Val d'Aran by UTMB
Experiència d'Aran (EXP 32K)
Vielha
Race guide
Updated 29 June 2026
The Experiència d'Aran (EXP 32K) is a 32-kilometre mountain trail race held in the Val d'Aran as part of the UTMB World Series regional calendar. Starting and finishing in Vielha (967–974 m), the course packs 2,088 m of vertical gain into a single loop, reaching a high point of 2,222 m. That combination of modest distance and serious climbing — roughly 65 m of ascent per kilometre — makes this a genuine mountain race rather than a fast trail run, demanding solid technical ability and respect for altitude. The race is run on a point-to-point loop that returns you to the heart of Vielha, a compact Aranese valley town that serves as both crew point at the start and the sole official checkpoint at the finish. With only one cut-off — 15:15 on Sunday at the finish line — the time window is fixed and unforgiving if conditions slow the upper mountain sections.
Course & Terrain
The EXP 32K routes entirely through the high terrain surrounding Vielha in the Pyrenean enclave of Val d'Aran. From the start at 967 m the course climbs steadily into alpine mountain country, topping out at 2,222 m before descending back to the valley floor. Expect a mix of rocky singletrack, open ridgeline trails and forest paths typical of the central Pyrenees — surfaces that shift quickly from well-packed dirt to loose shale and rooty woodland depending on aspect and elevation. The loop format means every metre of climbing must be earned before the descent home, with no flat relief sections to recover on.
The Decisive Climbs & Where the Race Is Won or Lost
With 2,088 m of total ascent concentrated into 32 km and a high point of 2,222 m, the race is defined almost entirely by its uphill sections. The push from the valley floor at Vielha to the course's 2,222 m summit is the critical segment: it is long, sustained and at an altitude where oxygen availability and leg fatigue compound each other. Runners who go out too hard on the early climbs will be exposed on the final descent back into Vielha. The descent itself, dropping over 1,200 m of vertical back to 974 m, is where time can be clawed back or destroyed — loose Pyrenean rock rewards confident technical descenders while punishing those who have blown their quads on the way up.
Pacing & Fuelling Strategy
Given the single finish cut-off at 15:15 and no intermediate time checks, pacing discipline falls entirely on the runner. Treat the early climb out of Vielha as a hike-run effort, keeping heart rate controlled to preserve the legs for the upper mountain and the long descent home. Because there is only one crew access point — the start/finish in Vielha — you must be fully self-sufficient for the entire loop; carry all your nutrition and hydration from the gun. For a 32 km race with nearly 2,100 m of climbing, plan for at least 3–5 hours on course depending on your level, and fuel accordingly with 60–90 g of carbohydrate per hour. Electrolyte management matters on warm summer days when the descent back into the sun-exposed valley can dehydrate you faster than expected.
Conditions to Expect
Val d'Aran sits on the northern, Atlantic-facing slope of the Pyrenees, which makes it wetter and more changeable than the Spanish side of the range. Even in summer, the upper mountain above 2,000 m can attract afternoon thunderstorms with little warning, so a lightweight waterproof and an extra layer are essential kit items, not optional extras. Morning starts from Vielha at under 1,000 m can feel mild, but conditions at the 2,222 m high point will be meaningfully cooler and windier. Trail surfaces can be muddy and technical after rain, particularly on shaded north-facing slopes. Check the forecast the evening before and be ready to adjust your clothing layers accordingly.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 967 m · —
9.4 km · 1041 m · —
18.5 km · 1138 m · Sun 12:15
24.5 km · 1778 m · —
33.3 km · 973 m · Sun 15:45
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