The North Face Transgrancanaria
Transgrancanaria Starter
Santa Lucia de Tirajana → Tejeda
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
The Transgrancanaria Starter is the entry-level race of the prestigious The North Face Transgrancanaria festival, covering 23 km from Santa Lucia de Tirajana up to the heart of Gran Canaria's central massif and back down into the canyon town of Tejeda. With 1,439 m of climbing and a high point of 1,719 m, this is far from a gentle introduction — the route packs serious vertical into a compact distance, taking runners through some of the island's most dramatic volcanic landscapes. Despite its "starter" label, the course demands genuine mountain running fitness and sound judgement on rocky, exposed terrain. The race runs in a single day, with cut-offs spread across five checkpoints from the start in Santa Lucia de Tirajana (685 m) to the finish in Tejeda (1,048 m). The overall profile is a big climb followed by a long, technical descent — a shape that rewards runners who can climb efficiently and still find their legs on the way down. For many runners this will be their first taste of island ultra running; the combination of altitude, heat and rugged trail makes preparation and pacing critical.
Course & Terrain
The route begins in Santa Lucia de Tirajana at 685 m and wastes no time gaining elevation. The first 5 km to the checkpoint at Tunte (888 m) offer a relatively moderate warm-up on trails typical of Gran Canaria's southern flanks — rocky underfoot, with loose volcanic grit demanding attention even early in the race. From Tunte the course climbs steeply and relentlessly for nearly 10 km, topping out near El Garanon Lodge at 1,679 m — just 40 m shy of the 1,719 m high point reached somewhere in that upper section. This mid-section is the heart of the race: long, sustained ascent on exposed ridge and pine-forest trails where the gradient rarely eases. After El Garanon Lodge the route descends sharply to La Culata at 1,222 m — a drop of nearly 460 m in 3.8 km — before the final run down into Tejeda at 1,048 m. The descents are characterised by loose rock, stone steps and narrow paths carved into the caldera walls, requiring confident footwork and well-protected toes. Trekking poles are worth considering for the long climb; they become a liability on the technical drops unless you are comfortable running with them.
The Decisive Climbs & Descents
The race is effectively decided between Tunte and El Garanon Lodge. This 9.8 km stretch climbs approximately 791 m — an average gradient that will expose any weakness in climbing fitness or pacing discipline. Runners who push too hard here arrive at the crew point at El Garanon Lodge with blown quads and over an hour of cut-off buffer already burned. The cut-off at El Garanon Lodge is 13:00, giving roughly 3 hours from the start, so the arithmetic is tight for slower runners. The descent from El Garanon Lodge through La Culata and down to Tejeda is where places change hands. The 4.3 km from La Culata to the finish drops 174 m into the canyon, but the cumulative fatigue of 14+ km and nearly 1,500 m of climbing means the legs are already loaded. Strong downhill runners can make up significant time here; runners who have overcrowded the climb will find this section punishing. The final cut-off at Tejeda is 15:30, leaving 90 minutes from La Culata — enough time if you are moving steadily, but unforgiving if you slow to a shuffle.
Pacing Strategy
Given the front-loaded climbing profile, the cardinal rule is to hike the climb and run everything else. Start conservatively out of Santa Lucia de Tirajana — the early kilometres at altitude will feel deceptively manageable in the cool morning air, but the real ascent begins after Tunte. Use the 5 km to Tunte as a warm-up and arrive there well within cut-off, then settle into a steady power-hike pace for the long haul to El Garanon Lodge. Heart rate or perceived effort — not pace — should guide you on this section; the gradient will make any target pace meaningless. At El Garanon Lodge (the only crew access point), take a short but purposeful stop: swap bottles, eat real food if your crew has it, assess your legs. The 90-minute cut-off window from El Garanon to La Culata (3.8 km, 13:00 to 14:00) is narrow — do not linger. Once through La Culata with 4.3 km to go, you can open up the effort knowing the finish is within reach. Anyone targeting the Tejeda cut-off of 15:30 should aim to leave La Culata no later than 14:30 to leave a buffer for the technical final descent.
Fuelling & Hydration
At 23 km with nearly 1,500 m of climbing, most runners will be on course for 3.5 to 5+ hours depending on fitness. That means fuelling matters even if the distance looks short on paper. Aim to eat something every 45–60 minutes from the gun; the long climb suppresses appetite, and arriving at El Garanon Lodge under-fuelled will cost you on the descent. Gels, chews or real-food snacks (dates, bananas) all work — the key is consistency. Hydration is particularly important on Gran Canaria, where February race-day temperatures can swing from cold and windy at altitude to warm and sunny on the lower trails. Carry at least a litre out of each checkpoint; the 9.8 km climb from Tunte to El Garanon is long with no intermediate aid. The crew point at El Garanon Lodge is your one opportunity for a full resupply, so coordinate with your crew precisely — quantities, food type and any kit changes should be planned before race morning.
Conditions to Expect
The Transgrancanaria Starter takes place in late February or early March, when Gran Canaria's central mountains can present a wide range of conditions within a single day. At the 1,719 m high point, cloud, strong wind and temperatures close to freezing are all possible, even as the lower trails bask in mild sunshine. A mandatory kit list is enforced by the race organisation and should be taken seriously — a windproof layer, emergency blanket and adequate warm clothing are not optional extras at these elevations. Below the tree line the terrain dries out quickly after rain, but volcanic grit remains loose and slippery throughout. In clear conditions the route offers extraordinary views over the caldera and down into the ravines surrounding Tejeda — a significant mental boost on the final descent. Wind is the most variable factor; headwinds on the exposed upper ridge can slow the climb considerably and should be factored into your pacing buffer, particularly if you are targeting cut-off times.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 685 m · Thu 09:00
5 km · 888 m · Thu 10:10
14.8 km · 1679 m · Thu 13:00
18.6 km · 1222 m · Thu 14:00
22.9 km · 1048 m · Thu 15:30
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