La Palma·Spain
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Wikimedia Commons
La Palma is one of the world's great trail-running islands, home to the Transvulcania ultra: a brutal, beautiful line up the volcanic ridge from the southern lighthouse to the crater rim and down to the sea.
In season: Oct–May · Peak: Nov–Mar
Steep, technical, high-vertical running on cinder and rock with almost no shade; the full Transvulcania route is a serious mountain ultra. Winter is cool and clear.
Runnable laurel forest in the north-east
Faro de Fuencaliente to Los Llanos over the volcanic spine
Sea level to 2,426 m, the climb the race is known for
Fly into Santa Cruz de La Palma and base in Los Llanos or El Paso. Start with the Roque de los Muchachos climb or a forest loop before the full crossing; carry water.
Trail runningFrance
The UTMB — a 171 km lap of the Mont Blanc massif with 10,000 m of climbing, the sport's biggest stage.
Trail runningIceland
The Laugavegur Ultra Marathon — 55 km down Iceland's most famous trekking route in a day.
Trail runningPortugal
The MIUT route: coast to coast across Madeira's volcanic spine on levadas and peaks.
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