MessengerDescobrimentos Trail 2026
Event summary
The Trail dos Descobrimentos 2026 is a trail running event taking place on May 24, 2026, in Belmonte, Castelo Branco, Portugal. It offers three race options: a Long Trail/Sprint of approximately 25 km, a Youth/Mini Trail of approximately 15 km, and a 10 km walk.
The event welcomes participants aged 20 and over for the Long Trail/Sprint, 16 and over for the Youth/Mini Trail, and has no age restrictions for the walk, which is suitable for all levels. It is part of the Beira Baixa Trail Running Circuit, emphasizing its competitive nature and regional significance.
The race routes feature natural landscapes with marked trails through the eastern slopes of Serra da Estrela and Beira Interior, finishing at the historic Belmonte Castle. The event atmosphere combines challenge and enjoyment, with facilities including showers and lunch for all participants, making it a celebration of sport, nature, and discovery.
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Age categories/divisions:
• Trail Longo/Sprint: M Sub-23 and F Sub-23 (20-22 years)
• M Sénior and F Sénior (23-34 years)
• M35 and F35 (35-39 years)
• M40 and F40 (40-44 years)
• M45 and F45 (45-49 years)
• M50 and F50 (50-54 years)
• M55 and F55 (55-59 years)
• M60 and F60 (60-64 years)
• M65 and F65 (65-69 years)
• M70 and F70 (70+ years)
• Trail Mini/Jovem: M Juvenil and F Juvenil (16-17 years)
• M Júnior and F Júnior (18-19 years)
• M Sub-23 and F Sub-23 (20-22 years)
• M Sénior and F Sénior (23-34 years)
• M35 and F35 (35-39 years)
• M40 and F40 (40-44 years)
• M45 and F45 (45-49 years)
• M50 and F50 (50-54 years)
• M55 and F55 (55-59 years)
• M60 and F60 (60-64 years)
• M65 and F65 (65-69 years)
• M70 and F70 (70+ years)
Start/finish locations: Start at Carvalhal Formoso, finish at Castelo de Belmonte
Start times per category/distance: 09:00 for all distances with 5-10 minute intervals between starts
Cut-off times:
• Trail Longo/Sprint: 4 hours
• Trail Mini/Jovem and Caminhada: 3 hours
Bib pick-up time and location:
• May 23, 2026, 11:00–13:00 and 15:00–19:00
• May 24, 2026, 07:00–08:15
• Location: Castelo de Belmonte
Surface types: Mostly dirt roads and natural trails
Course format: Marked trails with red ribbons and signs
Race routes:
• Trail Longo/Sprint: 25 km with 901 m elevation gain
• Trail Mini/Jovem: 13.8 km with 512 m elevation gain
• Caminhada: 10 km with 346 m elevation gain
Timing method: Electronic chip timing included in bib, manual timing in exceptional cases
Toilets and aid station placement: Aid stations with liquids and solids, some also serve as control points
Parking and shuttle details: Transport provided from 08:00 to 08:40 to start location; no responsibility for late arrivals
Prizes: Medals for finishers; prizes for top 3 in each male/female category in Trail Longo/Sprint and Trail Mini/Jovem; no prizes for Caminhada
Location
get directionsRaces
Trail Run 25 km
Trail Run 13.8 km
Walk 10 km
Benefits
🎽 Athlete kit: bag/backpack, bib with name and number, lunch token, event t-shirt (optional), event neck gaiter, brochures and vouchers for Belmonte museums
🏅 Finisher prize: finisher medal at finish line
⏱️ Timing + live results by electronic chip included in bib
🛡️ Insurance: civil liability and personal accident insurance included
🥤 Aid stations: solid and liquid refreshments during the race
🚿 Showers and changing rooms available at the Belmonte Gymnasium before and after the race
🥗 Lunch provided for all participants after the race
🏆 Prizes awarded to top 3 male and female finishers per category in Trail Longo/Sprint and Trail Mini/Jovem