The X Trail Galaico Esposende is a trail running event taking place on March 21 and 22, 2026, in Esposende, Portugal. The event features multiple races including a Kids Trail, a 14 km walk, a 14 km Trail Jovem/Mini, a 20 km Trail Sprint, and a 32 km Trail, all held along the Arriba Fóssil de Esposende.
The races are open to participants aged 16 and older, with parental authorization required for minors. The Trail Sprint and Trail Jovem/Mini are part of the Regional Trail Circuit 2025/26, requiring federated athletes competing for the championship to register through the federation platform. The event offers a variety of distances suitable for different age groups and skill levels.
The course includes trails, forest roads, paved roads, streams, rivers, single tracks, and archaeological sites, providing a diverse and scenic mountain trail running experience. The atmosphere is competitive with individual and team classifications, including trophies and medals for winners and finishers.
The 5th Trilhos da Lapa 2026 is a trail running event taking place on March 21 and 22, 2026, in Mendiga, Porto de Mós, Portugal. It features two competitive trail races of approximately 12 km and 21 km, a non-competitive 11 km walk, and a kids run.
The trail sprint is part of the Portugal Cup of ATRP, the ADAL Trail Sprint Circuit, and the Porto de Mós Trail Trophy, while the mini trail is included in the Porto de Mós Trail Trophy. The courses traverse mostly old paths, tracks, and trails in the limestone massif of the Aire and Candeeiros mountain range, offering scenic views of local landmarks such as the Mendiga mills, Lapa da Mendiga, quarries, dry stone walls, and ponds.
The event welcomes athletes of all ages and physical conditions, with parental authorization required for minors. It promotes fair play, environmental respect, and a healthy lifestyle, with a festive atmosphere including team competitions and awards for various age categories and teams.
The Ultra Trail do Marão 2026 (UTM 2026) returns from March 26 to 29, 2026, set in the dramatic terrain of Serra do Marão, with its headquarters in Amarante, Portugal. This iconic mountain trail running event is known for its rugged beauty, technical challenges, and warm local atmosphere.
UTM 2026 offers six trail distances to suit all profiles — from elite mountain runners to beginner trail enthusiasts:
120 km (UTM 120)
60 km (UTM 60)
40 km (UTM 40)
25 km (UTM 25)
15 km (UTM 15)
6 km (UTM 6)
Each race immerses athletes in a pristine natural environment with forests, rivers, ancient paths, and dramatic climbs, making it one of Portugal's most scenic and demanding trail events. It’s open to all, with some races requiring previous mountain experience.
The Sharish Monsaraz Natur Trail 2026 is a trail running event scheduled for March 27-28, 2026, in Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal. This race offers multiple distances: 100 km (Trail Ultra Endurance), 45 km (Trail Ultra), 31 km (Trail Longo), 20 km (Trail Sprint), and an 8 km Mini-Trail/Caminhada. It is open to all participants meeting minimum age requirements, ranging from 16 years for the Mini-Trail to 20 years for the longer distances.
This event is a candidate for the National Trail Circuits organized by ATRP/FPA and the Regional Trail Circuit by AAE, highlighting its competitive stature. The routes feature substantial elevation gains—up to 3000 meters for the Ultra Endurance—offering challenging and scenic terrain in the Monsaraz region.
The race atmosphere combines cultural moments and community spirit, including a festive opening night at the departure location, Castelo de Monsaraz, with cultural activities. The event also features team classifications and awards, ensuring a competitive yet inclusive environment for both elite and amateur trail runners.
The XXV Trilhos do Contrabando is a hiking event taking place on March 28, 2026, between Salavessa (Montalvão) in Portugal and Cedillo in Spain. The event features a 16 km linear route along traditional paths, trails, and footpaths with notable elevation changes near the Sever River.
The hike is open to all participants, including children with parental authorization. The course offers a challenging experience with a difficulty level rated as very difficult (IV), crossing scenic natural landscapes and including a boat crossing on the Sever River.
