Vertical Costa Norte

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 Estrela Road Challenge 2026 is a challenging road running event taking place in Manteigas, Serra da Estrela, Portugal, on October 24-25, 2026. It features demanding courses that test endurance and strength amidst spectacular mountain scenery.

Participants can choose between three race formats: the Uphill® 21 km race with 1600 m positive elevation gain, the Uphill + Downhill® 42 km race with 3200 m total elevation change, and the 42 km Relay Team® race where one runner completes the Uphill and the other the Downhill segment. The event is open to athletes aged 18 and above, requiring good physical condition and experience due to its mountain terrain.

Set in the natural park of Serra da Estrela, the race offers unique landscapes of mountainous roads with strict environmental and social responsibility values. The atmosphere is competitive yet respectful and supportive, emphasizing ethics and solidarity among runners, volunteers, and organizers.

The UTAX AXtrail®2026 is a trail running event to be held from October 16 to 18, 2026, in Castanheira de Pera, Portugal. It offers a variety of competitive race distances including a challenging 107 km UTAX ultra trail, 56 km TSL, 32 km TX, 16 km MTX, and an 8 km Caminho do Xisto trail, ensuring there are options for runners at different levels.

The event is open to individual participants with minimum age requirements varying by race distance, and it is part of a broader AXtrail®series. The courses traverse the natural beauty of the Aldeias do Xisto territory, combining demanding mountain terrain with scenic paths. The race atmosphere blends competitive spirit with community and social elements, including additional events such as AXtrail Kids and AXtrail da Inclusão, making it an inclusive and festive experience.

Team classifications and awards are included in some races (UTAX, TSL, TX), and the event features robust logistical support including aid stations, safety teams, and post-race recovery facilities, enhancing the overall experience for participants.

The Pisão Extreme 2026 is a skyrunning challenge through the dramatic Serra da Arada, organized by SpotCriativo Eventos with support from the São Pedro do Sul Municipality. Taking place on October 3–4, 2026, this event offers five circular trail courses, all under the auspices of the Portuguese Federation of Camping and Mountaineering (FCMP).

With distances ranging from 4 km to 65 km, Pisão Extreme caters to a wide spectrum of athletes — from beginners testing vertical gains to ultra-endurance mountain runners. Each course delivers rugged ascents, technical terrain, and breathtaking natural scenery.

This is not just a race — it’s a high-altitude test of resilience, autonomy, and mountain spirit.