Val d’Aran by UTMB 2027 – Vielha, Spain

What to expect

Val d’Aran by UTMB 2027 is a major international trail-running event held in the Val d’Aran in the Spanish Pyrenees, with Vielha serving as the main hub for the competition. The event combines ultra-distance mountain races, shorter trail challenges, a race village, athlete activities and opportunities for spectators to experience one of the most important trail-running gatherings in the region. The official event programme features seven mountain races plus the Vielha 10K, giving runners a wide choice of distances and difficulty levels.

The centerpiece is the Torn dera Val d’Aran, or VDA, a 163-kilometre ultra with 10,000 metres of positive elevation gain. Alongside it are the Camins d’Hèr, Termières dera Libertat, Peades d’Aigua, Experiència d’Aran and SKY races, while the Vielha 10K provides a shorter option for participants looking for a more accessible trail experience.

The event is also significant within the UTMB World Series. Val d’Aran functions as the European Major of the circuit, meaning elite performances in the principal 50K, 100K and 100M categories can provide direct access to the corresponding UTMB World Series Finals. Finishers also receive enhanced Running Stones compared with standard World Series events.

For spectators, the experience extends beyond watching runners. The Ultra-Trail Village in Vielha brings together exhibitors, food trucks, information services, race administration, entertainment and other activities, while additional spectator opportunities are available around mountain villages and race locations.

Match/event dates

Val d’Aran by UTMB 2027 is scheduled for July 7 – 11, 2027, with the individual races distributed across the event period. The official event website currently confirms the following programme:

• Vielha 10K: July 7, 2027
• Termières dera Libertat (TDL): July 7, 2027
• Peades d’Aigua (PDA): July 8, 2027
• Torn dera Val d’Aran (VDA): July 9, 2027
• Camins d’Hèr (CDH): July 9, 2027
• SKY – Baqueira Beret: July 10, 2027
• SKY Promesas: July 10, 2027
• Experiència d’Aran (EXP): July 11, 2027

The schedule is subject to operational changes, so runners should check the official race pages and final Runner’s Guide before travelling.

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Stadium & sports venue

Val d’Aran by UTMB does not use a conventional stadium. It takes place across mountain trails, villages, valleys, passes, lakes and high-altitude terrain throughout the Val d’Aran.

The main event hub is the Ultra-Trail Village on Avenida Pas d’Arro in Vielha, which serves as an important meeting point for runners, companions and spectators. It hosts race-related services, exhibitors, information facilities, activities and finish-line operations for several races. Previous event editions have used the village as the central social and logistical environment for the competition.

Race starts and finishes are distributed around the valley. Depending on the race, locations include Vielha, Les, Bossòst, Salardú and Pla de Beret at the Baqueira Beret ski resort. The VDA starts and finishes in Vielha, while the CDH starts in Les and the TDL begins in Bossòst. The PDA starts in Salardú, and the SKY races take place around Pla de Beret.

Full fixture or event schedule

The programme is built around a progression from shorter community-oriented races to major mountain ultras.

• Vielha 10K: A 10-kilometre trail race with 500 metres of positive elevation gain, beginning and ending in Vielha. It is designed to make the event accessible to runners with different levels of experience.
• Termières dera Libertat: A 75-kilometre, 100K-category mountain race with 5,100 metres of positive elevation gain. Its concept is linked to historic mountain routes used by people seeking freedom.
• Peades d’Aigua: A 55-kilometre mountain race with 3,300 metres of positive elevation gain, featuring the spectacular Colomèrs glacial lake area.
• Torn dera Val d’Aran: The flagship 163-kilometre race, with 10,000 metres of positive elevation gain and a 48-hour maximum race time.
• Camins d’Hèr: A 110-kilometre challenge with 6,400 metres of positive elevation gain, passing through terrain associated with the valley’s mining heritage.
• SKY – Baqueira Beret: An 18-kilometre mountain race with 900 metres of elevation gain, featuring high-altitude terrain and views across the Pyrenees.
• SKY Promesas: An 18-kilometre youth-oriented mountain race using the SKY route and designed for younger trail runners.
• Experiència d’Aran: A 32-kilometre trail race with 2,100 metres of positive elevation gain, intended to provide an introduction to more demanding trail running.

Teams, athletes & participants

This is an individual trail-running competition rather than a team-based tournament. Participants include professional and elite international runners, experienced ultrarunners, recreational trail athletes and younger competitors.

The international scale is one of the event’s defining characteristics. The previous edition attracted more than 7,000 runners representing around 90 nationalities, demonstrating the international reach of the Val d’Aran event.

The elite field is expected to include high-level competitors across the principal distances, although the final 2027 elite start lists should be checked closer to the race. The official website already provides dedicated 2027 elite-start-list sections for the VDA, CDH, TDL, PDA, EXP and SKY competitions.

Previous-edition winners included Santos Gabriel Rueda and Katarzyna Dombrowska in the VDA, Gautier Bonnecarrere and Miao Yao in the CDH, Adrien Jacques and Gemma Arenas in the TDL, Luca del Pero and Sara Alonso in the PDA, Joel Santamaría and María Teresa La Chica in the EXP, Jan Torrella and Vivien Bonzi in SKY, Lucas Gómez-Galarza and Manca Mlekuz in SKY Promesas, and Edouard Thouvenin and Belén Bares in the Vielha 10K.

