MessengerFoz Côa Douro Trail Adventure / 3-stage race
Event summary
The Foz Côa Douro Trail Adventure is a trail running event taking place from February 20 to 22, 2026, in the Alto Douro region of Portugal. This challenging race is composed of three stages with distances of 16 km, 30 km, and 17 km respectively, offering a demanding mountain terrain with significant elevation changes.
The event is open exclusively to athletes aged 18 and over, emphasizing extreme physical and mental endurance due to the high mountain trails, technical paths, and exposure to varying weather conditions. Participants traverse scenic landscapes featuring terraced valleys, the Douro and Côa rivers, vineyards known for world-class wines, flowering almond and olive trees, and cultural landmarks such as the Pocinho to Barca D’Alva railway and the historic Numão Castle.
The atmosphere blends adventure with cultural exploration, supported by transfers between stages, accommodation options, and communal dinners, fostering camaraderie among participants. The race includes individual competition over three days, with final classification determined by the cumulative time of all stages.
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Plan itInformation
Age categories/divisions:
• Adults (18+ only)
Start/finish locations: Various locations around Vila Nova de Foz Côa including Centro de Alto Rendimento do Pocinho (CAR)
Start times per category/distance:
• Day 1 (16 km): 17:30
• Day 2 (30 km): 09:30
• Day 3 (17 km): 09:00
Cut-off times: No time limits
Bib pick-up time and location:
• February 20, 15:30 at Centro de Alto Rendimento do Pocinho (CAR)
Participants limit: 100 participants for the 3-day pack
Registration deadline: February 14, 2026
Surface types: Mountain trails with technical sections, mixed terrain
Course format: Three-stage trail running event
Race routes:
• Day 1: 16 km
• Day 2: 30 km
• Day 3: 17 km
Timing method: Electronic timing by Stop and Go
Toilets and aid station placement:
• Aid stations approximately every 10 km with liquid and solid supplies
Parking and shuttle details:
• Transfers included between stages daily; optional transfer from Porto airport to Foz Côa and back
Prizes:
• Prizes for top 3 male and female overall (cumulative time)
• Finisher prize included
Location
get directionsRaces
Trail Run 16 km + 30 km + 17 km
Trail Run 16 km + 30 km + 17 km with accommodation
Benefits
🎽 Athlete kit: bib number, event-related gifts
🏅 Finisher prize: finalist prize awarded
⏱️ Timing + live results by category via Stop and Go system
🛟 Safety support: personal accident insurance included, rescue and protection services
🥤 Aid stations: liquid and solid supplies approximately every 10 km
🚌 Transfers between stages and optional Porto-Foz Côa airport transfers
🚿 Access to Centro de Alto Rendimento do Pocinho facilities including showers and changing rooms (for accommodation pack)
🏆 Podium awards for top 3 male and female overall
🍽️ Two dinners included for accommodation pack participants
