Santa Vall
Two-stage gravel festival in the Vall de Llémena. 120 km + 82 km, 1,600 m + 1,100 m of positive elevation. Organised by The Traka.
The race
Santa Vall is the gravel festival of the Vall de Llémena, organised by The Traka team in the hills around Sant Gregori, on the doorstep of Girona. Two stages, two days, two distinct personalities: Stage 1 opens with 120 km and 1,600 m of positive elevation; Stage 2 closes with 82 km and 1,100 m. The terrain is the Vall de Llémena, the web of trails and tracks linking Sant Grau, Santa Afra, Sant Aniol de Finestres and Sant Martí de Llémena. Gravel with character, without the media spotlight of May’s Traka.
What makes it hard
- Accumulation: day two starts with the fatigue of day one. No shortcuts. How you manage your effort in Stage 1 decides how you arrive at Stage 2.
- February in Girona: 5-12°C temperatures, possible rain and mud. The Vall de Llémena punishes those who come underdressed or under-prepared mechanically.
- Open roads: the tracks are not closed to traffic. You share the road with vehicles, manage your attention and cannot switch off.
- Logistics between stages: sleep, eat, recover and show up rested for the next morning’s start. For many cyclists, this is harder than the legs.
How we prepare you
We plan the final two blocks of the program with emphasis on daily load accumulation. Rides of 4-5 hours in zone 2-3 followed by active recovery. Nutrition protocol designed to reload glycogen between stages without overloading the digestive system. Mental management for day two: how to start when your legs remember yesterday.
Limited spots per edition. If you want to open your year with two days of gravel in Girona, apply.
How we prepare you
for Santa Vall.
3 months of PUSH TRAINING 360 — periodised training, race-specific nutrition and sports psychology — designed so you arrive in Sant Gregori with the fitness, the mindset and the plan this race demands.
Going to race it?
A personalized program designed for cyclists.
Questions about Santa Vall
When does the Santa Vall 2027 take place?
The 2027 edition takes place on 6 and 7 February in Sant Gregori (Girona): Stage 1 on Friday the 6th and Stage 2 on Saturday the 7th. Registration opens on 29 July at 12:00 (CEST) at santavall.com.
How many stages does the Santa Vall have and what are the distances?
Two mandatory stages: the Santa Vall is completed as a two-day format and you cannot enter a single stage. Both start and finish at La Pineda de Sant Gregori. Stage 1 (6 February) covers 120 km with 1,600 m of positive elevation. Stage 2 (7 February) covers 82 km with 1,100 m of positive elevation.
What kind of terrain does the Santa Vall cover?
Gravel: dirt and gravel tracks, tarmac sections and trails fully open to traffic — tractors, locals, hunters. It is not a closed circuit. The natural beauty of the Vall de Llémena dominates throughout.
How many feed stations are there and what do they offer?
Stage 1 has feed stations at Pista Bordils (km 36, liquids), El Trust (km 68, full feed with water and a mechanic point), Ermita Sant Pere Sestronques (km 104.7) and the finish. Stage 2 has a feed station at Santa Coloma Residencial (km 42, with 226ERS products, fruit, nuts and savoury food) and a finish line with hot food. There is a medical point, on-course mechanical assistance, bag drop, a bike wash area and parking.
How do I prepare for the Santa Vall if it is my first two-stage race?
The main challenge is recovering between stages. Build endurance with 4-5 hour rides in zone 2-3 and train for active recovery: sleep quality, post-effort nutrition and a dose of easy spinning the next day. The twelve weeks of PUSH TRAINING 360 include specific accumulated stage blocks.
Is the Santa Vall a competitive race?
No. The Santa Vall is officially a non-competitive cycling outing. Strict compliance with the Highway Code is mandatory. There is an international field with elite athletes, but no classification or race chip.
Who is the Santa Vall for?
For cyclists with experience on long gravel rides who want to add a stage race to their winter calendar. The format demands two days of accumulated effort with energy management between stages — it is not a beginner event.
Where should I stay if I am travelling to the Santa Vall?
Sant Gregori is 10-15 minutes from Girona city. The easiest option is to stay in Girona and drive to the start. Girona has a wide range of cycling-friendly accommodation. Book well in advance: February in Girona coincides with the start of gravel season and hotels fill up quickly.
What bike and kit do you recommend for the Santa Vall?
Gravel bike with 40-45 mm tubeless tyres. The mixed terrain rewards stability over stiffness. Bring front and rear lights (early February starts), winter kit for 5-10°C on the move and at least two tubeless repair systems. Both stages start and finish at La Pineda de Sant Gregori, so your bike and baggage logistics are the same on both days.