Trail Terras de Burón

The Trail Terras de Burón, nicknamed "O Trail do Inverno", the winter trail, by its organisers, is held on a Saturday in late January in A Fonsagrada, in the eastern mountains of Lugo province, Galicia. Set up by Club de Montaña Terras de Burón, it was first run in 2023 and brings together three mountain races and a hike on a single day. All distances start from Rúa Alameda in the centre of this town perched at around 950 m, a well-known stop on the Camino Primitivo to Santiago.

The Ultra Terras de Burón, the longest format, covers 63 km with 3,300 m of climbing; it starts at 7:00 and must be completed within 12 hours. The course heads out via Aldomán and Airixín, then A Fornaza, Liñares de Bidul, Vilarín de Baixo and San Martín de Suarna before returning via O Fito, six kilometres from the finish. The Trail das Seimeiras, 30 km with 1,650 m of ascent, starts at 9:30 and has a six-hour limit. The Trailiño, 18 km and 1,000 m of climbing, sets off at 10:30 with five hours allowed. A 16 km walk with 800 m of ascent, the Andaina, leaves at 10:40 on part of the same trails.

Racing here in the depths of winter calls for experience: the climbs are long, the paths often wet, and the organisers warn that snow, ice or wind may lead them to alter the course or the compulsory kit. The Ultra is for runners used to long days in the mountains and to managing the cold. The Trail das Seimeiras suits regular trail runners, while the Trailiño, open to under-18s with parental consent, is a good introduction.

The routes explore the Terras de Burón, part of the Río Eo, Oscos and Terras de Burón Biosphere Reserve: upland heath, broadleaf woods, stone villages and steep-sided valleys running down to the Navia. The race name refers to the seimeiras, the waterfalls typical of the area; the Trail das Seimeiras and the Trailiño pass by the seimeira itself and through Vilagocende, both drinking-water points on the course. In the depths of winter, frost and mist can settle over these landscapes and give the event a character all of its own.

On the practical side, race numbers are collected at the town hall the evening before, then in the start area on race morning from 6:00. All aid stations offer food and drink, and springs dot the courses. Cut-offs apply at A Fornaza and Liñares de Bidul on the Ultra, and at O Fito on every distance. Compulsory kit includes one litre of water (half a litre on the Trailiño and the Andaina), a charged phone, a survival blanket, a whistle, a hat or neck tube, a windproof jacket and emergency food marked with the race number; a head torch is required on the Ultra. At the finish, participants can use hot showers at the municipal sports hall, a bag drop, a crèche and a shoe-washing station.