5 Ultra Trail Races in Spain You Should Discover
Spain is one of Europe’s most exciting destinations for trail running and ultra trail racing.
From the mountains of Andalucía and the Sierra de Guadarrama to the Mediterranean ranges of Alicante and the spectacular valleys of Málaga, ultra trail races in Spain offer an extraordinary variety of terrain, landscapes and challenges.
For international runners, however, the Spanish ultra trail calendar can be surprisingly difficult to navigate. Beyond the biggest names in the sport, there are dozens of races offering spectacular courses, strong local identities and very different ways to experience Spain on foot.
And if you are searching specifically for a 100K ultra in Spain, there are plenty of options beyond the most famous international races.
So, whether you are looking for a 100 km trail in Spain, a 100-mile challenge, a mountainous ultra or simply a race that gives you a reason to discover somewhere new, these five Spanish ultra trail races deserve a place on your radar.
From the villages of the Alpujarra to the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia, here are five ultra trail races in Spain you should know.
1. Veinte Leguas Alpujarra – a 106 km ultra through the villages of Andalucía
Location: Pampaneira, Granada, Andalucía
Ultra distance: 106 km
Elevation gain: 5,255 m D+
Typical period: May
If you want to discover one of the most distinctive landscapes in southern Spain, Veinte Leguas Alpujarra is an excellent place to start.
Starting in Pampaneira, in the heart of the Alpujarra Granadina, the flagship XX Leguas covers 106 km with 5,255 metres of positive elevation gain.
But this is much more than simply a 100 km ultra.
The race connects 23 villages, following historic paths through the Alpujarra, including the Poqueira Valley, the medieval paths of the region, old irrigation channels, mountain passes and landscapes around the villages of the Sierra Nevada foothills.
The villages are an integral part of the experience.
Rather than spending the entire race in remote mountain terrain, runners repeatedly reconnect with the communities that have shaped the history and culture of the Alpujarra.
That gives Veinte Leguas a particularly strong sense of place.
For an international runner, it is also an opportunity to discover a very different side of Andalucía — far removed from the beaches and major tourist cities.
Why run Veinte Leguas Alpujarra?
- 106 km / 5,255 m D+
- A genuine 100K-class ultra trail in Spain
- 23 villages along the route
- Historic paths and mountain trails
- Spectacular Alpujarra landscapes
- Strong local and cultural identity
- A distinctive alternative to Spain’s major mountain ultras
If you are searching for a 100 km trail in Andalucía, Veinte Leguas offers an unusually rich combination of distance, elevation, history and scenery.
2. Madrid-Segovia 100K – 102 km from Madrid to the Roman Aqueduct
Location: Madrid → Segovia
Ultra distance: 102 km
Elevation gain: 2,140 m D+
Typical period: September
There are plenty of ways to travel from Madrid to Segovia.
Running 102 kilometres through the Spanish countryside is probably one of the most memorable.
The Madrid-Segovia 100K is a point-to-point ultra connecting the Spanish capital with the historic city of Segovia.
The 2026 XTREME course starts at Plaza de Castilla in Madrid at 05:00 and finishes beside the famous Roman Aqueduct in Segovia. The course covers 102 km with 2,140 metres of positive elevation gain and has an 18-hour time limit.
The route follows Vías Pecuarias and the Camino de Santiago, crossing the landscapes of the Sierra de Guadarrama and the Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares.
Along the way, runners encounter historic landmarks including the Castillo de los Mendoza in Manzanares El Real and the medieval Puente del Batán.
The terrain is also varied for a 100K: approximately 53% dirt tracks, 18% trails and 29% asphalt.
And then there is the finish.
After more than 100 kilometres, arriving beneath the Aqueduct of Segovia is a spectacular way to complete an ultra.
Why run Madrid-Segovia 100K?
- 102 km / 2,140 m D+
- A genuine 100K ultra in Spain
- Point-to-point from Madrid to Segovia
- Start in the Spanish capital
- Finish beside the Roman Aqueduct
- Camino de Santiago and historic livestock routes
- Guadarrama landscapes
- A particularly accessible destination for international runners
For anyone searching Google for a 100K trail in Spain or a 100 km ultra near Madrid, this race is an obvious one to investigate.
