Canillo Trail Races 2026: routes, dates, and registration

The Canillo Trail 2026 has a confirmed date: August 22 and 23. Four routes spread over two days, four combined formats with only 100 spots each, ITRA and UTMB points, and the Incles Valley as the setting. If you plan to run or accompany someone, here's everything you need to organize your weekend without surprises: distances, schedules, registration, and the best things to do in Canillo and Soldeu before and after the race.

What is the Canillo Trail Races

The Canillo Trail Races (CTR) is a multi-stage trail running event held annually at the end of August in the parish of Canillo, the largest territory in the Principality of Andorra. The race takes place over two days with four different routes that can be completed individually or combined into a single two-stage bib.

What distinguishes the CTR from the rest of the Andorran calendar is the terrain: Saturday plunges you into the heart of the Vall d'Incles —one of the most pristine glacial valleys in the Pyrenees— with climbs to Cabana Sorda and Pas de les Vaques, aid stations in the village of Soldeu itself, and the return to Canillo via the spectacular Camí del Gall de Bosc. On Sunday, the landscape changes completely: starting from Plaça Carlemany in Canillo with an ascent towards Riba Escorxada, El Forn, and Cap de Rep, offering panoramic views of all the country's valleys.

The 2026 edition introduces a significant novelty compared to previous years: the 16.5K of Incles Valley, more accessible in terms of elevation gain, which opens the CTR to intermediate-level runners and, in its combined formats, counts towards UTMB — a significant incentive for those building their points record.

Dates and program 2026

The dates for the Canillo Trail Races 2026 are confirmed:

This year there's a logistical novelty: bib collection is moved forward to Thursday and Friday at the Palau de Gel de Canillo, with extended hours. Those coming from afar can collect their bib on Friday at their leisure and arrive on Saturday with a clear head. On Saturday, there's an express window at Plaça de la Iglesia in El Tarter from 7:30 AM, designed for those arriving directly at the start.

The 4 routes of 2026

Saturday, August 22 — 1st Stage

Saturday offers two options with very different profiles. The starting point is different for each.

Half 24K — Saturday

The route: Start from Sant Pere Church in El Tarter with a thrilling climb towards Cabana Sorda and its lake. Descent to the impressive Incles Valley and first aid station. Second climb to Pas de les Vaques passing through Siscaró and its lakes, with spectacular views over the north face of Andorra. Descent to Soldeu —second aid station in the village— and return to Canillo via the 7 km of the Camí del Gall de Bosc, the most photogenic section of the entire race.

Aid stations: Incles Valley → Soldeu Village → Canillo Finish

Trail 16.5K — Saturday

The route: The 16.5K Trail is the most important new feature of the 2026 edition and the most accessible option on Saturday. The start is directly from the heart of Vall d'Incles — that's a gift in itself. The route follows the valley, enjoying every meter of the trail, descends to the village of Soldeu with a refreshment point, and returns to Canillo via the 7.5 km Camí del Gall de Bosc. With only 600 m of positive elevation gain, it's ideal for intermediate runners or those looking to complete a two-day combined event without pushing their limits on Saturday.

Aid stations: Incles → Soldeu → Finish

Sunday, August 23 — Stage 2

Sunday changes the scenery completely. Start and finish at Plaça Carlemany in Canillo, with an ascent towards the peaks that dominate the valley on the west side.

Mitja 25K — Sunday

The route: Completely different from the previous day's. From Plaça Carlemany, it ascends towards Riba Escorxada, el Forn and el Cap de Rep, with panoramic views covering all the valleys of Andorra. The loop passes through Maians twice —start and end of the most demanding section— and crosses the Soldeu Golf sector before descending back to Canillo. It is the most complete route of the event in terms of panoramic views.

Aid stations: Maians → Soldeu-Golf Sector → Maians → Finish

15K Trail — Sunday

The route:Same start and philosophy as the 25K but with an adjusted route. It climbs via Riba Escorxada and reaches El Forn with the same visual spectacle, but the route closes before the complete loop. With 1,500 m of elevation gain over 15 km, it's not an easy race — it's dense and demanding per kilometer.

Aid stations: Maians → El Forn

The 4 combined: 2-stage formats

The most interesting proposal of the CTR are the 2-stage combined events: a single bib for Saturday and Sunday, with a combined classification and scoring options for international circuits.

Only 100 spots per combined modality.It's not marketing — it's the actual capacity of each format. If you're sure you want to run two days, sign up as soon as possible.

The combined events with the stage of 16.5K score for UTMB (20K category), which makes them a very attractive option for runners who are building their points history for the UTMB World Series circuit selection processes. The combined events with the stage of 24K score for ITRA.

Registration and spots

Registration is managed through misports.cat, the official CTR platform. There are three access modalities:

• Saturday Races — independent registration for the 24K or 16.5K
• Sunday Races — independent registration for the 25K or 15K
• Combined 2-stage events — joint registration for any of the 4 formats (100 spots per modality)

Included services are: medical service, insurance, and on-route aid stations. There is also a bus option on Saturday from Canillo to the starting points (separate registration form).

Once the 100 spots for each combined event are filled, there is no waiting list. In previous editions, the most sought-after spots sold out weeks before the event.

