Registration is now open for the race’s new distance, which is limited to 500 participants and features an 11.6-km loop course that starts and finishes at the El Pilar Refuge and passes through the Ruta de los Volcanes.
The organizers of the adidas Transvulcania, supported by Sodepal and the La Palma Island Council, have unveiled the Transvulcania 12K Light, a new race category that will make its debut on May 8, 2027, as part of the 17th edition’s program. The race will start at 10:30 a.m. from the El Pilar Refuge, and 500 spots are available starting this morning; registration is now open at transvulcania.com.
The new race distance was created in direct response to the extremely high public demand that the adidas Transvulcania sees year after year. The 12K Light primarily opens the event up to runners seeking their first experience in the Cumbre Vieja Natural Park, those who want to enjoy the race atmosphere without tackling the more demanding distances, and families and groups traveling to La Palma to accompany participants in other categories. With this addition, the adidas Transvulcania completes a program designed to ensure that no one is left out.
The president of the La Palma Island Council, Sergio Rodríguez, noted that the current administration has made a significant commitment to restoring the essence of Transvulcania, “a race that transcends borders but has always held special significance for the people of our island—a sense of connection that had been lost and that we have sought to restore so that it may once again become part of La Palma’s community.”
“Precisely in line with this goal that we continue to pursue—and which I believe has been evident in recent editions—we are introducing this new category today, which aims to allow enthusiasts who have always wanted to experience Transvulcania from the inside, as well as athletes who regularly run this distance, to take part in the next edition,” said Sergio Rodríguez.
The island’s Sports Councilor, Yurguen Hernández, emphasized that this event—which will debut in 2027—has benefited from the involvement of La Palma’s track and field clubs and those involved in mountain races in its launch, “which means it doubly fulfills the objective mentioned by the president that the event belong to the people of La Palma,” he noted.
For her part, Sodepal CEO Miriam Perestelo emphasized that each new event in the adidas Transvulcania series represents yet another opportunity for economic promotion for La Palma. “We’re talking about 500 people who shop at our local businesses, consume local products, and enrich their experience through the work of our companies and professionals,” she noted.
The 12K Light course is a loop, starting and finishing at the El Pilar Mountain Hut, located at an elevation of 1,461 meters. After the first 4 kilometers, participants will reach Llano de las Moscas and then tackle the most challenging section along the GR-131, the legendary Ruta de los Volcanes, up to the highest point of the course at 1,848 meters. The return to the El Pilar Refuge completes a 11.6-kilometer route with 494 meters of elevation gain and 494 meters of elevation loss, for a total of 988 meters—a manageable distance that nonetheless allows participants to enjoy the island’s most iconic volcanic landscape.
The registration fee is 55 euros, with a reduced rate of 35 euros for residents of La Palma. Registration is now open at transvulcania.com, where you can also find the list of required equipment for this event. The organizers recommend reviewing the list in advance and completing your registration as soon as possible, given how quickly spots are filling up for all the events in the program.