Trail Trincheras XYZ 2026: routes and start times in Jérica

Plan your race pace

Jérica will host the sixth edition of its mountain race on Dec. 19 and 20, 2026, with a weekend of routes along trails, forest tracks and the historic XYZ trenches. The programme brings together five individual distances, a vertical race and a combined event linking Saturday’s climb with Sunday’s Y route.

Organised by Club Deportivo Chafaaliagas de Jérica with the town council’s support, the event offers options ranging from a 4.82-kilometre ascent to a 28-kilometre course. Routes W, X, Y and Z start and finish at Plaza de la Libertad; the published information gives the vertical race a Saturday start time of 11 a.m. and the Y route a Sunday start at 9:30 a.m.

A mountain-running weekend in Jérica

The race crosses the municipality of Jérica, in Castellón province, and takes its name from a line of trenches dating from the Spanish Civil War. The setting combines historic remains with mountain paths: a landscape where the event does more than connect climbs, passing through a place shaped by memory and now part of the natural surroundings.

The sixth edition is spread over two days. The Trinchera Vertical takes place on Saturday, Dec. 19, climbing a short route to Alto de Sayas; the main distances and Mini Trail are scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 20. Runners can choose a single event or take on the Combinada, although the latter involves racing on two consecutive days.

The organising club and town council are listed as responsible for the event, while the registration information says entries are managed by Tempo Finito through RockTheSport. The race is included in the UTMB Index: according to the available information, distances Y, Z and W score in the 20K category. That may matter to runners following the mountain-racing calendar and its index rankings.

Choosing a distance: from 4.82 to 28 kilometres

The programme combines routes of different lengths and levels of effort. Route X is 12 kilometres; Y is 19; Z is 28; and the new W distance covers 18 kilometres. These options are joined by the vertical race, measuring 4.82 kilometres with 385 metres of elevation gain, and a children’s event with age-adjusted courses whose distances are not specified in the information reviewed.

The lettered names distinguish the routes, but they cannot replace the key details needed to assess the challenge: distance, elevation, terrain and personal experience. Complete elevation figures for X, Y, Z and W are not available here, so distance alone cannot show how demanding each course will be. The route profile, pace and weather also affect the actual difficulty.

The shortest adult distance is X at 12 kilometres, while Z is the longest at 28. The new 18-kilometre W expands the programme and is designed to ease the transition from road running to the mountains. It mainly follows forest tracks and is described as fast and not very technical. That does not make it an urban route: it is still a trail race that calls for adapting to uneven ground.

The 19-kilometre Y route alternates runnable sections with more technical stretches. The event description highlights pine woods and views towards the Espadán and Calderona ranges, as well as Penyagolosa. For runners seeking a longer distance, Z covers 28 kilometres in the mountains around Jérica. Without complete route profiles in the reference information, runners should consult the regulations and official maps before comparing the two for difficulty.

The new W distance and the appeal of forest tracks

The 18-kilometre W adds a route intended as a manageable transition from road racing. Most of it follows forest tracks, and the course is described as not very technical and suitable for running. Those features may appeal to people starting out in trail running or trying a mountain event without choosing the longest distance straight away.

The route offers views of the Mediterranean and Penyagolosa, according to the organiser’s description, and finishes with an approach to Jérica via Vuelta de la Hoz. The finish therefore links the sporting effort with the town’s setting; it is more than a place to stop the clock, marking the final stretch back from the forest landscape into the town.

The phrase not very technical should be understood in relative terms. A track may be more even than a narrow trail, but mud, loose stones, slopes and rain can affect footing and pace. In December, temperature and daylight also shape a mountain-running experience, so a general route description is no substitute for the regulations or last-minute updates.

The Trinchera Vertical and combined event

The vertical race is short and focused: 4.82 kilometres with 385 metres of climbing to Alto de Sayas. It is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19. Its distance means a shorter overall race time than Sunday’s longer routes, but the elevation packed into a few kilometres makes the climb the defining feature.

Runners can enter it on its own or as part of the Combinada. This event combines Saturday’s vertical race with the 19-kilometre Y route, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 20, at 9:30 a.m. The combination requires managing two different efforts: an explosive ascent first, followed by a longer race the next day. It is not simply a matter of adding kilometres; runners must spread their effort across both days.

The organisers announce the second edition of the combined event for 2026. Anyone considering it should check the entry conditions, regulations and complete schedule, as well as confirming how the combined result is calculated. The available information specifies the two events and their start times, but does not provide the scoring rules here.

