TAUT - Terras Do Ancião Ultra Trail 2027

We hope you love stones and tough challenges 💪 because the TAUT (Terras Do Ancião Ultra Trail) does not hold back in celebrating its status as an official stage of the Endurance Trail World Championship 2026 🏆. Head to the district of Leira, in the Central Portugal region, for an XXL event spread over three mid-February days 📆. With 7 competitive events on the schedule, there's something for everyone, but the highlight is the special distance of 240 km for 9,639 mD+ 🥵. If you prefer the "classic" ultra trail format, you can also take on the 160 km with its 7,726 mD+ 🤯. Don't worry, long trail races and short trail races are more accessible: 100 km and 3,872 mD+, 62 km and 2,236 mD+, 35 km and 1,500 mD+, 20 km and 690 mD+, and finally 13 km and 370 mD+. This last distance is also open to younger participants and can be completed as Nordic walking! 🚶‍♂️

Here, the terrain is the real master 🫡. You'll tread the technical trails of the Serra de Sicó, where limestone is omnipresent 🪨. It's a demanding course, scattered with rocks and tough sections that require total concentration 🧠. You'll pass through natural sites of raw beauty like the Fragas de São Simão or the Ribeira de Alge area 🪵. Between steep climbs 📈, you'll go through charming villages such as Ferrarias de São João or Alvorge 🏘️, before facing the mythical "Subida do Anjo", (the Angel's ascent 👼) which will remind you that your legs are very much alive 🦵. One last tip: make sure to check your headlamp 🔦, the Portuguese nights are as beautiful as they are long ✨.

To orchestrate this trail running powerhouse, the organization must be precise! 🤓 This involves no less than 17 control and refreshment stations 🍽️, including 3 life bases set up along the routes ⛺️. The atmosphere never drops ⚡️, especially with the "TAUT Night Fall Edition" where a DJ livens up the finish line 🎶. It's a major trail running festival involving more than a dozen municipalities, from Soure to Figueiró dos Vinhos, for full immersion in the local DNA 🇵🇹.

If you're bringing your tribe, Ansião is the ideal base camp 📍. We recommend exploring the natural caves of the area or discovering the unique landscapes of the Sicó massif ⛰️. Families can enjoy accessible hiking trails 🥾 or explore nearby historical ruins. After the effort, head to downtown city to share a meal 🥘 and relive the race in front of the podium 🏅. Get ready, it's going to rock your calves 🤪.

To start, you'll have to rise early ⏰.