Val d'Aran by UTMB 55km: Top1 Descent Rank 39/390, Colomèrs Glacial Lake Cirque, and 4 UTMB Running Stones in the Only Spanish Territory Facing the Atlantic

The PDA 55km has the 39th deepest single descent of 390 European trail races — a 1,114m drop at -19.88% average gradient, which is near 1:5 grade and among the most extreme single-descent gradients in the European database. Average downhill gradient ranks 342nd of 390 (INVERTED: only 48 races descend more steeply on average). With official D- of 3,700m exceeding D+ of 3,300m by 400m, the course descends more than it climbs. Just 9.45% of terrain is flat (rank 113/390 = fairly mountainous). The combination of a near-1:5 single descent, steep average descents throughout, and more total descent than ascent makes the PDA one of the most technically demanding 55km downhill profiles in European trail running.

Colomèrs is the largest glacial lake cirque in the Pyrenees — a high-altitude basin shaped by ancient glaciers, containing over 20 lakes at elevations above 2,000m within the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park and its surrounding protected area. The course name PDA stands for 'Peades d'Aigua' in Aranese — the regional Gascon Occitan language of the Val d'Aran — which translates as 'Footsteps of Water,' directly referencing the lake cirque landscape that defines the route. The 1,247m single ascent (top1 ascent rank 85/390) climbs to this lake basin before the main descent sequence. Running through Colomèrs is what distinguishes the PDA from other UTMB World Series 50km-category races in Spain.

The PDA 55km is classified as a UTMB World Series race in the 50km category, awarding 4 Running Stones. UTMB Running Stones are the qualification currency for the UTMB Chamonix finals — runners accumulate Stones across World Series races to access the main UTMB event. At 4 Running Stones per finish, the PDA is among the higher-value 50km-category qualifiers in the World Series. The race has been sold out every year since its inaugural 2021 edition. For 2027 qualification, check registration timelines at valdaran.utmb.world — previous editions have required early registration to secure a place. Maximum race time is 14 hours.

The Val d'Aran is a valley in the Pyrenees that occupies the north-facing (Atlantic) slope of the mountain range — making it the only territory in Spain that faces the Atlantic rather than the Mediterranean. As a result, it has a wetter, greener climate than the rest of Catalonia and Spain, and culturally it has its own language: Aranese, a variety of Gascon Occitan that is co-official with Catalan and Spanish. The valley is governed autonomously by the Conselh Generau d'Aran. Vielha is the capital. The proximity to Aigüestortes National Park gives the race access to some of the most protected and scenically extraordinary terrain in Spain.

Entry is EUR224 standard (approximately EUR2.04 per kilometre), plus UTMB mandatory services and administration fees of approximately 8% of registration price. The 2026 edition sold out (SoldOutStatus: Was Sold Out); registration is via the UTMB registration platform. For 2027, monitor the official site and register as soon as slots open — Val d'Aran by UTMB events sell out across all distances. The Val d'Aran is remote: Toulouse Airport (TLS) is the closest hub at approximately 3-4.5 hours by road; Barcelona (BCN) and Zaragoza (ZAZ) are 3.5-5.5 hours. A car is strongly recommended — public transport options exist (some buses from Toulouse and Barcelona) but are slow and infrequent. Accommodation in Vielha books out fast for race weekend in July — plan and book well in advance. The CDH starts at 06:00 Friday from Les (a satellite village, not Vielha itself) and finishes in Vielha; shuttle or car logistics to the Les start require planning. UTMB 100K category; 6 Running Stones.