When and where does the Bimbache Trail start?
The Bimbache Trail has three starts in three different places, according to the organisers' programme. The race runs on Saturday 14 November 2026 in Villa de Valverde on El Hierro.
The longest route, the Larga at 32 kilometres, sets off at 09:30 from the Playas near the Parador de Turismo. The Media at 22 kilometres follows at 11:00 in La Llanía.
The Mini at 13 kilometres starts at 11:45 in San Andrés, on the ITV side. The 2-kilometre Bimbache Kids race for under-13s is in the race listings, yet the programme gives no start time for it.
How do runners and companions get to the start points?
Nobody needs a car to reach the start points on 14 November. The organiser lays on guaguas (buses), and all of them leave from Valverde bus station.
The first bus leaves at 08:00 for the Playas near the Parador de Turismo, where the start is at 09:30. The bus to La Llanía leaves at 10:00, for the Media start at 11:00.
The bus to San Andrés leaves at 11:00, and the Mini starts at 11:45. The programme does not say whether spectators may ride along or whether the service costs anything.
The programme also says nothing about parking. Road closures are not mentioned either.
What awaits runners at the finish in Valverde?
Tired legs get help at the finish in Valverde, where the organiser offers physiotherapy from 12:00 to 16:00, next to the medical service. Showers are open at the Centro Deportivo de Valverde over the same hours.
The centre stands on Camino Los Cantos, beside the football pitch. It is supported by the Cabildo de El Hierro (island government).
All participants get pasta with a choice of sauces from 12:30 to 16:00 at the Casino de Valverde. The address is Calle San Francisco 8, on the corner of Calle Jesús Nazareno.
The building stands above Valverde's pharmacy. Runners also pick up their race numbers there.
Medals and trophies follow at about 17:00 on the stage in Calle San Francisco, in front of the Casino. At every start point, a vehicle collects personal belongings and carries them to the finish, where it hands them back.
What is the course like, and what should runners pack?
The programme warns that it may rain and several descents may be muddy, depending on the weather. The organiser singles out the Ruta del Agua, a section of the course.
The races have compulsory and recommended kit, but the list is missing from the programme text available. Runners should check it on the official website, the organiser's website.
A route description starts at the Playas beside the Roque de la Bonanza and runs through the El Morcillo pine forest. It then passes Malpaso, Cruz de los Reyes, La Llanía and Jinama, before the Árbol Garoé and Valverde.
The description does not state the distance. It is not confirmed that the route runs this way in 2026.
For the 2024 edition, a sports website gives 2,000 metres of climbing on the 32 kilometres, 700 on the 22 and 400 on the 13. These figures are not confirmed for 2026.
Who were the Bimbaches, who give the race its name?
The Bimbaches, also called Bimbapes, were the original inhabitants of El Hierro and came from nearby Africa, according to the Cabildo's history pages. They put up little resistance, and European farmers soon settled the island.
The Árbol Garoé is the “sacred tree” of legend, said to have supplied the island with water. Sources date its fall to a hurricane in 1610, and the water story counts as legend rather than documented history.
The tree stands in the protected landscape area of Ventejís in the municipality of Valverde. Valverde is the island's capital and includes the port of Puerto de La Estaca and the airport.
The race motto is “Feel the trail of the Bimbaches”. The route description speaks of old paths once used in times of drought.
What is still open before the weekend?
The sources have not confirmed the entry fee, registration deadline or registration link for 2026, nor the number of participants. Anyone who wants to run should ask the organiser directly.
The 2025 edition ran on Saturday 15 November with about 600 runners expected. The Ayuntamiento de Valverde (town council) and the club In Corpore Sane organised it, with the Cabildo de El Hierro.
That year there was also a 10-kilometre sendero (path walk). It is not confirmed whether it will be offered in 2026.
The programme also lists Friday 13 November, but the text for that day is missing from the version available. Race numbers are handed out at the Casino de Valverde.
In 2025, collection was on the Friday before the race. The 2026 time is not fixed.
The organisers reserve the right to change the programme. They plan to announce any changes on social media.