Portugal · Northern Portugal
Grande Trail Serra d’Arga
Distance
100 km
Date
October 2, 2026
Entry fee
100 EUR
€ / km
€1.00
Portugal’s northern mountains: granite ridges, village charm, and a punchy 100K with real vert.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
4151m
D+/KM
41.51m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
10.9%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-10.7%
Uphill gradient distribution
Route Profile
Analysed 2026-05-01Terrain breakdown
Terrain
Climbs
Top climbs
4.0 km · 427 m gain
starts km 48 · avg 10.8% · max 51.4%
3.8 km · 424 m gain
starts km 92 · avg 11.2% · max 51.7%
8.3 km · 402 m gain
starts km 25 · avg 4.8% · max 37.5%
Top descents
10.3 km · 699 m drop
starts km 75 · avg -6.8% · max -36.2%
5.3 km · 444 m drop
starts km 52 · avg -8.3% · max -30.8%
4.0 km · 415 m drop
starts km 95 · avg -10.0% · max -47.4%
Why the GTSA 100km Is Harder Than 4,151m Suggests
Q: How hard is the Grande Trail Serra d'Arga 100km? A: Seriously demanding throughout. At 41.5m/km elevation density, 10.86% average uphill gradient, and just 22.6% flat terrain, the GTSA 100km delivers sustained gradient pressure with minimal recovery.
Three climbs breach 50% maximum gradient, the final 8km features the race's hardest wall followed immediately by its steepest descent, and the night start means the opening 6–10 hours run in darkness.
Course Profile — Three 50%+ Walls, 10km of Descent at km 75, and the Race's Hardest Section Saved for Last
Q: Is Grande Trail Serra d'Arga 100km a UTMB qualifier? A: Yes. The GTSA 100km is a UTMB Index 100K category race and ITRA certified.
€1.00/km for a UTMB Index 100K Qualifier in a Portuguese Mountain Village
Q: How much does it cost to enter Grande Trail Serra d'Arga 100km? A: €100 standard entry — €1.00 per kilometre — for a UTMB Index 100K qualifier. Entry rises to €105 from September 12, 2026. One of the most affordable 100K qualifier entries in Europe.
Night Start in October: What Running GTSA 100km Demands Before Dawn
Q: When does the 2026 Grande Trail Serra d'Arga 100km take place? A: October 2–4, 2026. The 100km starts on the evening of October 2 at approximately 22:00. Bib collection runs 17:00–22:00 at Praça do Conselheiro Silva Torres, Caminha.
Race files
Logistics
Nearest airport
Porto (OPO) / Vigo (VGO)
Notes
Start: ~1–1.5 hrs (OPO) or ~1 hr (VGO) by car to Caminha / Public transport: good (train Porto→Viana do Castelo/Caminha) + taxi/bus last-mile / Accommodation: good supply in Caminha/Vila Praia de Âncora/Viana do Castelo; book early
