Santa Justa Trail 2025 – Mist, Hills & a Stone Medal
The Santa Justa Trail was supposed to happen back in late July, but wildfires warnings forced the organizers to postpone it to October 5th. A wise decision — because this time, the mountains of Valongo, just next to Porto, offered the perfect mix of cool air, morning mist, and beautiful sunshine later on.
Valongo is one of Portugal’s official Trail Stations — a concept that I truly believe will keep growing. It’s a paradise for trail runners: wild nature just a short train ride from the city. It was also the chance to catch up with some friends from the Porto Expat Runners, which always makes race mornings even better.
A foggy start and a long staircase to wake you up
Bib pickup was smooth and fast, and I added another T-shirt to my growing collection — simple design, white, perfect for summer training sessions.
The race started on time, and right away came a small loop up to the Santa Justa Church, with an endless staircasethat warmed everyone up instantly. The mist was still floating around, making it all look a bit epic.
Soon after, the sky cleared, and we were rewarded with incredible viewpoints over Porto — hard to believe such scenery is so close to the city center.
Trails, climbs, and “walls”
The course was perfectly marked, no chance of getting lost. The mix of wide trails and clean single tracks was just right.
And yes, there was elevation — real elevation. Some sections felt more like walls than hills, both up and down. I was grateful for the dry weather; a few muddy spots could have turned into real adventures otherwise!
Aid stations were well placed and efficient, though I keep hoping for something salty one day. I’m starting to realize that cheese and ham at aid stations might be a very French thing!
A few hiccups
Two small issues, though:
In the last 8 km, all race distances merged onto the same route, creating some frustrating bottlenecks — especially when joining groups of hikers who weren’t aware of the runners coming behind.
And once again, the Portuguese race math strikes: instead of the announced 30 km and 1100 m D+, my watch showed 28 km and 1300 m D+. Not a big deal, but always a surprise!
A rocky finish
The finish line was, quite literally, on top of a wall — no chance for a final sprint! But the reward was worth it: a beautiful stone medal, different from anything else in my collection.
The post-race area offered some snacks, soda, a few salty bites, and as always in these local races, the warmest volunteers. And the best part? The race photos are free — something that every event should do, in my opinion.
Final thoughts
If you’re in Porto and want to experience a trail that’s both scenic and challenging, the Santa Justa Trail is a must-do.
Beautiful views, great organization, friendly atmosphere — and just enough climbing to remind your legs what trail running really means.
Whether you’re living in Porto or just visiting, the Santa Justa Trail is a perfect example of how much trail beauty lies just outside the city. And if you want to explore more of Porto’s running spirit — from scenic urban routes to coastal paths — join one of my The Crazy Runner Porto Running Tours. Because running here is not just about the miles — it’s about the smiles, the views, and the stories you collect along the way.