Tournament format & competition structure

The event operates as a multi-race trail-running festival rather than a single tournament bracket. Each race has its own course, distance, elevation profile, time limit and classification.

The three principal UTMB World Series categories are especially important because Val d’Aran is a European Major. The VDA corresponds to the 100M level, CDH to the 100K level and PDA to the 50K level. The top ten men and top ten women in the corresponding Major categories can receive direct access to the relevant UTMB World Series Finals.

Runners also collect Running Stones according to the race category. The official 2027 race listings show eight Running Stones for VDA, six for CDH and TDL, four for PDA and EXP, two for SKY and SKY Promesas, while the Vielha 10K operates outside this standard Running Stones structure.

Each race also has mandatory equipment and safety requirements appropriate to mountain conditions. Certain races permit assistance only at designated checkpoints, while others do not allow external assistance on the course.

Match/event times

Start times vary considerably according to the distance and location of each race.

• Vielha 10K: 7:00 PM, starting in Vielha.
• TDL: 7:30 AM, starting in Bossòst.
• PDA: 7:00 AM, starting in Salardú.
• CDH: 6:00 AM, starting in Les.
• VDA: 4:00 PM, starting in Vielha.
• SKY Promesas: 9:15 AM, starting at Pla de Beret.
• SKY – Baqueira Beret: 9:30 AM, starting at Pla de Beret.
• EXP: 8:00 AM, starting in Vielha.

Finish times naturally vary according to distance, terrain and individual performance. The official race pages publish maximum permitted times for each major competition.

Ticket types

There is no conventional spectator stadium ticket because most of the competition takes place on open mountain courses. The principal paid product is the runner’s race registration.

The official 2027 registration table currently lists the following race-entry ranges, converted to USD using the European Central Bank reference rate of €1 = $1.1177. The organiser also states that an additional 8% bank and administrative registration fee applies.

• VDA: approximately $251.50 to $290.60 before the additional 8% registration fee.
• CDH: approximately $193.36 to $234.72 before the additional 8% registration fee.
• PDA: approximately $109.53 to $136.36 before the additional 8% registration fee.
• EXP: approximately $67.06 to $83.83 before the additional 8% registration fee.
• SKY: approximately $43.59 to $53.65 before the additional 8% registration fee.
• SKY Promesas: approximately $35.77 to $49.17 before the additional 8% registration fee.

The approximate maximum totals after applying the stated 8% administrative fee are about $313.85 for VDA, $253.50 for CDH, $147.27 for PDA, $90.54 for EXP, $57.94 for SKY and $53.10 for SKY Promesas. These are conversions of the organiser’s published registration ranges rather than fixed USD prices.

Ticket release phases

Registration is divided according to the race and demand level. The official process states that TDL, PDA and EXP use a pre-registration and lottery system, introduced because of exceptional demand, while VDA, CDH, SKY, SKY Promesas and the Vielha 10K use direct registration.

The lottery system is designed to provide runners with a more equal opportunity to obtain a highly sought-after bib instead of relying solely on how quickly they can register when places open. Runners who are not initially selected may be placed on a waiting list.

Registration prices for the direct-registration races use different tiers. The cost can rise as predetermined numbers of bibs are allocated, so runners who want the lowest published price should register as early as possible when their chosen race opens.

VIP & hospitality options

The event is primarily focused on athletes, spectators and the wider trail-running community rather than traditional stadium-style VIP hospitality.

The Ultra-Trail Village provides a premium event environment with brand activations, exhibitor spaces, athlete presentations, entertainment, information services and food areas. The organiser also has dedicated media and VIP assistance within its wider event operation.

For runners and accompanying family members, official travel and accommodation support is available through event partners. Nirvana is an official UTMB World Series travel, accommodation and logistics partner, offering services designed around runners and their companions.

No separate 2027 VIP spectator package with a confirmed public price is currently listed on the official event website, so visitors should not assume that a conventional hospitality ticket is required.

Stadium & event rules

Because the event takes place in mountainous natural environments, safety and environmental rules are particularly important. Participants must comply with mandatory equipment requirements and follow instructions from race officials, medical teams, marshals and aid-station personnel.

Runners who decide to withdraw must report their withdrawal at an appropriate checkpoint or through the event’s designated communication system. Race bibs must be retained because they provide access to certain organisational transport, meals and medical services after withdrawal.

External assistance is restricted according to the individual race. For example, the CDH permits assistance at designated checkpoints while prohibiting it elsewhere, whereas PDA, EXP and SKY do not allow runner assistance on the course. Pacers are also prohibited from setting the pace.

Mountain weather can change rapidly, so runners should follow the official mandatory-equipment requirements and any instructions issued by race management.

How to get there

Vielha is the main base for the event and is located in the Val d’Aran in the central Pyrenees of Catalonia. The valley is connected by road with the wider Catalan and French Pyrenean region.

