8th Edition of the Horse Trail
Event summary
The 8th Trail do Cavalo is a trail running event scheduled for January 25, 2026, in Alter do Chão, Portugal. This race offers several distances including a Long Trail of approximately 32 km, a Short Trail (Trail Sprint) of about 20 km, a Mini Trail (Youth Trail) of 13 km, and a 13 km Walk, appealing to a broad range of trail running enthusiasts.
Open to all who meet the participation requirements, the event also features a Trail Kid’s category with distances tailored for children and adapted sports, promoting athletics among the youth. It is part of the District and National Trail Circuits, ensuring a competitive and well-regulated environment for both amateur and experienced runners.
The race courses traverse the natural landscapes of the Alter do Chão region with low to medium difficulty, incorporating various surfaces such as asphalt, stone, dirt, and stairs. The atmosphere combines sport, community engagement, and nature appreciation, with parallel events for kids and walking, making it a family-friendly occasion.
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Age categories/divisions:
• Trail Longo: 20 years and older
• Trail Curto: 18 years and older
• Trail Jovem: 16 years and older
• Caminhada: 14 years and older
• Trail Kid’s: 5 to 15 years, including adapted sports
Start/finish locations: Start at Coudelaria de Alter do Chão for Trail Longo and Trail Curto; Largo dos Doze Melhores de Alter (near the castle) for Trail Jovem and Caminhada; all finish at Largo dos Doze Melhores de Alter
Start times per category/distance:
• Trail Longo: 09:00
• Trail Curto: 09:30
• Trail Jovem: 10:30
• Caminhada: start after Trail Jovem
• Trail Kid’s: January 24 starting 18:00 for various age groups
Cut-off times: 6 hours 30 minutes for Trail Longo; 5 hours for other distances
Bib pick-up time and location: January 24 from 17:00 to 20:00 and January 25 from 07:00 to 10:00 at Cineteatro de Alter do Chão
Participants limit: Unlimited
Registration deadline: January 14, 2026
Surface types: Asphalt, stone, dirt, stairs
Course format: Single loop trails with marked routes
Race routes: Trail Longo (~32 km, 1150 m elevation), Trail Curto (~20 km, 750 m elevation), Mini Trail (~13 km, 275 m elevation), Caminhada (~13 km), Trail Kid’s various short distances
Timing method: Electronic timing with checkpoints
Toilets and aid station placement: Aid stations with solid and liquid support along the routes and near finish; toilets at start and finish
Parking and shuttle details: Transport provided from start locations to race start points for Trail Longo and Trail Curto
Prizes: Trophies for top 3 overall male and female finishers per distance; trophies for top 3 per age category; trophies for top 3 teams per distance; medals for all finishers; special trophies and medals for Trail Kid’s participants
Location
get directionsRaces
Trail Run 32 km
Trail Run 20 km
Trail Run 13 km
Walking 13 km
Kids Race
Benefits
🎽 Athlete kit: race bib, commemorative item, and participant meal
🏅 Finisher prize: medal for all finishers and trophies for top athletes
⏱️ Electronic timing with checkpoints and official classification
🛟 Safety support: identified emergency and security teams including volunteer firefighters and GNR
🥤 Aid stations: solid and liquid refreshments along routes and at finish line
🚿 Showers available at Pavilhão Gimnodesportivo and Municipal Pools
🧳 Option for overnight stay with access to bathrooms and showers at Pavilhão Gimnodesportivo
📸 Event photography and media coverage authorized by organization
🚌 Transport service for athletes to start lines of Trail Longo and Trail Curto
🏆 Awards ceremony with mandatory participation for prize winners
