Desafío 10 Picos Sierra de Espadán 2026

The route

The Desafío 10 Picos Sierra de Espadán starts in Onda, Castellón, and takes you into one of the region's most distinctive mountain ranges. You'll choose between two routes: the full 134 km challenge or the 65 km variant, both drawing you deep into the Serra d'Espadà. This is terrain that demands respect and rewards attention.

The Sierra de Espadán rises as a weathered, compact massif that catches wind differently depending on which side you're riding. The range runs roughly north-south, and this orientation matters for your strategy. Morning winds typically flow up the valleys as thermal currents develop, which can help on climbs but also signal changing conditions. By afternoon, ridge winds tend to strengthen and shift, particularly on the higher sections where you'll feel the full exposure of the peaks.

Onda sits at the base, and from there the routes climb steadily into the mountain's interior. The terrain here is characterized by tight switchbacks, steep pitches, and sections where vegetation opens suddenly to reveal wider views. The 10 peaks that define this challenge aren't a simple traverse; they're woven into a route that respects the landscape's actual contours rather than forcing a direct line. This means some climbs face north, others south, and your wind exposure changes with every turn.

Watch for wind channeling through the valleys. Where the terrain narrows, wind accelerates and can hit harder than you'd expect from the forecast. The exposed ridge sections are where you'll feel the most consistent pressure, but these are also where you'll get the best sense of the overall weather pattern. If you're riding the longer 134 km variant, you'll spend more time at elevation and should anticipate that wind patterns can shift throughout the day as you move between different altitudes and aspects.

The shorter 65 km option still engages the principal peaks but offers a more contained experience of the Serra d'Espadà's character. Both routes return to Onda, meaning you'll finish after descending, which is where many riders find that afternoon winds can be strongest, particularly if you've moved into late hours.

This is a ride where local knowledge helps. The Serra d'Espadà doesn't have extreme elevation, but it's unforgiving in its demands for steady effort and tactical pacing. Wind here is a constant partner rather than an occasional factor. Ride the official site at demarragevalencia.com to register and get the latest conditions from organizers who know this terrain intimately.

Variants and GPX

Past editions

Real Open-Meteo weather on each edition day.

How to register

Registration, price and rules are on the official website of the organization. Official march website →

More information

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