Balutia 2027: What’s new

Same essence, with a few new additions

The second edition of Balutia already has a date. It will be on April 30, 2027. We will once again have 870 km and 13,000 m of elevation gain. It’s not that the elevation gain has increased that much, but rather that we have adjusted the figure to an average based on what participants in the 2026 edition recorded on their GPS devices.

This year, we’re moving CP3 from El Partenón de Don Benito to the Antigua Iglesia de Santa Ana, in Magacela. But if you want to see the Partenón, don’t worry, we’ll still be passing through there.

The new CP3 location was a discovery we made during one of our track-checking days, two months before the 2026 edition. We were in the small town in the province of Badajoz, climbing the steep streets, when we discovered a beautiful cobbled path leading to the top. Up there, you’ll find the church, a castle with little left of its original structure, and a historic cemetery.

I don’t think anyone is buried there anymore. Which seems perfectly logical to me, as carrying the deceased up that path must be quite a challenge. So to make it up there, you have to be alive, and very much alive, because it’s a demanding climb. Anyone who makes it to the top will immediately understand why it’s such a special place.

Antigua Iglesia de Santa Ana, Magacela, Badajoz

What stays the same

As you may already know, Balutia is a historic territory, Fahs al-Ballut, which was later divided by today’s administrative boundaries. The route is a tribute to its former border, so it will always be our guide, our own particular rule. The beacon that guides the design of the track.

We will also keep the same philosophy of welcoming all kinds of riders and paces, from the fastest racers to those taking a more leisurely, touring-style approach. With 133 hours, riding 150 km a day should be enough to complete the route and earn your finisher’s medal.

We will also once again hold our welcome gathering at La Costanilla Taberna, our home, the best bar in Pozoblanco, and quite possibly in all of Los Pedroches.

Registration is now open for Balutia 2027

Registration is now open, and quite a few riders are already in, with the date marked in their calendars and their excitement about discovering this land growing by the day. There are still plenty of things to discover, but we can’t tell you everything today. So, if you’re interested, keep an eye on the website and on Balutia’s Instagram profile, where we share updates more quickly. That’s all for this time. See you soon! If you feel like it!

Text: @davidmolinagrande

Photos: @davidmolinagrande y @patassat