Rocher des MottetsA great option to combine an easy run with a very easy climb→ 6km↑ ~530mΔ 1640M♦ MediumΘ CWAnd now for something completely different! The Rocher des Mottets is an entry level rock climb hidden away in the forest beneath the Montenvers station. Used for teaching, the route is graded 3b/5.4 and is primarily slab climbing on perfect rock. …
Pointe de Lapaz
Pointe de LapazLots of up, a ridge traverse and a huge, mostly runnable downhill with views of everything→ 18km↑ ~1400mΔ 2313M ♦ MediumΘ CCWJust south of Chamonix is Les Gaillands, a small lake and what may be the world’s busiest climbing crag. We start at the parking lot, which is reachable by bus, train or in 15 minutes on foot from …
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Courmayeur Tête de la Tronche
Courmayeur Tête de la TroncheOne of the most beautiful trails in the Alps happens to be perfect running→ 22km↑ 1400mΔ 2584M♦ MediumΘ CCWWe’ll share a little secret… the Tour du Mont Blanc is not that great of a trail. There, we said it. It has the name, the race, the whole circle-the-highest-mountain in the Alps thing, but really, overall, you …
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Zermatt 2 Day Tour
Zermatt 2 Day Tour: Beneath the MatterhornA big loop high above Zermatt with non-stop Matterhorn views This Run is featured in Run the Alps Switzerland: 30 Must-Do Trail RunsAbout The Book→ 45km ↑ 3476mΔ 3094M ♦ MediumΘ ClockwisePeople flock to Zermatt from all over the world for a view of the Matterhorn. This unmistakable icon of the Swiss Alps often hides in …
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Chamonix Grand Balcon Sud
The Grand Balcon SudA must do running traverse linking the two primary lift stations→ 18km↑ ~1200mΔ 2070M ♦ MediumΘ CWA slightly higher, harder version of the Sentier des Gardes loop, the Grand Balcon Sud goes a bit higher before a long descent full of running. Beginning at the Chamonix church, the loop first climbs the descent for our Chamonix VK loop …
Saas Almagell
Jazzilücke Loop: Into Italy from Saas AlmagellA loop connecting two valleys in a remote corner along the Swiss-Italian borderThis Run is featured in Run the Alps Switzerland: 30 Must-Do Trail RunsAbout The Book→ 21km ↑ 1361mΔ 3083M ♦ MediumΘ Clockwise”Now this is a run worthy of being in a guidebook!” Dan shouts as we’re speeding through the Ofental valley. The trail has …
Sentier des Gardes
The Sentier des GardesTight, runnable, forest singletrack perfect for an easier day→ 17km↑ ~1200mΔ 1685M ♦ MediumΘ CCWSome days you just want to go for a trail run that skips the grueling up and body beating down. Unless you cruise along the river, “easy” isn’t so easy in Chamonix. The nature of Chamonix’s trail running is steep. Which is probably exactly …
The Chamonix Vertical Kilometer
The Chamonix Vertical KilometerTest yourself on the Chamonix VK→ 8km↑ 1050mΔ 2050M ♦ MediumΘ CCWStarting right at the launch point for so many grand adventures, Chamonix’s church, is the Chamonix vertical kilometer, or VK. The trail zigs and zags directly beneath the Brevent Tramline to it’s mid-station at Planpraz for almost exactly 1000 meters in just about 3.8km. Math reveals that …
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Rosegtal
Rosegtal: A Bit of Everything in the EngadineJust outside Pontresina, the Rosegtal offers a brilliant trail running loop below glaciers and the 4000 meter Piz BerninaThis Run is featured in Run the Alps Switzerland: 30 Must-Do Trail RunsAbout The Book→ 35km ↑ 1655mΔ 2753M ♦ MediumΘ Clockwise”I just had an epiphany,” Dan says when we catch up. “I don’t remember exactly what …
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Chamonix Grand Balcon Nord
Chamonix Grand Balcon NordAccessed right from town, this is the Chamonix classic that lets you get up and close to the Aiguilles.→ 18km↑ 1400mΔ 2200M ♦ MediumΘ CWChamonix’s two Grand Balcons are the classic playgrounds for runners and hikers. The names are confusing as the Nord is actually on the south side of the valley, but as it faces north, it …
