Trail Friends of the Mountain

The Vila Baleeira Trail Run (VBT) is a trail running event taking place on November 15, 2026, in the municipality of Lajes do Pico, Pico Island, Azores. Organized by the Sports Department of the Municipality of Lajes do Pico, the event aims to provide athletes with a unique trail running experience across natural trails, rural paths and water lines of the region.

The event includes four participation formats: Trail (30 km), Trail Sprint (18 km), Trail Curto (10 km) and a non-competitive walk (8 km). The 30 km race also serves as the final stage of the Portugal Trail Cup (ATRP) for the 2025/2026 season.

Participants will explore diverse natural landscapes around Lajes do Pico, with courses designed to offer different levels of technical and physical difficulty suitable for both experienced runners and newcomers to trail running.

The GRIFO24h is a 24-hour endurance running event taking place on November 14-15, 2026, at the Unidade de Intervenção da GNR in Pontinha, Lisbon. The event includes multiple races: 24 hours, 12 hours, 3 hours, and a Night Marathon, all designed to test physical and mental resilience.

Open to individuals and teams, the event welcomes participants aged 18 and over for most races, with the 3-hour race allowing minors accompanied by an adult. It is part of the national 24-hour endurance running circuit for 2026, alongside two other events.

The race course is a certified 2.235 km closed loop inside the GNR barracks, featuring mostly asphalt and some dirt surfaces. The event promotes camaraderie, strategy, and health culture, with a solidarity component supporting vulnerable families through food donations.

The 9th São Macário Ultra Trail is a trail running event taking place on November 14 and 15, 2026, in São Pedro do Sul, Portugal. This event offers four distances: Ultra Trail (51 km with 4124m elevation gain), Trail (31 km, 2109m), Trail Sprint (21 km, 1247m), and Mini-Trail/Walk (11 km, 487m), catering to a wide range of trail runners and walkers.

Open to all athletes aged 18 and above for Ultra Trail, Trail, and Trail Sprint, and from 14 years for the Mini-Trail/Walk, the race features courses through the beautiful Serra da Arada, São Macário, with medium to high difficulty and technical terrain including dirt, stones, and some paved sections. The event emphasizes safety and fair play in a natural environment, with time limits and checkpoints ensuring a competitive and secure race.

The atmosphere is challenging yet supportive, with diverse distances allowing both elite athletes and recreational participants to enjoy the scenic mountain trails. The event includes team categories and awards for the largest and best-scoring teams, fostering a community spirit. The event also provides aid stations, safety support, and logistical services to enhance the race experience.

The Trilho do Neveiro is a trail running event held on November 8, 2026, in Castanheira de Pera, Portugal. The event explores the natural landscapes of the southern slopes of the Serra da Lousã and promotes outdoor sports and nature tourism in the region.

Inspired by the historic “neveiros” of Coentral, ancient snow wells once used to transport ice to Lisbon, the event combines sport with local heritage and natural scenery. The event includes competitive trail races and a recreational walk, allowing participants of different experience levels to explore mountain trails and forest paths in the area.

Participants will run through natural routes marked by the organization, with several aid stations and safety support along the course. The event is organized by Prazilândia Turismo e Ambiente with the support of the Municipality of Castanheira de Pera and local organizations.