 30K, Trail 10K, a non-competitive Martxa and Canicross. Start and finish share the same spot in the town square, making logistics easy for both runners and supporters.

A course with up to 1,494 m of elevation gain

The Trail 30K is the flagship race, with about 1,494 meters of elevation gain spread across 30 kilometers of hills around Etxebarri and Greater Bilbao, mixing technical trail and forest track. For those looking for a more approachable challenge, the Trail 10K offers 418 m D+ on a shorter course that’s still demanding on the climbs. Both routes share much of the natural surroundings of the town, with views over the Ibaizabal valley.

A December date with limited entries

The organization caps entries by distance — 150 for the 30K, 250 for the 10K and 100 for the Canicross — so registration fills up weeks before race day, especially for the Trail 30K. As a December race, the cold and typical humidity of a Basque winter are part of the challenge: bring technical warm layers and expect the possibility of mud on the hillside sections.

Etxebarri and Greater Bilbao beyond the race

Etxebarri is part of the Greater Bilbao metropolitan area, with Metro Bilbao connecting the town to the capital in about 20 minutes. Use the trip to explore Bilbao — the Guggenheim Museum, the Casco Viejo old town, the estuary — or to discover other nearby peaks. Looking for more options in the area? Check out other races in the Basque Country or add the Etxebarri Xtreme to your calendar with the season planner.

Canicross: run with your dog

This race includes a canicross event. If you’re running it with your dog, you need a pulling harness (never a walking one), a belt with leg loops and a bungee line. The full kit by dog type, how to measure your dog and how to protect it from heat and rock are in our canicross gear guide.