The municipality of Zambrana is set to organise the first edition of the Txulato Trail on Sunday, 15 November. This mountain race aims to combine sport, nature, and heritage while showcasing the traditional paths and surroundings of the four localities within the municipality: Berganzo, Ocio, Portilla, and Zambrana.
Organised by the Zambrana Town Hall, the event is supported by the Department of Culture and Sport of the Provincial Council of Álava and Vital Fundazioa. During a press conference, Ana del Val, the councillor for Culture and Sport, emphasised the role of sport in connecting citizens with their territory and heritage. “The Txulato Trail is a prime example of how a sporting initiative can provide an opportunity to discover our environment, explore our towns, and appreciate their natural and cultural wealth. Our department aims to promote projects that encourage sports participation and highlight the value of our territory,” she stated.
The mayor of Zambrana, Trini Zarza, noted that the Txulato Trail originated from a group of local young people who enjoy walking and running in the area's mountains. “We want to showcase the natural and cultural resources of our four councils and reveal everything Zambrana has to offer. The race is an opportunity to discover our paths and iconic sites, such as the castles of Portilla and Lanos, through sport and in contact with nature,” she explained.
Arantxa Ibáñez de Opacua, director of Vital Fundazioa, highlighted the importance of local communities mobilising residents and volunteers to organise events like this that raise the profile of the town and showcase its environmental and cultural richness. She added, “Vital Fundazioa also supports the event by providing resources for sports equipment through our annual call, which in 2026 allocated over €150,000 to 66 sports entities in Álava.”
The race will feature two distances to accommodate varying levels of fitness. The long route will cover 26.75 kilometres with a positive elevation gain of 1,019 metres, while the shorter option will span 12.9 kilometres with a 491-metre elevation gain. Both routes will allow participants to explore the area's landscape and significant heritage sites.
The long course will reach an altitude of 868 metres, passing by the Zabalate Castle and the localities of Portilla, Berganzo, and Ocio. It will also include an ascent to the Lanos Castle before returning to Zambrana. Meanwhile, the short route will ascend to Zabalate Castle and continue towards Santa Cruz del Fierro, following the La Rasa path and the Hoyo ravine before completing the final kilometres to the finish line.
The start and finish points will be located at the frontón (a type of sports court) in Zambrana. The long race will commence at 10:00, followed by the short race at 10:10. Participants can collect their race numbers on Saturday, 14 November, from 17:00 to 19:00 at the frontón, and on Sunday, 15 November, from 07:30 to 09:30 at the starting area.
The organisation will provide various services for participants, including baggage storage, toilets, hot showers, and refreshment stations. Additionally, the event will receive support from the Red Cross and a team of volunteers to ensure the smooth running of the race and adherence to safety and environmental protection regulations.
With this inaugural edition, Zambrana adds a new event to its sporting calendar, offering a challenge of mountain running while providing an opportunity to discover the territory, its landscapes, and its heritage.
