Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB
Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB – Trail 21K
Ordino
Race guide
Updated 18 July 2026
The Trail 21K is the shortest distance at Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB, but do not be fooled by the number: over 25 km it climbs 1400 m and tops out at 2348 m, making it a genuine Pyrenean mountain race rather than a gentle introduction. It starts and finishes in the village of Ordino, sending runners straight up into the high ground above the valley before dropping back down. What defines the Trail 21K is its front-loaded profile. The whole first half is essentially one long climb to the Coll d'Ordino, after which the course gives it all back on the descent to La Cortinada and the run home. It is a race for runners who can pace a big continuous ascent at altitude and then descend fast and in control on tired legs.
The course: Ordino, the Coll d'Ordino, and the drop home
From the start in Ordino at 1312 m, the Trail 21K climbs almost without relief to the Coll d'Ordino at 12.7 km and 1986 m — a gain of nearly 700 m of listed checkpoint elevation, with the course reaching a high point of 2348 m along the way. That means more than half the total distance is spent going up, and the first checkpoint arrives only once you are already high on the mountain. From the col the route reverses and descends steeply to La Cortinada at 21.7 km (1340 m), shedding almost all the elevation gained. The final short leg brings you back to Ordino at 24.9 km (1331 m) to finish. In practice this is a two-part race: a long, honest climb followed by a fast, quad-hammering descent, with only a brief rolling finish to settle the legs before the line.
Where the race is won or lost
The Coll d'Ordino climb is the whole race. Gaining from 1312 m to 1986 m over the first 12.7 km, and cresting at 2348 m, this ascent is where every runner's day is decided. Go out too hard on the lower slopes and the thin air and relentless gradient near the top will grind your pace to a crawl; pace it steadily and you arrive at the col with legs still capable of running the descent. The second decisive zone is the descent from the col to La Cortinada. Dropping roughly 650 m of checkpoint elevation in under 9 km, this is fast, technical, and unforgiving on quads that have just done a long climb. Runners who climbed within themselves can make up real time here, while those who emptied the tank on the ascent will lose it. The tiny climb back up to Ordino at the finish is a final sting to plan for rather than a place to attack.
Pacing and fueling to the cut-offs
The Trail 21K has three cut-offs to respect: Coll d'Ordino (12.7 km) by Sun 11:00, La Cortinada (21.7 km) by Sun 13:30, and the Ordino finish (24.9 km) by Sun 14:00. The Coll d'Ordino cut-off is the one that matters most, because reaching it means having climbed the entire main ascent in time — treat it as your primary pacing target and bank a buffer on the way up. With aid effectively at the col (12.7 km) and again at La Cortinada (21.7 km), the longest carry is the opening climb from Ordino to the Coll d'Ordino. Because that stage is both the hardest and the least supported, carry enough fluid and calories to fuel the full ascent without relying on early aid. After the col the checkpoints come quickly and the trend is downhill, so you can run lighter and drink to thirst on the descent. Keep eating small amounts on the climb rather than waiting for the top.
Terrain and conditions to expect
This is high Andorran mountain terrain, with a high point of 2348 m and a course that spends much of its length above 1300 m. Expect rocky, alpine trail on the upper Coll d'Ordino section, where the ground is exposed and the weather can turn quickly even on a clear morning. The descent to La Cortinada is steep and technical, so shoes with dependable grip and confident downhill running will pay off. At this altitude in the Pyrenees, conditions range from hot valley starts in Ordino to cold, windy, and potentially wet weather up at the col. Carry a layer for the high ground and be prepared for the sun to be strong on the exposed climb. Because the whole race hinges on one big ascent and one big descent, matching your effort to the terrain — patient going up, controlled coming down — is the key to finishing the Trail 21K well.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-17) · official source
0 km · 1312 m · —
12.7 km · 1986 m · Sun 11:00
21.7 km · 1340 m · Sun 13:30
24.9 km · 1331 m · Sun 14:00
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