Trail 100 Andorra By UTMB®

Imagine a country so small you could almost run across it in one go, and that’s exactly what thousands of trail runners do every year in June! 🏃‍♂️

Welcome to Andorra, or more precisely to the Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB®, the event that proves you don’t need a big country to host a colossal adventure 🤪. Let’s start with the playground, because it’s frankly unbelievable. The Andorra covers 468 km² with a population of around 86,000 inhabitants... About the size of the city of Lyon, but in mountain form. The country’s average altitude hovers around 2,000 meters, making it the highest country in Europe in this regard, and its capital Andorra la Vella is also the highest capital in Europe, perched at 1,013 meters ⬆️. In short: even people doing their grocery shopping live at altitude. Now imagine the trail runners 😅. The country counts 65 peaks above 2,500 meters, and its highest point, the Coma Pedrosa, rises to 2,943 meters. It’s the same summit that runners of the 105K will joyfully (and painfully) climb during the race 📈.

Speaking of distances, that’s where the organizers really thought of everyone 🗺️. The range is wide: 10 km, 24.9 km, 50 km, 80 km and the ultimate grail, the 105 km. The idea is simple: let everyone push their limits while exploring Andorra’s rich cultural heritageAndorra. The 10K with its 500 mD+ is ideal if you want to sample the vibe without waking up sore the next day 🦵. The 21K (which is actually 24.9 km 😬) offers 1,350 mD+. The 50K raises the bar to 3,400 mD+, roughly the equivalent of climbing the Eiffel Tower… 97 times 🤯. And then there’s the monster: the ultra 105K which circles the entire country by crowning several of the Principality’s peaks, including the Pico del Comapedrosathe highest in Andorra, with stunning views 😍, endless trails and a myriad of lakes 🏞️. With 6,900m of positive elevation gain, it’s the kind of race where you arrive thinking you’re an athlete and leave wondering if you’re truly sane 😂.

But the effort is worth it, and it’s not just about the scenery you’ll traverse! 😉 What’s special about the Trail 100 Andorra, is that the race sits in the UTMB World Series circuit, in other words, it’s serious business 💪. Slopes reach sometimes 20, 25, or even over 35% on several kilometers, turning some sections into a real climbing route in the heart of nature 🧗. Wet granite blocks, roots, exposed ridges… And yet, runners come back 🤓. Why? Because there’s something unique about running in a country whole of country 🌄. Bonus info for your companions or post-race activities: Caldea, the largest spa in the Pyrenees, is right nearby, at the foot of the mountains 🏔️. Because after 105 km and 6,900 mD+, a soak in a bubbly bath is well deserved. It’s even mandatory 🛁. And one last cool thing: the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, traversed by some race routes, was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004 in the category of cultural landscapes. In other words, when you run in Andorra you don’t just cross mountains, you cross a world heritage site, trail shoes on 👟. It’s still a pretty amazing way to lace up your sneakers 😎.

Don’t underestimate Andorra you’ve got a trail to conquer 💪.