Vertical de Guelguén 2026

Vertical de Guelguén is a short, steep mountain race in Garafía, on the north side of La Palma in the Canary Islands. Runners ascend over 1,000 meters in approximately 5.7 kilometers, making it a pure uphill test rather than a standard trail run. It is organized by Garafía City Council and EDA Eventos, with support from local groups, businesses, and volunteers. The event is part of the Canary Islands Federation’s skyrunning vertical-kilometer circuit. The route crosses Garafía’s green, humid, abrupt mountain terrain, where the challenge stems from the climb itself, not the distance. Local athletes compete alongside runners from other regions. Categories include youth, junior, under-23, and open fields, while cadet runners use a flying-start format under mountain-running rules. The race honors local history: its paths are described as the same routes used by parents and grandparents, routes associated with hard work, sacrifice, uncertainty, and the hope of providing a better future for the next generation.