Puntallana’s Cabra Trail moves to October 31

Plan your race pace

The mountain race in Puntallana will take place on October 31, 2026, after organizers postponed its originally scheduled date. The updated event retains the appeal of a race across mountain paths and forest tracks in northeastern La Palma, with three main routes and a vertical challenge included in the sporting program.

The postponement announcement also changed the registration calendar: the stated window runs from October 6 to 20. Earlier event listings gave October 3 as race day and September 20 as the registration deadline, so those dates should be distinguished from the later update that sets the race for the final day of October.

An edition shaped by a date change

The 15th edition of the Cabra Trail comes with one detail that affects all planning: the race has moved to Saturday, October 31. Some event calendars still list October 3, the date initially shown for the race, but the postponement notice provided by the organizers identifies the new date and opens registration from October 6 through 20.

The difference between the two calendars matters to anyone arranging travel, booking accommodation or preparing for a mountain race. The most recent information provided places the event on October 31; earlier references, meanwhile, describe the program and routes from the original schedule. The date change should therefore be read alongside the published program, not as evidence that all logistical details have been issued again.

The event is organized by the Puntallana Town Council, with the annex of the municipal offices listed as the start and finish location. That site anchors the activity in the town and gives runners and spectators a reference point. The available details do not specify a start time, entry fees or possible schedule changes connected with the postponement.

Distances for different mountain-running profiles

The main program includes three distances: 10, 21 and 40 kilometers. They are not simply interchangeable versions of one route, but challenges with different demands, particularly in terms of the published elevation gain. The short option climbs 731 meters; the middle distance, 1,685; and the long race reaches 3,680 meters of accumulated ascent.

The 10-kilometer option may seem accessible beside the other two, but its 731 meters of elevation gain point to a mountain course that requires measured effort rather than judging the challenge by distance alone. On the 21-kilometer route, 1,685 meters of ascent increase the physical and technical demands; the long race, with 40 kilometers and 3,680 meters of elevation gain, is aimed at runners experienced in extended courses and demanding climbs.

Some international listings show the long course as 42.2 kilometers, while the event’s detailed description identifies it as 40 kilometers. To avoid presenting an inconsistent figure as official, this article uses the more specific program description and gives the distance as 40 kilometers. The discrepancy is a reason to check the organizer’s final race information before making plans based on exact mileage or estimated finish times.

Elevation gain measures cumulative climbing, not the course’s maximum altitude. In a mountain race, a high figure can mean sustained ascents, repeated short climbs or a combination of both. Without full elevation profiles or confirmed aid-station details, it is not possible to say exactly how the challenge is distributed along each route.

VI KV El Corcho and the vertical challenge

The program also includes the VI KV El Corcho, a five-kilometer vertical race with 1,028 meters of elevation gain. A vertical kilometer packs a steep climb into a short distance: here, the relationship between course length and ascent points to an intense effort, unlike races that allow runners to alternate climbs with recovery sections.

The reference information includes this vertical race in the event program, but does not confirm its date after the main race was postponed. An earlier listing gave September 27, before the change announced for the main event on October 31. It should therefore not be assumed that the KV El Corcho will take place alongside the other distances or that it will keep its earlier date.

The contrast between the vertical race and the 10-, 21- and 40-kilometer courses illustrates the breadth of the program: a short, explosive climb sits alongside endurance races. The available information does give the vertical event’s name, distance and elevation gain; its start time, precise start location and any calendar changes are not confirmed in the material provided.

Trails, tracks and the landscapes of northeastern La Palma

The race runs mainly along mountain paths and forest tracks in the municipality. Event descriptions refer to ravines, pine forests and old agricultural terraces, features that shape a varied volcanic landscape. This is not an urban race on continuous asphalt: terrain and elevation are central to the experience and influence both pace and footwear choices.

Puntallana lies in northeastern La Palma, about seven kilometers from Santa Cruz de La Palma, according to the available geographical information. The municipality combines inhabited areas with rural landscapes and mountain terrain. The course may alternate between more open tracks and vegetated sections, although the sources consulted do not provide a detailed route map that assigns specific landscapes to each distance.

The terrain suggests a race where reading the path matters as much as fitness. A steady pace may be possible on a forest track, but not on an uneven trail or a steep climb. For a race with up to 3,680 meters of elevation gain, a cautious start and the ability to adapt to the surface matter more than trying to hold one pace throughout.

The available information does not detail trail conditions on race day, course markings, checkpoints or the forecast. October offers a seasonal reference, but it cannot guarantee what the weather will be like during the event. On an island with pronounced changes in relief, conditions may vary with altitude and exposure, so runners should check specific forecasts closer to race day.

Registration and details worth checking

After the postponement, organizers said registration would run from October 6 to 20. Since the current date is October 13, 2026, that window is open according to the information provided. The entry fee, number of available places and whether registration could close early if capacity is reached are not specified.

The earlier announcement had a September 20 deadline, linked to the original October race date. That information became outdated after the postponement moved the event to October 31 and established a new registration period. Where different listings coexist, the later date and registration window best reflect the change; entry fees and availability, however, remain unconfirmed.

Other details still need clarification in the available references: start times, schedules for each distance, aid stations, final rules and possible adjustments to the associated events. The start and finish location is listed as the annex of Puntallana Town Council, but no complete street address is provided. Without those details, it is not possible to produce a more precise logistics guide without making assumptions.

The discrepancy between 40 and 42.2 kilometers across different platforms deserves particular attention from runners entering the long course. The detailed event description gives 40 kilometers and 3,680 meters of elevation gain; other listings summarize the distance as 42.2. Before planning pace, nutrition or travel, runners should rely on the organizer’s final rules and route rather than combining figures from different calendars.

Puntallana as a base for the weekend

The race can be an opportunity to experience more of the municipality than the start line. The tourism information provided highlights accommodation, restaurants and food shops, services that may be useful to runners and companions traveling to the island. No specific businesses or weekend availability are listed, so those details depend on current supply and booking dates.

Puntallana’s location in the northeast of the island, near Santa Cruz de La Palma, places the race within reach of the island’s capital. However, the reference material does not detail public transport, designated parking or planned road closures. Travel arrangements therefore require up-to-date local information, particularly for people bringing companions or arriving on race day.

The mix of sport and rural surroundings is a defining feature of mountain races: the municipality is more than a backdrop, as its paths, elevation and services all shape the day. For this edition, the date change adds a practical variable to travel and accommodation plans. The updated calendar, rather than the original listing, should guide any booking.

A demanding race that depends on accurate information

The 2026 edition combines a mountain race with three main distances, from 10 to 40 kilometers, and a five-kilometer vertical event with substantial elevation gain. The variety of formats broadens the options, but the available figures make clear that even the shortest distance includes considerable climbing. Difficulty is not measured by mileage alone: the terrain changes the effort from start to finish.

The key detail for this edition is the new date of October 31, 2026, announced after the postponement, along with the October 6-20 registration window. At the same time, some platforms still show the original October 3 date and a different long-course distance. Those discrepancies make it especially important to separate confirmed information from details that still require an official update.

In Puntallana, the mountain offers a race that combines trails, forest tracks and the climbing associated with a demanding event. The edition is presented as a notable date on the island’s racing calendar, but its sporting appeal can only be assessed with all the details clearly established: final route, schedules, logistics and entry conditions. An accurate calendar will matter as much as preparation for the elevation gain.