Valcorchero Xtreme Trail

The Valcorchero Xtreme Trail is a mid-mountain trail race held in Plasencia, in northern Extremadura, on a Sunday in early November. It is organised by the Atletas Populares de Plasencia running club, which also stages the town's half marathon, and was launched in 2025, when its first running sold out. The race takes its name from Monte de Valcorchero, a cork-oak hill that runs right up to the edge of Plasencia. The long course counts towards the mountain running circuit of the Extremadura Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (Fexme) and is the final round of the Copa de Extremadura, while the short course is part of the Diputación de Cáceres trophy series.

The Extreme Trail covers about 23 km with 1,100 m of climbing and starts at 9:30 outside the Ciudad Deportiva sports hall, known locally as La Bombonera. After a stretch along the old N-630 road, the route heads into the hills by climbing behind the hospital, reaches the Boquique cave and the Ruta de los Pollos, then the jetty. Next come the Guarro path, a technical descent to Fuente Pajares and the steepest climb of the day, short but punchy, before the Camino del Villar and La Pera. From the high point at 658 m, the Vereda de la Vaca offers a lovely descent, then the Camino Viejo and La Guijosa lead back to the viewpoint and the Factoría Joven park. Runners finish by crossing the iron footbridge into the Ciudad Deportiva. Gradients reach 34% in places.

The Race Trail starts at 10:00 and offers 13.5 km with 500 m of climbing. It shares the opening section, the Boquique cave and the jetty, follows the Guarro path and then returns via La Guijosa and the viewpoint; its high point is 605 m and the steepest gradient 20%. Each race is capped at 160 runners aged 18 or over. The time limit is 4 hours on the Extreme Trail, with checkpoints along the way, and 3 hours on the Race Trail.

Monte de Valcorchero has been a Protected Landscape of Extremadura since 2005, covering almost 1,200 hectares. Its broken terrain, studded with granite boulders, carries a cork-oak forest mixed with holm oaks and ash trees, long worked for cork and grazing. The Boquique cave, on the route, is an archaeological site well known to prehistorians. The protection came after local groups campaigned against a golf course project, and the organisers place strong emphasis on respecting the environment.

Bibs are collected on race morning from 8:00 to 9:00 at the Ciudad Deportiva hall, with photo ID and, for Fexme members, a licence. Mandatory kit for the Extreme Trail is lugged trail shoes, a long-sleeved windproof jacket, a cap or bandana, a cup or soft flask, a survival blanket, a whistle and a mobile phone; the Race Trail requires the same minus the blanket. No cups are provided at the aid stations, which sit at km 6, 8.5, 12.5, 16.5 and 19.5 on the long course and at km 6 and 10 on the short one. Poles are allowed, with tips capped at the start. Changing rooms, showers and a bag drop are set up in the hall, where prizes are presented in the early afternoon.