NORCHA® Adventure RACE Discover Douro Valley in 2025 Summary
Introduction
The NORCHA® AR Discover Douro Valley 2025 took place from September 2ndto 7th, bringing together 13 international adventure racing teams in a multi-dayendurance challenge across one of Portugal’s most stunning and demandingregions — the Douro Valley. Combining mountain biking, kayaking, and trekkingover hundreds of kilometres, the event once again demonstrated NORCHA’score values: adventure, resilience, solidarity, and team spirit.
Over nonstop four days, athletes from around the world pushed their physicaland mental limits while exploring the rugged landscapes, terraced vineyards,and historic villages of northern Portugal. The event also reinforced the Douroregion’s potential as a destination for sustainable adventure tourism, blendingsport, nature, and culture into one unforgettable experience.
Arrival and Opening Ceremony
The arrival of the teams on September 2nd marked the beginning of theNORCHA® AR Discover Douro Valley 2025. The city of Vila Real served as thewelcoming point for participants from Denmark, Spain, Uruguay, France, Portugal, Argentina, the United States, Paraguay and Brazil. Throughout theday, logistics and volunteer teams ensured that equipment, registration, andaccommodation were seamlessly organized.
On September 3th, the operations base between NossoShopping and the VilaReal Municipal Theatre became the event’s logistical hub, where teamscompleted their official registration, equipment inspections, and safetybriefings. These essential procedures guaranteed fair competition conditionsand compliance with safety standards.
The day culminated in the Opening Ceremony, held at the Vila Real Municipal Theatre. Athletes, partners, and guests gathered to celebrate the start of the2025 edition, highlighting the spirit of international camaraderie that definesNORCHA®. The ceremony captured the excitement and anticipation for the days of adventure ahead.
September 4th The Expedition Begins
The official race start on September 4th was filled with adrenaline andexpectation. Following an early morning briefing, the 13 teams received theirGPS devices and final route details — revealed only moments before the startto maintain suspense and emphasize the strategic nature of the race.
At 9:45 a.m., teams set off from Vila Real with a short run through NossoShopping before transitioning to mountain bikes for a 60 km ride toward MesãoFrio. The route led them through the Serra do Alvão and the vineyards of SantaMarta de Penaguião, combining steep climbs and technical trails.
The afternoon brought the first kayaking stage, as teams paddled from MesãoFrio to Peso da Régua, navigating 5 km against the current through theUNESCO World Heritage landscape of the Douro River. The day concluded witha demanding trekking section to Ermida de São Domingos, in Armamar, wheremost teams rested for the night. However, the fastest competitors pressed oninto the darkness, beginning the next MTB leg toward Sabrosa.
By the end of the day, Team 9 – Aaros (Denmark) had taken an early lead, setting a strong pace and confirming their contender status.
September 5th Leadership Changes and Extreme Endurance
The second day brought new dynamics to the competition. Teams departedfrom São Domingos in the early hours, facing a 57 km MTB stage to Alijó,followed by an intense trekking descent to Murça and a steep climb back to theSanctuary of Boa Morte. The day tested endurance and mental toughness,widening the gap between the leading and trailing teams.
In the afternoon, competitors took on a kayaking leg on the Tua River beforestarting the longest trekking section of the event — 36 km, passing throughiconic landmarks such as Castelo de Ansiães and Castelo de Numão. It washere that strategy reshaped the race: after resting briefly, Team 9 lost the irlead to Team 18 (Repuesto Ojea Pixeralia, Spain) and Team 5 (Ultra Sport, Uruguay).
As night fell, three teams battled closely for first place, while others laggednearly ten hours behind. By the end of the day, six teams remained on the fullcourse, preparing to enter Vila Nova de Foz Côa, where new and even morechallenging stages awaited.
September 6th A Tight Battle for Leadership
The third day began with renewed energy and shifting positions.
Teams 18, 9, and 5 covered about 30 km of mountainbiking between Numão and Vila Nova de Foz Côa, where Team Aaros reclaimedthe lead. The top two teams entered the Côa River separated by only 15minutes, completing a 5 km kayaking section with their bikes aboard the kayaks — a signature challenge of the NORCHA® AR.
Behind them, other teams completed the Tua River segment and advancedtoward the transition zone at Pocinho, where all teams faced a mandatory five-hour pause before being transported to São João da Pesqueira due to the “darkzone” rule prohibiting nighttime navigation on the Douro River.
By midnight, leading teams resumed their race from São João da Pesqueira onmountain bikes toward Penedono Castel until transition area of Sendim,maintaining their time differences. The stage set the tone for a dramatic finalshowdown on the last day.
September 7th The Triumph of Finishing the Journey
The final day began before dawn, with the leaders setting off from São João daPesqueira. The Danish Team Aaros (9) and the Spanish Repuesto Ojea–Pixeralia (18) departed one hour and twenty minutes apart, heading to Sendimfor the final 22 km trekking loop.
The last leg of the event — a 57 km mountain biking stage — led competitorsthrough Sernancelhe, Moimenta da Beira, Tarouca, and finally Lamego. Despitea strong effort by Team 18 to close the gap, Team 9 maintained their lead, evenas the steep ascent to the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios slowedtheir pace.
At 6:30 p.m., Team Aaros (Denmark) crossed the finish line in Lamego, becoming the champions of NORCHA® AR Discover Douro Valley 2025. Tenminutes later, Team 18 (Spain) arrived, followed by Team 5 (Uruguay) at 7:45p.m., securing third place. The remaining teams finished progressively throughout the evening, celebrating their resilience and determination.
Closing Ceremony and Reflections
The event concluded with a communal lunch and awards ceremony, held on thefollowing day, where athletes, partners, and organizers celebrated the spirit ofadventure that defines NORCHA®. The official highlight video was premiered, capturing the essence of four unforgettable days filled with endurance, strategy, and breathtaking landscapes.
Results and Recognition
AR World Series Category
1º - [9] Team Aaros, Denmark
2º - [18] Repuesto Ojea – Pixeralia, Spain
3º - [5] Ultra Sport, Uruguai
4º - [3] Vai Lola Selva, Brazil
5º - [1] Alpha Dental, Spain
6º - [10] Team Bandurrias, Argentina
7º - [4] RC6 Braga, Portugal
8º - [17] Kinesium, France
Male Category
1º - [7] Fronteiros, Portugal
2º - [6] Raid O’Brothers, France
Pairs Category
1º - [19] Team Ultraventures, France
Two teams, [16] Budinõ Raid Atlas (Spain) and [11] Team Adengear.com (USA), were unable to complete the race.
The NORCHA® AR Discover Douro Valley 2025 left an enduring mark on all participants and reinforced NORCHA’s commitment to promoting sustainable adventure racing and international sportsmanship.
With its success, expectations are already high for future editions, promisingeven greater challenges and stories of human resilience.
Looking Ahead...
The adventure never ends. After an unforgettable 2025 edition, the countdownhas already begun for the next challenge.
Are you ready for a new adventure?
Stay tuned — new details will be revealed in December
* Endorphinmag.FR is an official Media Partner. We have an exclusiveinvitation for you to participate in the next edition. Get your team togetherand send us your interest by email.