Bib collection

The organization has extended the collection points and times for 2026, which offers much more flexibility:

Thursday, August 20 Palau de Gel de Canillo — from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Friday, August 21 Palau de Gel de Canillo — from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Saturday, August 22 (express collection) El Tarter, Plaça de la Iglesia — from 7:30 AM

The recommendation is clear: collect your bib on Thursday or Friday. The express window on Saturday is for logistical emergencies, not for a relaxed collection process.

The landscapes you will traverse

The CTR routes are, in practice, a three-dimensional map of the parish of Canillo. Each section has a different character.

• El Vall d'Incles is the protagonist on Saturday for both distances. It is the best-preserved valley in Canillo: alpine meadows, the Incles river flowing strongly in August, semi-wild livestock, and not a single construction breaking the landscape from the moment you leave the car park. The 16.5K Trail starts directly from here — and that's already a head start.

• La Cabana Sorda and its lakes are the highest and most demanding point of the 24K Half. The climb from El Tarter is the true test of that race: tough, direct, and rewarded with a panorama that justifies every meter of elevation gain.
• Siscaró and the Pas de les Vaques offer something few travelers see: the north face of Andorra, a territory of ridges, scree slopes, and a silence broken only by the wind and chamois.

• El Camí del Gall de Bosc is the Saturday finish for both distances. Seven or seven and a half kilometers descending from Soldeu to Canillo along a forest track among pines. In winter, it's the eponymous Grandvalira slope; in August, it's one of those descents that reconcile you with trail running when your legs are starting to feel it.

Sunday is completely different. Riba Escorxada, el Forn, and Cap de Rep are peaks that Canillo residents see every day from their homes and that visitors don't usually reach. From above, the country's seven valleys can be seen simultaneously. The 25K and 15K runners on Sunday have that privilege.

Where to stay in Canillo and Soldeu

If there's one thing we learn edition after edition, it's that CTR logistics are greatly simplified if you stay in Soldeu or in Canillo.

On Saturday, the 24K starts in El Tarter and the 16.5K in the Incles Valley — both just a few minutes by car or on the organization's bus from Soldeu. On Sunday, start and finish are in Plaça Carlemany in Canillo, a 10-minute drive away. Staying in the area means waking up without rushing, having a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, and arriving fresh at the start.

Soldeu, at an altitude of 1,710 meters, has a varied hotel offer: from large 4 and 5-star complexes with spa and restaurant to smaller apartments with kitchens, perfect for groups of runners. For the Canillo Trail, the most practical option is to look for accommodation with breakfast included —race morning is not the time to improvise—, and with half board or full board if you want to dine without moving too much the night before.

What to do in Canillo beyond the race

Canillo has enough to fill the entire weekend, whether you're running or accompanying someone.

The Tibetan Bridge and the Roc del Quer Viewpoint

The Pont Tibetà de Canillo is one of the most striking mountain suspension bridges in the Pyrenees, just a few minutes' walk from the town center. It connects with the Mirador del Roc del Quer, a natural balcony with views of the Canillo valley that rivals any point on the race routes in terms of spectacularity. It's the perfect activity for companions on Saturday or Sunday afternoon, when the race is over and legs are craving something gentler.

You can book access to the Tibetan Bridge and the Roc del Quer Viewpoint through our Experiences section, separately or in a single pack (which is the option we recommend to make the most of your visit).

Incles Valley: the same landscape, without a stopwatch

The same Incles Valley that Saturday's runners traverse during the race can be walked at a leisurely pace and without demanding effort. The route along the valley floor is one of Andorra's most accessible: gentle slopes, a well-marked path, and one of the country's best-preserved natural environments. Perfect for Friday before the race, or for Sunday afternoon with medals on.

If you want more hiking options in Andorra, don't miss our Guide to the best summer excursions.

Caldea: recovery also deserves a setting

Many runners have a fixed tradition: on Sunday after the awards ceremony, a direct route to Caldea, about a 20-minute drive south, in Escaldes-Engordany.

Europe's largest thermal spa center, with thermal waters at 36 °C, jacuzzis, ice zones, and views of the Andorran mountains, is the most rewarding culmination you can give to two days of high-mountain effort.

Gastronomy: how to refuel

The race ends, but the weekend doesn't. Canillo and Soldeu have more than enough resources to eat well before and after running.

On Saturday afternoon, after arriving in Canillo, the atmosphere in the town center is like any well-organized popular race: runners with bibs still on their chests, tired legs, and a big appetite. The bars in the square are the natural meeting point.

In Soldeu, hotel restaurants are the most convenient option for Saturday dinner — no travel, with menus designed for athletes and schedules adapted to the dynamics of mountain races. If you want to venture out of the hotel, look for an Andorran borda: stone and wood restaurants serving escudella, trinxat, grilled meat, and local cured meats. These are exactly the kind of dishes the body craves after 2,000 meters of elevation gain.

For more ideas on where to eat in the area and the rest of Andorra, check out our gastronomy guide.

Visual summary of the CTR 2026 routes

Organize your Canillo Trail weekend

The race is already on the calendar: August 22 and 23, 2026. All that's left is to organize the rest. If you want to have your accommodation sorted, activities for companions, and a plan for before or after the race, at Andorra.com you have it all in one place.

Frequently asked questions

Anna
Article written and updated by the local team at Andorra.com