The Hardest Ultra Trails in Spain 2026 — UTMB and Beyond
Elite-level races represent the pinnacle of trail running in Spain. These are events where every detail counts: distances that can exceed 100 km, accumulated elevation gains of 5,000 metres or more, alpine terrain with mountain passes requiring real experience, and cut-off times that show no mercy. Here the country's best mountain runners compete alongside top international participants. The logistics of these races are complex — drop bags at multiple points, sleep strategy, clothing changes, nutritional management over 24+ hours — and Pack 360 becomes an essential tool for leaving nothing to chance. If your goal is an elite race, preparation starts months before with a professional training plan, race simulations and an unbreakable mindset.
23
Races
4 – 185 km
Distance range
90 – 10.000 D+
Elevation range
Jan – Nov
Race months
Difficulty
Tips
Invest in a coach or professional training plan: at this level, details make the difference between finishing and dropping out.
Simulate the full race in training: similar course, complete gear, real nutrition and night-hour management.
Your support crew is key: coordinate aid points, nutrition and gear changes with them.
Work on the mental side: visualisation, pain management and techniques for overcoming crisis moments are as important as your legs.
Race map
Click a marker to see race details
Race calendar
Enero 2026
Febrero 2026
Abril 2026
Mayo 2026
Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls
Ciutadella de Menorca · Balearic Islands
Transvulcania
Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma · Canary Islands
Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
Caín de Valdeón, León · Castile and Leon
Spain Backyard Ultra
Castro Caldelas, Ourense · Galicia
Zegama-Aizkorri
Zegama · Basque Country
Junio 2026
Backyard Ultra Aranjuez
Aranjuez, Madrid · Community of Madrid
Backyard Ultra Montgrí
Torroella de Montgrí, Girona · Catalonia
GTPE Picos de Europa
Benia de Onís · Asturias
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
Barruera, Vall de Boí · Catalonia
Julio 2026
Agosto 2026
Septiembre 2026
Octubre 2026
23 races
UltraMediterrània
Alcoy, Alicante
162K / 90K / 55K / 25K / 16K / VRT 4K across the Mariola and Aitana mountain ranges from Alcoy
Photo: Club Corredores Africanus El Último León
Melilla
Backyard ultra in Melilla — 6.7 km loops through Fuerte de Rostrogordo pine forests, Silver Ticket
Featured Photo: Transgrancanaria Transgrancanaria
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
128K, 83K, 44K, and 30K crossing Gran Canaria from north to south
Featured Photo: Jordi de la Fuente Tenerife Bluetrail by UTMB
Puerto de la Cruz
110K, 73K, 47K and 24K crossing Tenerife from south to north via Mount Teide
Photo: Runática Penyagolosa Trails
Castellón de la Plana
106K and 60K from Castellón to the Penyagolosa summit via the GR-33
Photo: Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls
Ciutadella de Menorca
From 11K to 185K along the Camí de Cavalls — the full circumnavigation of Menorca on its most legendary coastal trail
Featured Photo: Transvulcania Transvulcania
Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma
73K, 43K, 25K, and VK crossing La Palma along the Ruta del Bastón
Photo: Desafío Ultra El Cainejo Desafío Ultra El Cainejo
Caín de Valdeón, León
52K, 35K and 19K through Picos de Europa from Caín de Valdeón — one of Spain's most technical trail races
Photo: Spain Backyard Ultra Spain Backyard Ultra
Castro Caldelas, Ourense
Spain's official backyard ultra — 6.7 km loops with 240 m D+ in Castro Caldelas, Ribeira Sacra
Featured Photo: Zegama-Aizkorri Zegama-Aizkorri
Zegama
42K and VK through the Aizkorri range — the most legendary skyrunning race in Spain
Photo: Only One Race / Backyard Ultra Aranjuez Backyard 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
Photo: Backyard Ultra Montgrí / Oncolliga Girona Backyard Ultra Montgrí
Torroella de Montgrí, Girona
Charity backyard ultra — 6.7 km loops with 90 m D+ in Torroella de Montgrí, night start
Featured GTPE Picos de Europa
Benia de Onís
5 distances (70K to 10K) through the western massif of Picos de Europa from Benia de Onís
Photo: Garmin Mountain Festival Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
Barruera, Vall de Boí
42K, 24K and 12K through Aigüestortes in the Catalan Pyrenees
Featured HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB
Vielha
163K, 110K, 75K, 55K, 32K and more through the Pyrenees of Val d'Aran — European Major UTMB World Series
Gran Trail Trangoworld Aneto-Posets
Benasque
From 5K to 105K between the Pyrenean rooftops: Aneto and Posets from the Benasque Valley
Photo: Haciendo Sed Burgos Backyard Haciendo Sed Burgos
Sedano, Burgos
Charity backyard ultra in Sedano (Burgos) — 6.7 km loops benefiting Autismo Burgos
Featured Photo: TrailRunning.ar / Fabián Luengo Canfranc-Canfranc
Canfranc-Estación
From 6K to 100K through the central Pyrenees from the iconic Canfranc International Station
Featured Photo: Ignacio Fernández Álvarez / Unsplash Travesera Picos de Europa
Potes
72K and 36K across the three massifs of Picos de Europa, one of the toughest ultras in Spain
Featured Photo: Damien Dufour / Unsplash Ultra Pirineu
Bagà
100K, 54K, and 30K along the Cadí Range in the Catalan Pyrenees
Gran Trail de Peñalara
Navacerrada
The full loop around the Sierra de Guadarrama: 104 km and 5,100 m D+ from Navacerrada
Photo: Sportograf / Mallorca by UTMB Mallorca by UTMB
Sóller, Mallorca
138K, 104K, 56K, and 26K through the Serra de Tramuntana — UTMB World Series in Mallorca
Costa Blanca Trails
Finestrat, Alicante
102K / 66K / 41K / 20K / 17K through the Aitana, Puig Campana and La Serrella ranges from Finestrat