ULTRA TRAIL PORTO DA CRUZ NATURA
Ultra Trail Porto da Cruz Natura is an event consisting of 3 races: UTPCN ultra trail 48 km, TLPCN medium trail 22 km, and TCPCN short trail 10 km. The purpose of this event is to promote the parish of Porto da Cruz as a privileged destination for the practice of Trail Running. The natural beauty of this parish in the north of the island, dominated by the green tone of dense vegetation (mostly Laurisilva forest) that contrasts with the blue ocean, will be an extra value for those who venture into this event of the Madeira Trail Running Circuit.
RACE INFORMATION
Located in the Northeast coast of Madeira Island, the parish of Porto da Cruz, in the municipality of Machico, is rich in history and traditions and has a breathtaking landscape! Gifted with an incredible natural beauty, having the Atlantic Ocean as its Northern border and mountains as its Southern border, Porto da Cruz is a privileged location for trail running.
Porto da Cruz Natura Trail, organized by the Parish of Porto da Cruz, takes the participants on an incredible journey through nature. The natural beauty of this parish, between the forest’s green and the ocean’s blue makes of Porto da Cruz Natura Trail an unforgettable event. In total respect for the environment, and along levadas, pathways, dirt roads, technical climbs and descents, this immersion through the Laurissilva forest turns this event into much more than a trail running competition!
This event has an already firmly established reputation and holds its 5th edition on July 22, 2018. The event is part of the Trail Madeira 2017/2018 Circuit and of the Portuguese Trail and Ultra Trail Championship of ATRP – Associação de Trail Running de Portugal (Portuguese Trail Running Association)
The event has three trail runs with different lengths and gradients to allow the participation of athletes with various skills: Porto da Cruz Natura Ultra Trail (UTPCN), Porto da Cruz Natura Long Trail (TLPCN) and Porto da Cruz Natura Short Trail (TCPCN).
Porto da Cruz Natura Ultra Trail (UTPCN) has 48km, a 3000m positive gradient and a difficulty level 3. The route goes around Porto da Cruz parish and includes spectacular climbs, like the climb to Penha D’Águia, the emblematic rock formation with 580m, and the climb with 2,5km and 500m of positive gradient to Encosta do Lombinho.
Porto da Cruz Natura Long Trail (TLPCN) has 22km, a 1250m positive gradient and a difficulty level 3. This long trail run has accentuated slopes and a route with start and finish similar to the Ultra Trail.
Porto da Cruz Natura Short Trail (TCPCN) has 10km, a 330m positive gradient and a difficulty level 2. This is an ideal run for anyone who wants to experience the sensations of the trail runnning as it presents the technical components in an accessible way so that it can be enjoyed by less experienced participants.
More information at http://www.trail-natura.com/