{"id":47947,"date":"2026-04-30T16:30:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T15:30:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/?p=47947"},"modified":"2026-04-30T16:30:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T15:30:54","slug":"from-road-running-to-trail-running-how-to-make-the-transition-and-6-races-in-portugal-to-get-started","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/from-road-running-to-trail-running-how-to-make-the-transition-and-6-races-in-portugal-to-get-started\/","title":{"rendered":"From road running to trail running: how to make the transition (and 6 races in Portugal to get started)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you already run regularly on the road and feel curious about trying trail running, this might be the perfect moment to take that step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The transition doesn\u2019t need to be complicated. Many runners discover that trail running brings new motivation, improves endurance, and makes training more enjoyable and varied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few practical tips to help you make the switch \u2014 plus some great trail races in Portugal coming up soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What changes when you move from road running to trail running?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest difference is the terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On trails you\u2019ll typically find:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>climbs and descents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>uneven surfaces<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>technical sections with rocks, roots or sand<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>less focus on pace and more focus on effort<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike road races, trail running is not about maintaining a constant pace. It\u2019s about adapting to the terrain and enjoying the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to transition safely<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t need to change everything at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A few simple suggestions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Start with shorter or less technical trails<\/strong><br>Choose distances similar to what you already run comfortably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Accept walking on climbs<\/strong><br>Even experienced trail runners do this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Train on trails whenever possible<\/strong><br>Even one off-road session per week makes a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pick a race with moderate elevation for your first event<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most importantly: approach trail running with curiosity rather than performance pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6 trail races in Portugal that are great to start with<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re thinking about trying your first trail race soon, these upcoming events are excellent options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">T\u00d4R em Movimento \u2014 Loul\u00e9 (May 10)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"yoXCrUrE69\"><a href=\"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/event\/tor-in-motion\/\">T\u00d4R in motion<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;T\u00d4R in motion&#8221; &#8212; RaceFinder\" src=\"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/event\/tor-in-motion\/embed\/#?secret=XuSVzldW6a#?secret=yoXCrUrE69\" data-secret=\"yoXCrUrE69\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A great introduction to trail running in southern Portugal, with welcoming atmosphere and accessible routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">IX Lisboa Green Trail \u2014 Lisbon (May 24)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"pEYvf5QkGR\"><a href=\"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/event\/ix-lisbon-green-trail\/\">IX Lisbon Green Trail<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;IX Lisbon Green Trail&#8221; &#8212; RaceFinder\" src=\"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/event\/ix-lisbon-green-trail\/embed\/#?secret=PMlQLDvfEq#?secret=pEYvf5QkGR\" data-secret=\"pEYvf5QkGR\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best entry-level trail experiences near the city, combining nature with easy logistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">IV Trail Praia Mag8 \u2014 Sintra (May 24)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"SZDHqxckcn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/event\/iv-trail-praia-mag8\/\">IV Trail Praia Mag8<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;IV Trail Praia Mag8&#8221; &#8212; RaceFinder\" src=\"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/event\/iv-trail-praia-mag8\/embed\/#?secret=KSPviFzeEc#?secret=SZDHqxckcn\" data-secret=\"SZDHqxckcn\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Perfect for runners looking for scenic routes between mountains and coastline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trail Encostas do T\u00e2mega \u2014 Penafiel (May 24)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"V3vYMCh3x4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/event\/tamega-hills-trail-and-walk-2026\/\">T\u00c2MEGA HILLS TRAIL AND WALK 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;T\u00c2MEGA HILLS TRAIL AND WALK 2026&#8221; &#8212; RaceFinder\" src=\"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/event\/tamega-hills-trail-and-walk-2026\/embed\/#?secret=qeMmWqxtOz#?secret=V3vYMCh3x4\" data-secret=\"V3vYMCh3x4\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A solid choice in northern Portugal with balanced terrain and beautiful surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Furnas Night Trail \u2014 Povoa\u00e7\u00e3o (May 30)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"9Ycg9p6MzR\"><a href=\"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/event\/furnas-night-trail\/\">Furnas Night Trail<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Furnas Night Trail&#8221; &#8212; RaceFinder\" src=\"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/event\/furnas-night-trail\/embed\/#?secret=1vyNJruH9C#?secret=9Ycg9p6MzR\" data-secret=\"9Ycg9p6MzR\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A unique night-trail experience in the Azores, ideal if you\u2019re looking for something different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trilhos na Natureza \u2014 Oliveira do Bairro (June 6)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"klBUb2lSxP\"><a href=\"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/event\/oliveira-do-bairro-trails-in-nature\/\">Oliveira do Bairro &#8211; Trails in Nature<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Oliveira do Bairro &#8211; Trails in Nature&#8221; &#8212; RaceFinder\" src=\"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/event\/oliveira-do-bairro-trails-in-nature\/embed\/#?secret=AshF8SW62c#?secret=klBUb2lSxP\" data-secret=\"klBUb2lSxP\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>An accessible and beginner-friendly trail race perfect for your first experience off-road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trail running might change the way you see running<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many runners try trail running just once and end up adding it permanently to their calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Less focus on pace.<br>More connection with nature.<br>More variety in training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you already run on the road, this might be the right moment to explore a new side of running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 Discover more trail races in Portugal on <a href=\"http:\/\/racefinder.pt\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"racefinder.pt\">RaceFinder<\/a> and choose your next adventure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you already run regularly on the road and feel curious about trying trail running, this might be the perfect moment to take that step. The transition doesn\u2019t need to be complicated. Many runners discover that trail running brings new motivation, improves endurance, and makes training more enjoyable and varied. Here are a few practical [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":47949,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-running"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47947","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47947"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47947\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47962,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47947\/revisions\/47962"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47949"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}