For international visitors, the most practical approach is generally to travel to a major airport in the surrounding region and continue by road or organised transfer toward Vielha. The exact choice depends on flight availability and whether the visitor is arriving from Spain, France or another European country.

Once in the valley, visitors should avoid planning the entire trip around private-car travel. The organiser has developed a dedicated event transportation system connecting many of the villages and race locations.

Public transport & parking

Public and event-organised transport is strongly encouraged. The organiser’s mobility plan connects many communities across the valley and is specifically designed to reduce private-car use and pressure on sensitive mountain areas.

The UTMB Bus links locations across the valley, while public interurban buses provide additional connections. Depending on the race, runners can receive free transport to and from their start locations by presenting their race bib and wristband, although some races require advance reservations.

Mountain shuttles also connect spectators with selected viewing and aid-station locations. Parking around popular mountain areas is limited, and the organiser warns that authorities may regulate or temporarily close access when parking areas reach capacity.

For spectators, an official UTMB-Pass may provide access to the event’s bus and shuttle network, subject to the applicable transport rules and availability.

Accommodation areas

Vielha is the most convenient base for visitors who want to remain close to the central event village, but accommodation is spread throughout the valley.

The official accommodation programme features properties including Hotel Vielha Baqueira by Meliá, Hotel Aran La Abuela, Hotel Riu Nere, Parador de Arties, Hotel Montarto and Hotel de Tredós Baqueira by Meliá. Luderna also offers apartments designed for visitors attending mountain-running events.

Other useful areas include Arties, Salardú, Baqueira, Tredòs, Les and surrounding Val d’Aran villages. Staying outside Vielha can provide a quieter mountain experience, but visitors should check transportation arrangements carefully if they need to reach a particular race start or spectator point.

Because demand can be high around the event, early accommodation planning is advisable, especially for runners travelling with family or support crews.

Food & drink at the venue

The Ultra-Trail Village is designed as a social meeting point as well as a race-services centre. Previous official programmes have included food trucks and a chill-out terrace, giving spectators and runners convenient access to food and refreshments close to the main event activity.

The wider Val d’Aran is also known for its mountain cuisine and strong local gastronomic identity. Visitors can use the event as an opportunity to try traditional Aranese food in restaurants and mountain villages throughout the valley.

Runners should rely on the official aid stations for race nutrition and hydration rather than assuming that food available to spectators will meet their competition requirements.

Accessibility

Accessibility at Val d’Aran by UTMB requires additional planning because many race locations are in mountainous terrain, on trails and at high elevations. Not every spectator location will be suitable for people with limited mobility.

The central Ultra-Trail Village in Vielha is the most practical location for visitors who want access to event information, exhibitors, food and finish-line activity without entering remote mountain terrain.

The organiser’s transport programme also includes dedicated buses and mountain shuttles, although access conditions can vary according to the location and race. Assistance dogs are permitted on event buses, while other pets are not allowed.

Visitors with specific accessibility requirements should check directly with the organiser before travelling, particularly if they intend to reach mountain aid stations or high-altitude viewing points.

Best matches/events to attend

VDA: The flagship ultra is the natural choice for spectators interested in the highest level of endurance trail running. Its enormous distance and elevation profile make it the defining challenge of the event.

CDH: This is one of the strongest options for spectators who want to experience a serious 100K-category mountain race while also seeing terrain associated with the valley’s mining heritage.

PDA: The lake-focused course is particularly attractive for visitors who value scenery as much as competition. The Colomèrs area provides one of the most distinctive landscapes associated with the event.

SKY: The shorter format offers a concentrated mountain-racing experience around Pla de Beret and high-altitude terrain. The official course includes dramatic viewpoints and lakes, making it appealing for spectators.

Vielha 10K: This is a good choice for families and casual runners because it provides a shorter distance while keeping the start and finish connected with the main Vielha event environment.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition demonstrated the event’s growing international strength, with more than 7,000 runners representing around 90 nationalities. The competitive programme produced victories across every principal race category.

The VDA produced a particularly notable performance from Santos Gabriel Rueda, who won the men’s race, while Katarzyna Dombrowska took the women’s victory. The CDH was won by Gautier Bonnecarrere and Miao Yao.

Luca del Pero and Sara Alonso won the PDA, while Joel Santamaría and María Teresa La Chica topped the EXP. Jan Torrella and Vivien Bonzi won the SKY Master categories, and the youth SKY Promesas competition was won by Lucas Gómez-Galarza and Manca Mlekuz.

The event also continued its reputation as a major international trail-running gathering, combining elite competition with recreational runners, volunteers, exhibitors and spectators.

Official tickets

Official race registration should be completed through the Val d’Aran by UTMB registration system rather than through unofficial ticket sellers. The official registration page provides the race categories, pricing tiers, registration conditions and entry requirements.

For spectators, there is generally no standard admission ticket to watch runners on the open mountain courses. Visitors can attend public areas around the Ultra-Trail Village and selected accessible spectator locations, while organised shuttle or transport services may require the relevant pass or ticket.

The official website should be checked before travelling for final registration availability, transport rules, course information, mandatory equipment and any changes to the spectator programme.