The Mini Trail and family participation

The programme also includes the third edition of the Mini Trail. It is aimed at young participants and offers routes adapted to age, with a playful approach to introducing families to trail running. The reference information does not specify distances, age groups or start times, so these details should be checked in the specific 2026 regulations.

The children’s event broadens the meaning of the weekend: it is not all about kilometres and elevation on adult courses. In a sport where direct contact with the terrain is part of the experience, adapting a route to each age is essential to making participation safe and enjoyable, rather than turning a family activity into a scaled-down adult race.

The published price for the Mini Trail is 5 euros. As with the other fees, this should be treated as the amount shown in the registration information reviewed; current conditions should be checked before entering. The regulations are particularly useful for clarifying permissions, supervision, equipment and any requirements for minors.

Registration, fees and dates to check

The registration information lists an opening time of noon on Aug. 15, 2026, with entries closing at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 4. The registration platform indicated that entries were open. Because this is a future event and fees may change as registration progresses, runners should confirm the final price and availability in the entry system before making a decision.

The published fees are 27 euros for X, 28 for Y, 33 for Z and 30 for W. The vertical race is listed at 14 euros; the Combinada at 44; and the Mini Trail at 5. Overall, the published range is 5 to 44 euros. The difference reflects distinct event formats, although the available information does not explain possible price tiers, included services or processing charges.

The vertical race is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19, while routes W, X, Y and Z are assigned to Sunday, according to the event overview. The Y route has a published start time of 9:30 a.m. No specific time for the other Sunday distances is included here, so it should not be inferred from the vertical’s start time or from a page that only gives the event’s opening date.

Routes W, X, Y and Z start and finish at Plaza de la Libertad, according to the published information. The exact start location for the vertical is not specified in the details available, although its climb heads to Alto de Sayas. The regulations and organiser updates are the right places to confirm locations, bib collection, required equipment and any safety or weather-related changes.

A route through landscape and memory

The trenches that give the event its identity witnessed the Spanish Civil War. Today they form part of a landscape open to visitors and walkers, while retaining a historical significance that sets this mountain race apart from other courses. Running through the area adds another dimension to the effort: the landscape is not a neutral backdrop but a place bearing visible traces of the past.

The race crosses trails and tracks in the municipality, with sections that reveal the vegetation and terrain of inland Castellón. On clear days, the views highlighted by the organisers reach landmarks such as the Espadán and Calderona ranges and Penyagolosa; the new W route also includes views towards the Mediterranean. Actual visibility depends on the weather and conditions on race day.

This link between sport and history is an invitation to treat the area with care. The structures and paths are part of a heritage worth respecting during the race and on visits outside the event. Runners may gather at particular points, so following organiser instructions helps protect the terrain and keep routes clear.

How to assess the challenge before entering

Comparing distances is a starting point, not a complete measure of effort. An 18-kilometre route on tracks may be more runnable than a shorter course with steep climbs and technical ground, but accumulated fatigue, elevation and surface conditions change that equation. A sound comparison also requires elevation profiles, surface details and cut-off times, which are not included in the summary information.

The vertical is the clearest option for anyone seeking a short climb, while X covers 12 kilometres and W 18. Y is 19 kilometres and Z reaches 28, making the latter the longest route. The combined event adds Saturday’s climb to Sunday’s Y, so runners need to consider not only fitness but also their ability to recover between days.

December weather can change mountain terrain within hours. Cold, rain and wind affect comfort and grip, and forest tracks do not rule out mud or slippery sections. Checking organiser instructions and bringing equipment suited to the forecast are part of responsible preparation for any distance.

Mountain races also require attention to safety rules, any mandatory equipment and course markings. The available information does not include a list of required gear or details of aid stations. Those points should be checked in the current regulations rather than assumed to be the same for every route or previous edition.

Jérica as a meeting point for trail runners

With the main routes starting and finishing at Plaza de la Libertad, Jérica sits at the centre of the weekend experience. The courses leave the town for mountain tracks and trails before returning, connecting the effort on the hills with local life. According to the published description, the new W has a distinctive finish via Vuelta de la Hoz.

The different formats can bring together a range of runners: people seeking a first mountain race, experienced participants looking for medium distances, and those drawn to a vertical climb or a two-day challenge. That variety does not mean every option is equally difficult; each route creates a different balance of duration, elevation and terrain.

The sixth edition will take place on Dec. 19 and 20, 2026, combining sport, landscape and local history. The available figures make it possible to compare distances, stated start times and published fees, but the final choice also depends on full route profiles and regulations. In Jérica, the mountain begins at the start line and continues through a landscape whose history is part of the course.