Ultra Trail Sierras del Bandolero 40km: Maratón Bandolera Through Sierra de Grazalema

The Maratón Bandolera is the 40-kilometre distance of the 100 Millas Sierras del Bandolero, a multi-distance trail event organised by Club Triton in Prado del Rey, Cádiz, since approximately 2013. The 2026 edition was the 14th. The course runs point-to-point through the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, accumulating 1,346 metres of elevation gain on rolling limestone terrain. The race is a UTMB Index event, running alongside the 160-kilometre and 81-kilometre distances on the same weekend in March.

The course runs through the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park in the province of Cádiz, Andalucía — one of Spain's most biodiverse protected areas and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1977. The area is famous for the Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos (White Villages Route), the endemic Spanish fir forests known as pinsapo, griffon vulture colonies, and the highest annual rainfall index in Spain. The race hub is Prado del Rey, a white village at the heart of the sierra. The route crosses between the Cádiz and Málaga sides of the Natural Park.

The entry fee is approximately 60 euros. Non-federated runners should budget an additional 5 to 10 euros for the mandatory one-day sports insurance, and third-party registration platform commission fees may apply. A medical certificate is required. The race has not historically sold out quickly, but accommodation in the Grazalema area is limited and should be booked early. Check clubtriton.es for the current 2027 registration window and exact fee.

Club Triton, the organiser, describes the 100 Millas Sierras del Bandolero as the oldest ultra in Andalucía. The 2026 edition was the 14th, placing the founding year at approximately 2013. The name Bandolero — meaning outlaw or highwayman in Spanish — refers to the bandit tradition historically associated with the Sierra de Grazalema mountain range. The Maratón Bandolera 40km has run as a companion distance since the early editions, alongside the flagship 160km and the Bandolerita 81km.

The 2027 edition runs March 5–7 from Prado del Rey in the Sierra de Grazalema, Cádiz province. The closest airport is Málaga (AGP), approximately 132 minutes by car; alternatives include Seville (SVQ), Jerez (XRY), and Gibraltar (GIB). Public transport is limited — buses to Ronda or Ubrique are possible but require a taxi for the final leg. A car is strongly recommended. Accommodation in Grazalema and the white villages is limited; Ronda (approximately 30–40 minutes away) is a practical alternative base.