AzBT® 100K — The Ultimate Challenge

The 100K race of the Azores Bravos Trail® is a demanding and profound crossing of Terceira Island. It is a test of endurance, persistence, and a direct confrontation with a landscape shaped by volcanism, the Atlantic, and human history.

The race starts at Miradouro do Facho, in Praia da Vitória, with the ocean defining the horizon. The course quickly gains altitude towards Serra do Cume, where the iconic “Patchwork Blanket” (Manta de Retalhos) reveals itself in all its grandeur, forming one of the most emblematic landscapes of the Azores.

This is followed by the Trilho das Relheiras de São Brás, where the rock preserves the deep marks left by ancient carts, before crossing open meadows and climbing towards Pico do Boi. The descent leads into the dense Agualva Forests, where the enclosed greenery provides freshness and brief relief before entering one of the most striking sections of the race.

In Agualva, the route heads immediately towards Algar do Carvão, one of the island’s greatest natural symbols. The descent into this dormant volcano is a unique, almost solemn moment, offering direct contact with the Earth’s interior. Back on the surface, athletes face the legendary Trilho dos Mistérios Negros — a harsh and impressive landscape shaped by the 1761 eruption, where the technical terrain demands total focus.

The course then descends towards the northern coast, reaching Biscoitos, where basalt vineyards and the proximity of the sea signal a clear change in atmosphere. From here, the race gains altitude once again, leading athletes to the most symbolic point of the Azores Bravos Trail®.

Reaching Rocha do Chambre, the true emblem of the event, is one of the most memorable moments of the race. From the top, the wide view over the island offers a powerful perspective of the distance already covered and the challenge overcome. It is a place of contemplation, effort, and identity, where the spirit of AzBT® is fully felt.

After Rocha do Chambre, the route heads south across demanding trails and open landscapes, with fatigue now fully present. The entrance into Angra do Heroísmo, a UNESCO World Heritage city, marks the beginning of the final effort. The historic streets guide athletes to Parque Municipal do Relvão, where a tough, intense, and unforgettable race comes to an end.

Completing the 100K of the Azores Bravos Trail® is more than finishing a race. It is crossing the island, facing its wild nature, and emerging transformed by the experience.