‘Fim da Europa’ Race

It is almost impossible to have a race more beautiful than this…

The 17 km ‘Fim da Europa’ race that has been considered to be one of the world’s 10 most beautiful races, in the book World’s Ultimate Running Races (Harper Colling Publishers) is nearly here.
For over 30 years, typically on the last Sunday of January, this race starts in the very center of the Unesco Cultural Heritage area of Sintra and makes its way up the mountain and descends to the westernmost point of continental Europe, Cabo da Roca. This year the date is exceptionally in February, the 6th. There are a maximum number of 3000 inscriptions, opened in 3 phases; the first 2000 spots have been secured and the last thousand inscriptions will be opened up shortly.

The challenge of the race is not the distance, but the conditions: the 17 kms of the race are all up and down, and the winter weather conditions can be challenging. The first 4 kms are uphill, along the road midst the fairy-like forest; the following 6 kms are easier, with up and down hills rolling interchangeably – until kilometre 10, when a steep (sometimes even 15% incline) uphill starts again. The last 6 kms are downhill, providing a beautiful view to the Atlantic Ocean and the destination of Cabo da Roca. It is difficult to phantom, that the first athletes are expected to arrive just one hour after they started! The race is organized by Sintra City Hall in collaboration with Podium Events and counts with numerous volunteers to secure all the services during the, and in preparations for, the event.

At Casa do Valle, we support outdoor activities and during the years we have had many clients who participate in the event. We are conveniently located very near the starting place of the race, and offer services that complement the activity. This year we are showing our support by offering a discount in the prices of accommodation, sauna and massages (a discount of up to 20% with the code: FIMDAEUROPA) in direct bookings.
Book your stay here, and come and experience one of Portugal’s oldest races, in what our national poet Luís Vaz de Camões called the place where ‘the land finishes and the sea begins’.

For more information, visit the website of the race here. You can register for the race here.