It combines a serious ultra-distance challenge with two of Spain’s most recognisable destinations.
3. Ultra Mediterrània – a 160 km TORX® eXperience ultra in Alicante
Location: Alcoi, Alicante, Valencia region
Ultra distance: 160 km
Elevation gain: 8,000 m D+
Typical period: January
If you are looking for a serious 100-mile ultra in Spain, the Ultra Mediterrània deserves your attention.
Based in Alcoi, Alicante, the flagship PRO race covers 160 km with 8,000 metres of positive elevation gain, with a 37-hour time limit. The 2027 edition is scheduled for 22 January.
Despite its Mediterranean location, this is emphatically not an easy coastal trail.
The route heads into the mountains around Alcoi, combining long climbs, technical terrain and a succession of demanding ascents and descents.
But there is another reason why international ultra runners should know about it.
Ultra Mediterrània is part of TORX® eXperience
Ultra Mediterrània is part of the TORX® eXperience, the international network of trail races connected to the TORX® family and the legendary TOR330 – Tor des Géants®.
That gives the race an international dimension well beyond its location in Alicante.
The 2027 event information announces two direct accesses to TOR330 – Tor des Géants® 2028 for finishers.
For experienced ultra runners, that makes the proposition particularly attractive:
160 km.
8,000 m D+.
37 hours.
And a potential pathway to Tor des Géants®.
The event also includes a 90 km / 4,400 m D+ race, as well as 50 km and shorter formats, so runners can experience the terrain without immediately committing to the full 160 km challenge.
Why run Ultra Mediterrània?
- 160 km / 8,000 m D+
- 100-mile-class mountain ultra
- Part of the TORX® eXperience network
- Direct access opportunities to TOR330 – Tor des Géants®
- Spectacular mountains around Alcoi
- Mediterranean winter conditions
- 90 km and shorter race options
For runners searching for a 100-mile race in Spain, Ultra Mediterrània is one of the most interesting options on the calendar.
And for anyone already dreaming about Tor des Géants®, it deserves particular attention.
4. Ultra Trail Gran Vuelta Valle del Genal – 130 km through the villages of Andalucía
Location: Valle del Genal, Málaga, Andalucía
Ultra distance: approximately 130 km
Elevation gain: approximately 6,300–6,500 m D+
Typical period: November
Andalucía appears twice on this list — but for very good reason.
The Gran Vuelta Valle del Genal offers an entirely different experience from Veinte Leguas Alpujarra.
Set in the Valle del Genal in Málaga province, the race is a spectacular long-distance journey through the mountains and villages of one of southern Spain’s most beautiful rural areas.
The current Ultra course is approximately 129–130 km, with around 6,300–6,500 metres of positive elevation gain and a 31-hour time limit. The 2026 edition starts and finishes in Parauta.
The race’s identity is closely connected to the villages of the Genal Valley.
Rather than simply crossing a mountain range from point A to point B, the route creates a huge circular journey through the landscape and communities of the valley.
The area is particularly spectacular in autumn, when the forests — including the famous chestnut forests of the Genal Valley — take on their characteristic seasonal colours.
That makes November an especially attractive time to discover this part of Andalucía.
The event also offers a shorter 53 km trail and a relay format, but the 130 km Ultra is the race that makes the event particularly interesting for experienced ultra runners.
Why run Gran Vuelta Valle del Genal?
- Approximately 130 km / 6,300+ m D+
- A genuine long-distance mountain ultra
- Villages throughout the Valle del Genal
- Spectacular Andalusian mountain landscapes
- Autumn colours and chestnut forests
- Strong local identity
- A less obvious international destination than the major Spanish ultras
For runners searching for an ultra trail in Málaga or Andalucía, Gran Vuelta Valle del Genal offers something particularly valuable:
the feeling of discovering a region rather than simply visiting a race venue.
5. Ultra de los Castillos – a night-time 100K through Extremadura
Location: La Parra, Badajoz, Extremadura
Ultra distance: 100 km
Elevation gain: approximately 2,150 m D+
Typical Period: October
Our final race takes us to Extremadura, a region that international trail runners may not immediately associate with ultra running.
That makes it all the more interesting.
The Ultra de los Castillos takes place in La Parra, Badajoz, with the 2026 edition scheduled for 30–31 October.
