Nocturna Fredes-Pauls 2027: date, start time and route

Plan your race pace

The Fredes-Paüls night trek returns on June 19, 2027, covering 44.5 kilometres along the GR7, with a scheduled start at 6 p.m. The organisers describe it as a non-competitive endurance hiking traverse, not a race for places or times. The route crosses the mountainous Els Ports area and finishes in Paüls, in Tarragona.

The distance and start time make this a long-duration challenge: much of the route takes place at night, and the published elevation gain is 1,630 metres. Some listings round the distance to 45 kilometres, but the technical route figure is 44.5. The available information does not yet include the 2027 entry fee or other practical details.

A trek, not a competitive race

The word race often appears in event calendars and search results, but the organisers present this event as a non-competitive hiking traverse. That distinction matters: the aim is not to chase a time or a placing, but to complete a demanding route on foot while following the rules and conditions set for the event.

The name links Fredes and Paüls along a mountain route following the GR7. The official route information available lists a distance of 44.5 kilometres and 1,630 metres of ascent. Although the distance is close to that of a marathon, the comparison only goes so far: mountain terrain, elevation gain and night-time hours fundamentally change the pace and demands compared with a road event.

The 2027 listing identifies Paüls as the reference town and confirms the date as June 19. The start is scheduled for 6 p.m., so the trek begins in the late afternoon and continues into the night. No finish time is currently available; for an event of this kind, total time depends on each participant’s pace and route conditions.

Date, start time and confirmed details

The next edition is scheduled for Saturday, June 19, 2027. The published start time is 6 p.m. These details establish the event in the calendar, but they do not amount to a complete participant guide. Bus timetables, bib collection, checkpoints and services must be checked against the official information once it is published.

It is also important to distinguish a confirmed date from the status of registration. The reference information gives no fees, entry limits, opening date or refund and transfer conditions. As a result, there is no reliable price to report, and it is not possible to say that registration is open. Previous editions and third-party listings cannot establish the terms for 2027.

The technical description gives a positive elevation gain of 1,630 metres, while the exact route distance is 44.5 kilometres. Some listings summarise it as 45 kilometres, a reasonable rounding for a short event listing but not precise enough for detailed planning. The reference for route preparation will be the official GPX track and event rules, once the organisers publish or confirm them.

The GR7 and the landscape of Els Ports

The GR7 provides the backbone for this classic traverse through the Port mountains. Rather than a series of loops or an urban circuit, it is a point-to-point hike between Fredes and Paüls. That layout affects logistics: the start and finish are in different places, so participants should follow the organisers’ instructions on transport and collection arrangements.

The Els Ports setting gives the distance its context. The route crosses mountainous terrain, with climbs and descents that make a steady pace difficult to maintain. The available details do not describe every section or confirm the predominant surface across the entire route. They do establish its character as a mountain route along the GR7, not a road race.

One named point is the Font Ferrera refuge, at about 1,200 metres above sea level, where the first aid station is located according to the available event information. This helps illustrate the scale of the route, but it is no substitute for an updated map: locations, opening times and services at each point should be checked in the official 2027 documentation. On a long trek, an aid station is part of the logistics, not a guarantee that every individual need will be met.

What it means to cover 44.5 kilometres at night

Walking for dozens of kilometres already requires careful effort management; doing so at night adds another layer of focus. Darkness narrows the field of vision, changes the perception of distance and makes it essential to read the terrain carefully. On a mountain trail, fatigue can make a stone, a root or a change in gradient demand more concentration than it would during daylight. Check the personal lighting equipment and gear required by the rules before setting off.

A 6 p.m. start means the trek begins in daylight but continues through the night. Astronomical conditions and the weather can affect visibility; the date alone is not enough to assume a full moon or a particular level of illumination. The organisers published information about light and sunrise and sunset times for a previous edition, but those figures should not automatically be carried over to 2027.

Distance alone cannot predict how long the route will take. The 1,630 metres of elevation gain, terrain, breaks and walking pace all affect the finish time. There is no universal arrival estimate that applies to everyone. The organisers need to publish the cut-off times, checkpoints and safety rules; until then, any personal calculation is only an estimate, not an official schedule.

Registration, fees and the 2027 rules

The available information does not specify the entry fee, when registration will open or how many places will be available. It also gives no details of mandatory equipment, required documents or bib-transfer arrangements. The organisers are the most reliable source for these points, since conditions can change between editions and event-calendar listings are not always updated at the same time.

Previous editions have included sections on rules, route, bib collection, timetables, buses and fees on the organisers’ website. That structure shows which details are useful for planning, but it does not confirm that the same prices or schedules will apply again. Before entering, check the specific 2027 regulations, especially night-time requirements, checkpoints and arrangements for reaching the start or leaving the finish.

It is also worth treating figures on third-party sites with care. A previous year’s fee may have changed; a provisional date may not be final, and a listing that rounds the course to 45 kilometres may omit the technical figure of 44.5. Here, the date and start time are confirmed in the supplied information, but the price and registration status are not. Those gaps should not be filled with guesses.

Preparation and logistics for a long trek

A trek of this length calls for preparation based on the time spent moving, not just the kilometre count. Experience walking in the mountains, familiarity with elevation changes and the ability to sustain an effort are more useful measures than comparing the route with an urban race. Training, if included, should be gradual and suited to each person’s fitness; a generic plan should not be treated as individual guidance.

Pacing matters especially when a walk lasts for hours. Starting too fast can take its toll on the climbs or during the second half, when darkness and fatigue build. It is also sensible to study the official elevation profile when available and see where the main ascents lie. Without the final GPX track, the distribution of climbing cannot be described precisely and a specific pacing strategy cannot be recommended.

Equipment should match the rules and the conditions on the day. In general, a night-time mountain activity calls for attention to lighting, footwear, suitable clothing and the ability to manage between support points; only the organisers can say which items are mandatory for this edition. Weather can also change the experience, so check an updated forecast before travelling rather than assuming June guarantees a mild, stable night.

A mountain event that calls for respect

The Fredes-Paüls traverse combines a substantial distance, significant elevation gain and a night-time section on the GR7. It is not a speed race or a short route to improvise: the format calls for attention to the terrain and the organisers’ instructions. Its non-competitive character, meanwhile, puts the emphasis on completing the route safely rather than holding a pace dictated by a leaderboard.

June 19, 2027, with a scheduled 6 p.m. start, are the key details already announced. The listed route covers 44.5 kilometres and 1,630 metres of ascent, with Paüls as the reference town and Font Ferrera refuge identified as the first aid station. The remaining details — registration, fee, final rules, transport and route information — need official confirmation.

For an event that runs through the night, being well informed is part of the preparation. Reviewing the rules once published, respecting cut-off times and carrying the required equipment help set realistic expectations. The GR7 presents an endurance and mountain-navigation challenge: a trek for people who understand that sometimes the terrain, not the stopwatch, sets the pace.