Farol Adventure Trail 2027: lighthouse to lighthouse on Flores

Farol is Portuguese for lighthouse, and the Farol Adventure Trail lives up to its name. The 2027 edition takes place on Saturday, 17 April, based in Lajes das Flores, as listed on the regional events calendar. It is open to both trail runners and walkers, with routes of 9, 18 and 36 km.

The routes

The longest course is the headline. According to its ITRA listing, the 36 km race runs almost the full length of the island, from the Albarnaz lighthouse near Ponta Delgada in the far north to the Ponta das Lajes lighthouse in the south, with roughly 2,300 m of climbing and an eight-hour time limit. That is a serious mountain day. The 18 km and 9 km routes give a taste of the same wild western scenery in a shorter outing, and walkers are welcome.

Before you sign up

Registration, fees, start times for each distance and any kit rules are set by the organiser, so follow the Farol Adventure Trail page for the details. Flores is one of the most remote islands in the Azores, so arrange your travel and a bed early: there is far less choice than on the bigger islands, and a weather delay can cost you a day.