Participants enjoy a well-organized event with transfers, marked trails, refreshments, lunch, and support vehicles, creating a communal and engaging atmosphere for all ages.
The VI Desafio Vertical 0/947 2026 is a trail running event taking place on March 28, 2026, in Lagoa, Portugal. It features several distances, including the DV Trail (37.9 km with 1870 m positive elevation), DV Trail Sprint (25.6 km with 1370 m positive elevation), DV Caminhada (9.4 km non-competitive walk), and DV Kids (1.5 km for children aged 6-15).
The event is open to all athletes who meet the age requirements for each race, with categories for youth, seniors, veterans, and teams. The DV Trail and DV Trail Sprint are classified by ITRA and contribute to the National Trail Championships and the São Miguel Island Trail Circuit. The courses traverse scenic trails and agricultural paths in the Lagoa municipality, offering challenging terrain and beautiful natural landscapes.
The atmosphere combines competitive spirit with a family-friendly environment, including a non-competitive walk and a kids' race. The event is organized with staggered individual start times in a time-trial format, fostering a focused yet communal race experience.
The Trilho dos Cogumelos is a trail running event taking place on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Largo da Bica in Alcaria da Serra, Vidigueira, Beja. It offers several distances including a Trail Sprint of 16 km, a Mini Trail of 10 km, and walking options of 10 km and 8 km, as well as a free 8 km race for young athletes called Futuros Campeões.
The event is open to various age categories, including youth and seniors, and is organized by the Câmara Municipal de Vidigueira with support from local associations. It provides a diverse experience for trail runners and walkers alike in the Beja district.
The 4th Moimenta da Beira Run, Rota da Cabeça Gorda, is a mountain running event taking place on March 29, 2026, in Moimenta da Beira, Portugal. It features multiple race distances for different age groups, including 0.9 km for Benjamins, 1.8 km for Iniciados, 2.7 km for Juvenis, 6 km for Juniores, and a challenging 14 km course for Seniors and Veterans, along with a 7 km walking option.
This event is open to all athletes registered with any association nationwide, as well as popular, school, and individual participants. It serves as the 22nd Final of the Portuguese Mountain Running Cup and the 6th District Mountain Running Championship, attracting competitive runners of all levels.
The race unfolds on a demanding mountain terrain with slight elevation challenges, offering a competitive and festive atmosphere. It includes youth races, a walk, and awards presentation followed by a communal lunch, making it a well-rounded mountain running experience.
The III Trail Rota Das Estevas is a trail running event scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2026, starting at 08:00 in Monte Ruivo - Alte, Faro. This event offers multiple distance options including a 36 km trail, a 20 km trail sprint, an 11 km mini trail, and a 7 km walking route, catering to a broad range of participants.
The race is open to all runners without the need for a license and provides opportunities for different age categories and skill levels to compete in a scenic setting. The event promotes an inclusive and friendly atmosphere for trail enthusiasts and walkers alike.
This event is part of the Algarve Trail Championship calendar.
The TRAIL PORTA DO GIÃO is a trail running event taking place on March 29, 2026, in Vale, Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal. It features a 16 km competitive trail race and a 10 km mountain walk, open to participants 18 years and older for the trail and all ages for the walk (minors must be accompanied by an adult). The event is part of the Festas de Nossa Senhora do Vale 2026 and is organized by the Junta de Freguesia do Vale in collaboration with local community organizations.
The trail route traverses mountainous terrain and scenic trails around the Gião area, which is located within the Peneda-Gerês National Park, known for its rich Bronze Age rock art and natural beauty. The course offers a unique opportunity to experience the cultural heritage and stunning landscapes of this protected park.
The race atmosphere combines competitive spirit with community celebration, including monetary prizes for top finishers and trophies for age categories and teams. A non-competitive 10 km walk is also offered, encouraging participation from a wide range of fitness levels.
