Bosques del Sur ultra 2027: date, course and key details

Plan your race pace

The next edition of the Bosques del Sur ultra trail will take place on May 29, 2027, in Cazorla, Jaén. Its main course covers 67 kilometres and gains 3,250 metres of elevation through the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park. The start is scheduled for 6 a.m. at Plaza de la Constitución, and the finish at the Ruins of Santa María will close at 11 p.m.

The race will hold its 12th edition with a change that alters how runners experience the course: the route will run in the opposite direction to the previous edition. The organisers set a limit of 350 participants for the ultra distance and require a medical certificate. The protected landscape, elevation gain and a day lasting up to 17 hours make planning just as important as speed.

A 2027 edition with a reversed course

The 2027 edition will take runners through some of the natural park’s best-known landscapes, but in the opposite direction to last year. This is more than a minor adjustment. Covering the same sections in reverse changes which climbs come first, how the ascents feel and what time of day runners reach each checkpoint.

In a mountain ultra, the order of the terrain matters as much as the total distance. A descent that helped loosen the legs in another edition may become a long climb; a familiar section also feels different when tackled with accumulated fatigue. That is why memories of a previous edition cannot fully predict how the 2027 course will feel. The reverse direction makes the profile a different experience, even for runners who already know the mountains.

The available information lists the distance as 67 kilometres, with 3,250 metres of positive elevation gain. These figures describe an endurance day, with accumulated climbs and descents on mountain terrain, rather than a fast road race. The technical details state that the route includes neither paved roads nor tracks, placing the challenge on trails and natural paths. The elevation gain calls for energy conservation: starting too fast can take its toll well before the final sections.

Race date, start and time limits

The start is scheduled for 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2027, at Plaza de la Constitución in Cazorla. The finish will be at the Ruins of Santa María in the historic centre. Organisers set a maximum time of 17 hours, with the finish closing at 11 p.m. That window makes pace management central to the event: every stop, trail bottleneck or lost minute on a climb counts over a long day.

An early-morning start allows runners to cover the first hours in cooler temperatures as daylight grows, but it also means logistics must be settled in advance. Clothing, a headlamp if required by the official equipment rules, nutrition and transport to the start should all be ready before race morning. Seventeen hours is a cutoff, not a predicted finish time for everyone; actual times depend on fitness, terrain, weather and each runner’s pace.

The technical information sets a maximum of 350 runners for the ultra distance. That figure defines the size of the field on the trails and gives a sense of the event’s scale. In a mountain race, a shared start can create bottlenecks on narrow early sections; staying calm and respecting other runners’ pace helps the field spread out without abrupt moves. A measured start is not wasted time: patience early on can protect the legs.

Checkpoints map out the day

The course includes aid stations across different parts of the mountains. Listed landmarks include Virgen de la Cabeza at 2.6 kilometres, Poyo de los Gabinos at 9.8, Puerto de las Palomas at 14.3 and Arroyo Frío at 17.6. Farther along come Vadillo, Nava del Espino and Puente de las Herrerías, followed by checkpoints at Banderín, Lagunilla and Cagahierro. The organisers list 10 aid stations plus the finish station.

The gaps between checkpoints vary: some arrive early, while others require runners to cover a considerably longer section. Nava del Espino is listed at kilometre 31.1 and Puente de las Herrerías at 39.8; Banderín follows at 46.1, Lagunilla at 54.7 and Cagahierro at 61.9. The final Cazorla reference is around kilometre 66.87, close to the finish. Thinking of the checkpoints as a sequence helps divide the ultra mentally, rather than focusing on all 67 kilometres at once.

The published checkpoint times provide a framework for following the race, but do not replace the rules or information given to each runner. Early checkpoints, for example, are scheduled to open at 6:15 a.m. at Virgen de la Cabeza and 6:55 a.m. at Poyo de los Gabinos; Cagahierro’s listed cutoff is 10 p.m., ahead of the overall finish closure. Cutoff times are part of the challenge: runners should know them and understand how they fit their own pace.

Cazorla and a natural area that shapes the race

The start and finish connect the race with Cazorla’s town centre, while most of the course enters an area of significant ecological value. The Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park is home to a wide variety of species and habitats. The organisers name Valverde’s lizard and Cazorla violet, a plant associated with these mountains, among the endemic species found here. The mountain is not merely the race’s backdrop: it is an ecosystem shared with its participants.

That context brings a clear responsibility. The organisers ask runners not to leave litter, to keep noise down to avoid disturbing wildlife and to stay on the marked route. In a race through sensitive areas, a dropped wrapper or a shortcut off the trail is not a trivial matter. The race should leave no trace beyond footsteps, a simple idea that depends on individual decisions made over many hours and across different parts of the mountains.

The finish at the Ruins of Santa María gives a town-centre and historic setting to a day dominated by natural scenery. Still, the contrast between town and mountain should not obscure the course’s demands: runners will spend much of the day on trails exposed to changing temperatures, accumulated fatigue and shifting terrain. Environmental care is part of the challenge, because running through a protected area calls for attention even when the body is feeling the strain.

Registration, entry fees and medical requirement

Race information lists registration opening on February 15, 2027, at 10 a.m. For the ultra distance, two entry fees are given: €95 for runners federated with FADMES and €100 for those without that federation. The difference is €5. The reference does not specify possible extra charges, refund conditions or other price tiers, so those details should be checked on the registration platform and in the current rules.

Taking part in this distance requires a medical certificate, according to the organisers’ published information. It is not a formality to leave until the last minute: runners should check what format is accepted, who can issue it and when it must be submitted. The reference says that a template is available, although administrative details may be updated before race day. For a mountain ultra, a medical check beforehand is relevant, but it does not replace appropriate preparation or guarantee that exertion is risk-free.

The entry fee is only one part of the cost of a race that may also involve travel, accommodation and meals before and after the start. Cazorla will be the event’s operational base, so reaching town and getting to Plaza de la Constitución deserve advance planning. The early start and evening cutoff shape the logistics: staying nearby, calculating transfers and agreeing where to wait for or meet supporters can prevent complications on race day.

An ultra to approach with care and respect

At 67 kilometres with 3,250 metres of positive elevation gain, this event is among the trail challenges that call for mountain experience and the ability to sustain effort for many hours. A runner cannot simply take their usual road-race pace onto the trails. Long climbs, descents and uneven surfaces demand strength, balance and a careful approach to fuelling and hydration. Preparation should reflect the terrain and duration of the challenge, with gradual progression and recovery rather than just piling up fast kilometres.

The planned change of direction makes it particularly important to consult the updated course once the organisers publish the full details. Maps or memories from previous editions can help runners recognise place names, but they cannot reveal exactly how demanding each section will feel this year. It is also worth checking the mandatory equipment, safety instructions and environmental rules, since the short technical summary does not list the full kit requirements. Current official race information takes precedence over outdated details.

On race day, a sensible plan leaves room to adapt: weather can vary between sections, checkpoint times are guidelines and fatigue changes how effort feels. A rigid plan becomes less useful when the terrain or body calls for a different pace. Eating and drinking regularly, avoiding sudden changes in intensity and seeking assistance when worrying symptoms appear are general safety principles, not guarantees against incidents. In an ultra, knowing when to ease off is also part of racing well.

The race brings together a sporting challenge and care for a remarkable landscape. For participants, the reversed direction promises a different experience even on familiar trails; for Cazorla, the event once again puts the town on the long-distance trail map. The key detail is clear: on May 29, runners will cross the mountains from first light until well into the night, with a 17-hour limit and a responsibility to leave the park as they found it.

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