🏃♂️ Trail Terra do Brinquedo in Alfena: 21km through woods, sweat… and one bright orange tutu! 🍊🌲(English Version)
Think running near Porto is just about coastal roads and river views? Think again! This Sunday, I headed out to Alfena, a small town just a few kilometers from central Porto, for the Trail Terra do Brinquedo — a trail race that was as fun as its name, but definitely not as easy as it sounds.
A warm welcome and smooth organization
The Trail Terra do Brinquedo is part of the Porto Trail Series, a trail running circuit with races all around the Porto region — a real gem for trail lovers.
Bib pickup was quick and easy, and yes — another race t-shirt added to my growing collection. The vibe? Chilled, friendly, and low-key, with fewer than 200 runners. Honestly, I love these smaller events. They feel more personal and authentic.
21km, 900m elevation gain, and plenty of variety
We started at 8:45 a.m. in perfect weather, but by the time I crossed the finish line around 11:30, the heat was starting to kick in.
The route was a great mix of steep climbs, shady forests, and open sections to pick up the pace. Some technical spots kept things interesting, but at least the trees gave us some shade.
Aid stations were well spaced, with plenty of snacks and hydration. No Coke though (which I weirdly only ever crave during races — no one’s perfect!).
Orange tutus, trail family vibes, and... a giant ham
I ran this one with the awesome crew at Miles & Vibes Porto, and let’s just say we didn’t go unnoticed. I wore my now-infamous bright orange tutu, and the team showed up strong: we finished 3rd in terms of number of participants — and took home a whole ham. Trail running perks in Portugal? 10/10.
I just wish my Portuguese was better, so I could catch more of the jokes and banter from the organizers. Next goal: upgrade my language skills along with my hill running.
A must-do trail near Porto
The Trail Terra do Brinquedo is the perfect intro to the world of trail running in Portugal. With a shorter 13km option, it’s very accessible, even if you're new to trails.
And if you’re visiting Porto and looking for something different, remember: you can explore the city on the run with one of our free running tours in Porto.
🏙️ It’s all about the views, the sweat, the stories — and sometimes a pastel de nata (or two).
👉 Curious about trail races near Porto? Check out the full Porto Trail Series calendar here — I’ll definitely be racing more of them next year!
See you soon on the trails — or the cobbled streets of Porto — tutu and all. 🧡
#trailrunning #porto #runninginporto #freerunningtourporto #thecrazyrunnerporto #trailportugal #runporto #runtosee #cityrunningtour
