Trail Linhas de Torres.
The Trail Linhas de Torres, now in its seventh edition, covers 50 kilometres from Torres Vedras to Mafra along the historic forts of the defensive line that gives it its name. Its 1,600 metres or so of climbing come not from one big mountain but from a long run of short, steep pitches, and the hardest of them waits until after kilometre 38.
Trail Linhas de Torres 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The start is at the Monumento da Guerra Peninsular in Torres Vedras, barely 30 metres above sea level, and the finish at the Parque Desportivo Municipal de Mafra. In between, the route follows the forts of the Lines of Torres, built in 1810 during the French invasions. That makes the day a journey from one place to another: no laps, and no climb faced twice.
The first nine kilometres are a saw blade, twice up to just over 150 metres and back to around 70. From there the ground rises almost without a break to nearly 290 metres at kilometre 16, drops once more and then, from kilometre 18.5, throws in two ramps averaging about 14 percent. They lead to the high point of the day, just under 390 metres shortly after kilometre 20.
The course then gives away around 270 metres in four kilometres. A long, steadier climb from kilometre 25.6 and a rolling stretch between 120 and 180 metres follow before the biggest climb begins at kilometre 38: two kilometres at close to ten percent. The ground stays restless on top, and only after kilometre 46 does the course run down into Mafra, which sits about 160 metres higher than the start.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 0.9 | 1.5 km | 8.9 % | 26.6 % | +136 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 5.5 | 1.5 km | 8.7 % | 17.2 % | +131 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 12.5 | 1.2 km | 6.6 % | 23.5 % | +81 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 15.3 | 1.2 km | 6 % | 11.7 % | +74 m | — |
| km 18.5 | 0.6 km | 14.1 % | 30.6 % | +88 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 19.9 | 1.2 km | 13.8 % | 31.3 % | +159 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 25.6 | 2.3 km | 5.1 % | 15.1 % | +114 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 38.1 | 2.1 km | 9.6 % | 27.3 % | +199 m | Cat. 3 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Trail Linhas de Torres.
Start under control
More than a quarter of this course is steep, up or down, and hardly any climb is long enough to settle into a rhythm. So plan by effort rather than by kilometre splits: power-hike the steep ramps from the very start and run the stretches between them calmly. Even the two ramps from kilometre 18.5 are a stage along the way, not a summit to race for.
Hold your rhythm
The biggest temptation comes straight afterwards. Four kilometres of descent towards halfway feel like free time, but they spend the very quads you will need later. Let it roll there without pushing.
Spend what is left
The race is decided at kilometre 38. If you can hike that climb with force and start running again the moment it eases, you gain more on the last twelve kilometres than anywhere else. Do not count on a cruise home: the ground keeps going up and down until kilometre 46, and the final seven kilometres, shared with the 10K course, climb once more before they drop.
Training plan for Trail Linhas de Torres: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners should expect roughly six to nine hours, depending on form. Aerobic endurance for that duration is the base, but the race is never even: short ramps send the heart rate up, the descents load the muscles under braking, and only about one kilometre in eight is flat.
Train race pace
That sets the main priority: long runs with the hardest work at the end. Put steep hill repeats of five to ten minutes into the last third of the session, because the toughest climb arrives when many hours are already in your legs. Practise brisk hiking as well as the return to running at the top, since that is where time is made or lost.
Rehearse the course
The second priority is descending on tired legs. Build steep downhills into your long runs regularly and add strength work for quads and calves, so that a four-kilometre descent at halfway does not weaken you for the rest of the day. Two longer sessions on consecutive days teach you what tired legs feel like.
Arrive fresh
You do not need real mountains for any of this, as the course stays below 400 metres. A hill of 100 to 150 vertical metres, repeated often, mirrors the race well. With the date on 10 April, the longest sessions fall in February and March, so schedule them early enough.
Courses
Download the Trail Linhas de Torres course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Trail Linhas de Torres dynamically
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Everything about Trail Linhas de Torres.
How long is Trail Linhas de Torres?
Trail Linhas de Torres is 50 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Trail Linhas de Torres have?
Trail Linhas de Torres has around 1,586 m of elevation gain over 50 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Trail Linhas de Torres?
Trail Linhas de Torres is classified as Mountainous, averaging 31 vertical metres per kilometre. 13% of the route is flat, 31% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 13% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Trail Linhas de Torres have?
The hardest climb of Trail Linhas de Torres starts at kilometre 38.1, runs for 2.1 km at an average of 9.6% and gains 199 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Trail Linhas de Torres a loop course?
No, Trail Linhas de Torres is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Trail Linhas de Torres course?
Yes. The Trail Linhas de Torres course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Trail Linhas de Torres?
Preparation for Trail Linhas de Torres should account for 50 km, 1,586 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Trail Linhas de Torres?
The pacing strategy for Trail Linhas de Torres should reflect 50 km, 1,586 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Trail Linhas de Torres 2027 take place?
Trail Linhas de Torres 2027 takes place on April 10, 2027.
Where does Trail Linhas de Torres 2027 take place?
Trail Linhas de Torres 2027 takes place in Torres Vedras, Portugal.
Which distances does Trail Linhas de Torres offer?
Trail Linhas de Torres offers 4 distances — Trail Linhas de Torres Ultra Trail 50K: 50 km; Trail Linhas de Torres Estafeta Trail 50K: 50 km; Trail Linhas de Torres Sprint Trail 22K: 22 km; Trail Linhas de Torres Corrida 10K: 10 km.
How do I register for Trail Linhas de Torres?
Registration runs through the organiser: traillinhasdetorres.pt. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
