Mallorca by UTMB®
Mallorca by UTMB® – Camins de s'Arxiduc (CDA)
VALLDEMOSSA → Port De Sóller
Race guide
Updated 18 July 2026
Camins de s'Arxiduc (CDA) is the 26 km short course at Mallorca by UTMB, running point-to-point from the mountain village of Valldemossa down to Port de Sóller on the coast. It takes its name from the Archduke's paths — the historic trails laid out above Valldemossa — and although it is the entry distance of the event, it is a genuine mountain outing with 896 m of climbing and a high point of 933 m packed into a short, decisive route through the Serra de Tramuntana. The shape of the CDA is unusual and important: it starts high, at 407 m in Valldemossa, climbs hard to its 933 m high point early, and then spends most of its length descending toward the sea. That makes it a course defined by one big early ascent and a long, technical run-off to the coast, rather than a steady rolling profile.
The Course and Terrain
The CDA starts in Valldemossa at 407 m, already well up in the Tramuntana, and immediately climbs onto the Arxiduc paths toward the course high point of 933 m. That opening ascent — more than 500 m of gain concentrated in the first part of the route — is the signature of the race and the reason the 896 m total feels so front-loaded. The terrain here is classic Tramuntana: rocky mule trails, dry-stone steps and exposed limestone with expansive views over the coast. After cresting the high ground the course turns decisively downhill. It descends to the village of Deià at 12.7 km (132 m), then continues down to the coast at Béns d'Avall at 20.8 km (195 m), before a final short section to the Port de Sóller finish at 26 km, essentially at sea level (1 m). With only four points on the route — start, Deià, Béns d'Avall and finish — the CDA is a compact race, but the long technical descent from the 933 m high point all the way to the Mediterranean is a serious test of downhill legs.
Where the Race Is Decided
The CDA is decided in two clear places. The first is the early climb out of Valldemossa to the 933 m high point. Because it comes almost from the gun, there is a strong temptation to attack it before the body is warmed up. Runners who over-cook this ascent pay for it on the long descent that follows, where fatigued, unsteady legs cost time and invite mistakes on the rock. The second and larger crux is the descent itself. From the high point the course loses more than 900 m of elevation down to Deià, Béns d'Avall and finally the coast at Port de Sóller. On technical Tramuntana trail this is a quad-punishing, foot-placement-heavy descent, and the runners who move best here are those who climbed within themselves and kept their legs fresh for the drop. Strong, controlled downhill running from the high point to the sea is where places are gained and lost on this course.
How to Pace and Fuel It
The CDA runs to a set of afternoon cut-offs: Deià at 12.7 km closes Sun 12:00, Béns d'Avall at 20.8 km closes Sun 13:30, and the Port de Sóller finish closes Sun 14:30. That gives a reasonable window for a 26 km course, but the tight sequence from Deià to the finish means you cannot afford to be caught out by the early climb — reach Deià with time in hand and the rest of the race is about executing the descent cleanly. Aid and support are spread across just three points beyond the start, with roughly 12.7 km to Deià, then 8 km to Béns d'Avall, then a short 5 km to the line. Carry enough fluid and fuel to cover the long opening climb-and-descent to Deià comfortably, since that is the biggest single block without support. Because the effort is front-loaded on the climb and then sustained through a long descent, fuel early rather than saving it, and use the Deià and Béns d'Avall checkpoints to top up for the run into Port de Sóller.
The Conditions to Expect
The CDA covers a wide elevation band for such a short race, from the 933 m high point down to sea level at Port de Sóller, so conditions can change noticeably over 26 km. The higher, exposed sections along the Arxiduc paths can be breezy and cooler, while the descent toward the coast and the finish at 1 m tends to be warmer, with sun exposure on open limestone trail. Plan hydration for that warming trend, especially through the middle and lower descent where shade is limited. Footing is the defining challenge. The Serra de Tramuntana's rocky, dry-stone trails demand grippy shoes and careful foot placement, and the long descent from the high point rewards runners who are confident and controlled on technical ground. Poles can help on the steep early climb, and even on a short course it is worth carrying a light layer for the exposed high section. Respect the front-loaded profile — climb steady, descend smart — and the CDA is a spectacular, fast-feeling introduction to Mallorca by UTMB.
Race Mallorca by UTMB® – Camins de s'Arxiduc (CDA) with Crux
Get the strategy, fuelling and crew plan dialled for this exact course — built from the real route, climbs and cut-offs. Your first race is free.
Plan this race — freeCourse profile
Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-17) · official source
0 km · 407 m · —
12.7 km · 132 m · Sun 12:00
20.8 km · 195 m · Sun 13:30
26 km · 1 m · Sun 14:30
More races
More UTMB World Series
More in Spain
Similar distance (20–50 km)
Racing Mallorca by UTMB® – Camins de s'Arxiduc (CDA)?
Get a complete race strategy — pacing, fuelling, crew plan and the crux moments — built on this exact course.
Plan your race in Crux →Strava is your training. Crux is your races.