Spain·2026

Badajoz

Badajoz sits on the Guadiana river on Spain's western border with Portugal, and the terrain here is rolling rather than flat—expect steady climbs through cork oak forests and scrubland typical of Extremadura. The Desafío San Fernando cross races (21K and 10K) are the anchor running events; cyclists tackle the longer 40km mountain bike version on the same terrain, with 400–500m of climbing. Local runners also use the Ruta Senderismo Los Doce Apóstoles (12 apostles trail, 16km) as a weekend route through the rural hills southeast of the city.