Interview TrailRunAdvisor – Trilhos do Pastor
Over the past few years, Trilhos do Pastor has established itself as one of the highest-rated trail running races in Portugal, standing out for the quality of its organization, the authenticity of the experience, and its deep connection to the local territory. With 36 reviews and an outstanding average rating of 4.9/5 on TrailRunAdvisor, the race has earned an exceptional reputation among trail runners.
Held in the heart of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park, and passing through iconic locations such as Pia do Urso and the Moeda Caves, Trilhos dos Pastor has become a benchmark event for runners seeking a memorable trail running experience in Portugal.
But what truly makes Trilhos do Pastor so special? What lies behind its unique atmosphere, attention to detail, and consistently positive participant feedback?
We spoke with Hugo Carreira, from the management team of Trilhos do Pastor, to better understand the success behind one of Portugal’s highest-rated trail races.
Q1. Trilhos do Pastor is often described as one of the best-organized trail races in Portugal, with exceptional attention to detail. In your opinion, what defines the DNA of the race today?
The true DNA of Trilhos do Pastor is its people. The entire community that has grown around the event – athletes, volunteers, local residents, partners, and the Atlético Clube São Mamede team – is what gives the race its identity and soul.
From the very beginning, we wanted to create an event that felt close, human, and authentic, where every participant genuinely feels welcomed, as if they are part of a family. More than a competition, Trilhos do Pastor is a gathering of people united by a shared passion for trail running, nature, and meaningful experiences.
We are athletes ourselves, and that strongly influences the way we think about the event. We know what we value when participating in races elsewhere, and we try to bring that same sensitivity to every organizational detail.
Despite the complexity and demands of organizing an event like this, we believe what leaves the strongest impression on participants is the atmosphere throughout the weekend and the genuine warmth with which everyone is welcomed.
Q2. Participants consistently highlight the quality of the organization — particularly the course marking, aid stations, and logistics. What are, in your opinion, the key ingredients to delivering such a high-quality experience?
Quality starts with the people who build the event. We are fortunate to have an extraordinary team and network of volunteers, most of them from the local area, who approach the race with tremendous dedication and a real sense of purpose.
We always try to see everything from the athlete’s perspective. From course safety to the experience at aid stations, every detail is designed to ensure participants feel supported, reassured, and genuinely welcomed.
Our goal is simple: to deliver a memorable experience where the organization runs with precision and professionalism, but where closeness, human warmth, and a true sense of community are equally present.
Q3. The race takes place in the heart of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park, passing through iconic locations such as Pia do Urso and the Moeda Caves. How do you design the course to combine natural beauty, history, and the trail running experience?
We design the courses with great care and deep respect for the region’s natural and cultural heritage. Our goal is to showcase the very best of our territory, blending the beauty of the mountains with iconic trails and places of strong local identity.
The epicenter of the event is the village of Pia do Urso, a place that is very special to us and perfectly represents the connection between nature, tradition, and community. From there, runners discover unique trails, limestone landscapes, and iconic landmarks such as the Moeda Caves, windmills, dry stone walls, Roman roads, and the cliffs of Reguengo do Fetal.
Many of these paths are deeply rooted in the memory of local communities, giving them a very special authenticity.
We aim to create courses that are balanced and challenging, but also memorable , routes where runners can feel both the toughness of the mountains and their beauty and energy. Our goal is for participants to take home not only the memory of the race itself, but also a piece of our land.
Q4. Many participants describe the course as immersive and full of meaning, with each section telling a story through the landscape. How do you approach designing a course that goes beyond performance and delivers a genuine experience for runners?
We try to ensure that every part of the course has its own identity. Some sections are more technical, others more runnable, and many offer striking scenery. For every trail and mountain section, we always try to understand its history or origin, valuing the meaning behind each path.
This connection to the territory and its stories is fundamental to the way we design the race and to the experience we want to offer participants.
Q5. With exceptional feedback and one of the highest ratings on TrailRunAdvisor, the race has built a strong reputation. How do you handle this growing recognition and the expectations that come with it?
We receive this recognition with enormous gratitude, especially because we feel it belongs to the entire Trilhos do Pastor community. It is the result of the collective work of many people who, over the years, have contributed their time, energy, and passion.
Naturally, this recognition also brings greater responsibility. We want to continue evolving and improving, while never losing what makes us unique: the closeness, authenticity, and family spirit that so many runners mention when speaking about the event.
Q6. What are your ambitions for the future of Trilhos do Pastor? Are you looking to grow the event or preserve its current spirit and scale?
Above all, our ambition is to preserve the spirit of Trilhos do Pastor by maintaining what has always defined us: closeness, authenticity, and a strong connection to the community. We want to continue improving the athlete experience without ever losing the essence that makes the race so special.
At the same time, we have also been taking new steps to promote different aspects of trail running in our region. One example is the creation of our second event, Reguengo do Fetal—Hard Trail, which will take place on October 11th in Reguengo do Fetal. This race aims to showcase the more technical side of Trilhos do Pastor in a shorter, more demanding format of approximately 12 km.
Rather than growing in size, we want to grow with purpose — offering different experiences within the same family of events, while always keeping people, community, and the territory at the heart of everything we do.
Conclusions
More than just a competition, Trilhos do Pastor represents a unique vision of trail running: an experience deeply rooted in people, community, and the land itself. Between historic trails, dramatic limestone landscapes, highly praised aid stations, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere, it becomes clear why so many runners consider this one of the most authentic trail running experiences in Portugal , something also reflected in its 36 reviews and impressive 4.9/5 average rating on TrailRunAdvisor.
With a strong identity, a reputation built on quality, and a clear commitment to preserving its essence, Trilhos do Pastor continues to establish itself as a benchmark event in the Portuguese trail running scene.