Canarian winter training: Tenerife Bluetrail 2026 – first news
“Tenerife Bluetrail 2026″ was the phrase that first sparked my motivation this winter. As I laced up my shoes under the mild sun of the Canary Islands, I knew this race wasn’t just another ultramarathon. It’s a pilgrimage — a volcanic trail through fire and wind — that starts in your mind long before the starting line. I’ve run trails across continents, but there’s something about training for Tenerife Bluetrail 2026 that demands both respect and obsession.
Why Tenerife in winter makes sense
Coming from mainland Europe, escaping to Tenerife each winter has become my secret weapon. While most runners struggle with freezing temperatures and muddy paths, here we glide through pine forests and lava flows under a winter sun that feels like spring. This year, however, Tenerife Bluetrail 2026 changed everything. It turned my usual warm-weather training escape into a mission with a defined goal — being ready to cross the finish line above the clouds.
Unlike summer editions of other races, Tenerife Bluetrail offers a unique calendar position. With a race date typically in early summer, winter becomes the perfect phase for base-building. You aren’t racing yet, but every session matters. And this year, I’ve sensed it: the energy is different, because 2026 will be special.
First news from the organizers
Although the official registration hasn’t opened yet, rumors are already circulating. The route will likely remain faithful to the format introduced in 2024, with minor tweaks to improve runner safety and reduce environmental impact. One key point discussed among local clubs is the probable introduction of a new checkpoint at the transition between Aguamansa and El Portillo — something that could slightly shift pacing strategies.
Still, the soul of the Tenerife Bluetrail 2026 remains untouched: a crossing of the island from sea to summit, culminating near Mount Teide at over 3,500 meters of elevation. That alone makes it Europe’s highest race — and possibly the most spiritual.
From my talks with volunteers and trail builders over coffee in La Orotava, I’ve learned that this year’s event might also include an experimental section with night-start options for elites. That would change everything in terms of sleep, strategy, and nutrition.
The early miles of preparation
My current training log tells a story of patience. Since November, I’ve been accumulating elevation gain slowly but steadily, trying to replicate the punishing gradients of the course. Tenerife’s terrain is deceiving: gentle-looking paths turn savage within minutes, and altitude plays a major role. That’s why I’ve structured my weeks with double sessions on Saturdays — one at dawn, one at dusk — to test my endurance across temperature swings.
Every stride I take in Anaga or near Vilaflor is anchored in one thought: Tenerife Bluetrail 2026 is not just a physical challenge. It’s a conversation between your lungs and the thin air, between your legs and the rocks, between your mind and the silence.
Community and commitment
This year, the trail running community on the island has grown tighter. There’s talk of forming unofficial pace groups. WhatsApp chats are already buzzing with nutrition ideas, gear reviews, and strategy sessions. I joined one such group last month and was surprised by the generosity of local runners offering to guide visiting athletes along technical sections. This is what makes the Bluetrail different — it’s a race, yes, but it’s also a celebration of shared suffering.
Also, the island government seems more invested this time. Funding for sustainability and trail conservation is expected to increase, and media coverage is expanding. I’ve even heard that Tenerife Bluetrail 2026 might be livestreamed — a first for the event — with drone coverage across key zones like La Fortaleza.
Planning around Teide
No matter how much you train, the high-altitude section around Teide National Park is the true gatekeeper of this race. During my last visit in January, I attempted a simulation loop starting at El Portillo and finishing near Pico Viejo. Despite near-perfect weather, the altitude humbled me. That’s when it clicked: I had underestimated this beast.
So I’ve changed my approach. From March to May, I’ll add hypoxic intervals and longer hikes with weight to simulate pack fatigue. My mantra now is “arrive strong, not broken” — and that applies not just to the body but also the mindset. You don’t attack Teide. You dance with it.
Gear adaptations for the island
Training for Tenerife Bluetrail 2026 also means adapting gear to extreme contrasts. I’ve learned that you start the race near sea level in a tropical breeze, but finish it in a barren lunar landscape where temperatures can drop below zero. This year I’m testing a hybrid layering system that includes ultra-light wind protection and trail-specific compression sleeves to handle technical descents.
The shoes are also crucial. Most runners assume maximal cushioning is the answer, but the volcanic terrain demands precision and grip. I’ve finally settled on a pair that offers both, but I’ll keep testing right until taper week.
Nutrition and heat management
Another lesson learned is how much the Canary sun drains you — even in winter. In past editions, aid stations saved my race, so I’ve been practicing with similar fluids and calorie formats. Electrolyte rotation is my newest obsession, especially for that stretch between Vilaflor and Parador, where hydration mistakes can ruin a perfect race plan.
Luckily, the local supermarkets are stocked year-round with natural fuel: bananas, papayas, gofio bars. For a week in December, I switched entirely to “island fuel” just to see how it impacted performance. To my surprise, recovery times dropped significantly. That experiment may find its way into my full race-day nutrition strategy.
Mental strategies and expectations
Above all, this race gets into your head. The long hours between checkpoints, the sheer scale of the climbs, the silence — they all force you inward. That’s why I’ve added daily meditation to my preparation. Ten minutes each morning where I visualize the key moments of the race: the first climb from Playa Fañabé, the technical descent to El Reventón, the loneliness near La Rambleta.
This isn’t romanticism. It’s rehearsal.
Every mental repetition is a layer of armor I’ll wear on race day. Because I know that during Tenerife Bluetrail 2026, there will be a moment — maybe at kilometer 62, maybe at 87 — when I’ll need to remember who I am, and why I’m there.
Final thoughts: still early, but never too early
We’re still months away from bib numbers and final course maps. Yet the race has already begun — in our lungs, in our calendars, and in our shared anticipation. My advice to those considering it? Don’t wait. Start now. Book your flights, map your weekends, build your base.
Because Tenerife Bluetrail 2026 isn’t just a race to train for. It’s a story you write slowly — with your feet, your doubts, your early mornings, and your unwavering drive to summit.
See you at the start line. Or better yet, at the top.
