Chestnut Trail (Sorbeda del Sil) 2027

In the Alto Sil valley, chestnuts are part of local tradition. Every autumn, villages hold a magosto, a gathering where chestnuts are roasted over a fire and shared. Sorbeda del Sil, a village in the municipality of Páramo del Sil in León’s mountains, put a mountain race in front of theirs. The result is the Trail de la Castaña, on Saturday 17 October 2026, when the chestnut groves are turning gold.

Three ways to take part

In 2025 there were three options:

	Distance	Climb
Trail de la Castaña	19 km	+1,000 m
Speed Trail Castañina	10 km	+400 m
Andarina (walk)	14 km	+500 m

That’s 1,000 m of climbing in only 19 km, so the long course is steep. Expect climbs through the chestnut and oak woods on the valley sides rather than smooth forest tracks.

Not just a local race

The race is organised by Club de Montaña La Bóveda, from Páramo del Sil. It’s also the home club of Manuel Merillas, one of Spain’s best-known mountain runners. In 2025, the 5th edition was the Castilla y León short-distance mountain running championship, and Merillas won the men’s race. Claudia Corral won the women’s race. The fastest runners go fast, but most of the field are there for the day out.

The magosto

The real reward comes after the finish. In 2025, more than 500 people sat down to the popular meal, followed by a DJ and a magosto with free roast chestnuts for everyone. Your family and friends can join in even if they don’t race.

Getting there

Sorbeda del Sil is in the upper Sil valley, north-west of Ponferrada. The final stretch is on narrow mountain roads, so allow extra time on race morning. Entries and 2026 details are on GedSports.