Vertical North Coast

The 3º Trail Winter Challenge S.A. – Vila Galé is a trail running event scheduled for December 13, 2026, in Ericeira, starting and finishing at the Vila Galé Hotel. It features three distances: a long trail of approximately 20 km, a short trail of around 14 km, and a leisure walk of about 12 km. The event is open to all participants aged 18 and older, with competitive classifications for the trail distances and no classification for the walk.

This race is part of the Circuito Challenge S.A. 2026, offering a unique opportunity for participants to compete in a series of three trail challenges throughout the year. The course runs mostly through natural trails with stunning views of the coastline, combining interior paths with scenic sea vistas, offering a beautiful and challenging environment.

The atmosphere is community-oriented and environmentally conscious, promoting trail running with zero environmental impact and initiatives like plogging during the walk. The event also includes prizes for top finishers, the largest team, and oldest participants, along with a unique finisher medal in puzzle format tying the three races in the circuit together. The event caters to competitive runners and leisure walkers alike, encouraging participation from a broad range of ages and skill levels.

The Gerês Extreme Marathon® is a road mountain marathon event taking place from November 27 to 29, 2026, in Vila do Gerês, Portugal. It features multiple race distances including Extreme Mile, Extreme 90k, Race 12km, Marathon 42km, Half Marathon 21km, and Mini Race 14km.

The event is open to athletes aged 20 and above for most distances, with some shorter races allowing participants from 18 years old. It is held within the Peneda-Gerês National Park, emphasizing respect for the natural environment and requiring participants to carry their own hydration containers.

This challenging race combines speed, long duration, significant elevation changes, and exposure to mountain weather conditions. The event includes strict rules on conduct and environmental responsibility, with limited participant numbers to ensure safety and sustainability.

The Trail Amigos da Montanha is a classic trail running event held on November 15, 2026, in Barcelos, Portugal. The race features multiple distances, catering to a wide range of trail runners.

The start and finish are located in the historic center of Barcelos, providing a scenic and culturally rich backdrop for the competition. This event is recognized as one of the key trail races in the northern region of Portugal.

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.