The flagship race covers 100 km with approximately 2,150 metres of positive elevation gain.
But the most distinctive aspect is the timing.
The 100 km race starts at 23:59, meaning runners head into the night almost immediately.
That changes the character of a 100K completely.
Navigation, fatigue, temperature and darkness become part of the challenge, while the route takes runners through the historic landscapes that give the event its name.
There are also shorter formats and a 100 km relay, making it possible for different types of runners to experience the event.
For runners who enjoy the psychological challenge of night running, this is a very different proposition from a conventional daytime mountain ultra.
And October is an attractive time to discover Extremadura, with its combination of rural landscapes, historic towns, castles and gastronomy.
Why run Ultra de los Castillos?
- 100 km ultra
- Approximately 2,150 m D+
- Night-time start
- Historic castles and Extremaduran landscapes
- 100 km relay option
- Shorter race formats
- A very different experience from Spain’s major mountain ultras
If you are searching for a 100K ultra in Spain that offers something genuinely different, Ultra de los Castillos is one to remember.
Looking for your next 100K or ultra trail in Spain?
Whether you are searching for a 100K ultra in Spain, a 100 km trail, a 100-mile challenge, a technical mountain race or simply an event that gives you a reason to discover somewhere new, the Spanish trail calendar has plenty to offer.
The difficult part is not finding races.
It is finding the right one for you.
At TrailRunAdvisor, we help trail runners discover races around the world through detailed race information and, most importantly, authentic reviews from runners who have actually experienced them.
Beyond distance & elevation
Because the numbers only tell you part of the story.
What is the atmosphere like?
How challenging is the course really?
How good is the organisation?
What do runners love — and what should you know before signing up?
That is where real runner reviews make the difference.
Explore 100K and ultra trail races in Spain and find your next adventure.
EXPLORE TRAIL RACESFive ultra trails, five different sides of Spain
Spain’s reputation as a trail-running destination is well deserved — but its ultra trail calendar goes far beyond the biggest international races.
These five races demonstrate just how varied the experience can be.
At Veinte Leguas Alpujarra, you can run through the historic villages and mountain paths of Andalucía.
Madrid-Segovia 100K, you can run from one iconic Spanish city to another and finish beneath the Segovia Aqueduct.
Ultra Mediterrània, you can take on a genuine 160 km / 100-mile mountain challenge, while also entering the TORX® eXperience network and potentially earning access to Tor des Géants®.
Gran Vuelta Valle del Genal, you can discover the mountains, forests and villages of Málaga on a 130 km journey through the Valle del Genal.
And at Ultra de los Castillos, you can spend the night running through the landscapes and heritage of Extremadura.
What they have in common is perhaps more important than what separates them.
They all offer the opportunity to discover a different Spain through trail running.
And that is one of the great attractions of running ultras abroad.
You are not simply travelling to a race.
You are travelling to a landscape, a region, a culture and a story.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some 100K and ultra trail races to run in Spain?
Spain has a wide variety of ultra trail races, ranging from 100 km events to demanding 100-mile mountain ultras. Five races worth discovering are Veinte Leguas Alpujarra, Madrid-Segovia 100K, Ultra Mediterrània, Gran Vuelta Valle del Genal and Ultra de los Castillos.
Is there a 100K trail race near Madrid?
Yes. The Madrid-Segovia 100K is a 102 km point-to-point ultra connecting Madrid with Segovia. The course includes around 2,140 metres of positive elevation gain and finishes beside the famous Roman Aqueduct of Segovia.
Is there a 100-mile ultra trail race in Spain?
Yes. Ultra Mediterrània, based in Alcoi, Alicante, offers a 160 km mountain race with approximately 8,000 metres of positive elevation gain. It is also part of the TORX® eXperience network.
Which ultra trail races in Spain are in Andalucía?
Two standout options are Veinte Leguas Alpujarra in Granada and Gran Vuelta Valle del Genal in Málaga. Both combine demanding ultra-distance racing with mountain scenery, traditional villages and a strong connection to local culture.
Are there any night-time 100K ultra races in Spain?
Yes. Ultra de los Castillos in Extremadura is a 100 km ultra that starts at 23:59. Runners spend much of the race at night, adding darkness, navigation, changing temperatures and fatigue to the challenge.
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