Via Valais: Swiss Alps Trail Running Grand Tour

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Saas-Almagell

A trail runner running up a steep rocky ridge line, above Saas Almagell, Switzerland

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 a …

Lac de Moiry to Pigne de la Lé

Trail running in the Swiss Alps near Lac de Moiry

Lac de Moiry to Pigne de la Lé: From Edelweiss to Glacial Ice Fast running at 2500 meters topped off with a glacier crossing and a serious scrambleThis Run is featured in Run the Alps Switzerland:  30 Must-Do Trail RunsAbout The Book→ 21km     ↑ 1457mΔ 3396M ♦ DifficultΘ CCWI didn’t have high expectations for a run starting near a dam, assuming the …

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Zermatt 2 Day Tour

trail running zermatt

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 …

Valsorey – Vélan

Valsorey – VélanWhat mountain runners dream about when they dream about the Alps→ 22km   ↑ 2000mΔ 3037M♦ DifficultΘ CWThis run is the 108th run we’ve added to our site, and it is one of the very best. An odyssey is the best term we thought of as we sat pulling sweat soaked socks from our tired feet. Starting in Bourg-St-Pierre, …

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Barrhorn ⇑

Trail running Barrhorn

Barrhorn: Switzerland’s Highest Trail     An alpine running tour on the Alps highest official trail   ⇑This Run is featured in Run the Alps Switzerland:  30 Must-Do Trail RunsAbout The Book→ 25km     ↑ 2033mΔ 3610M ♦ Difficult⇑ EasyΘ CCWAs so many great experiences do these days, this one starts on Google. We’d stumbled upon the Alps highest trail. A trail that goes to …

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Mettelhorn ⇑

Mettelhorn: A Zermatt classic with big mountain viewsAll trail from Zermatt into the alpine world   ⇑→ 21km↑ 2176mΔ 3405M Difficult ⇑ MediumΘ CW LoopBig vertical days don’t get much better than this.  We took the first train from Täsch to Zermatt in the morning to have the trails nearly to ourselves as the sun rises. The climb out of town is …

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Zinal Petit Mountet

Trail running in the Ticino, Swiss Alps

Zinal: In the shadow of 4000 meter peaksPerfect singletrack through one of the Alps most dramatic landscapesThis Run is featured in Run the Alps Switzerland:  30 Must-Do Trail RunsAbout The Book→ 17km    ↑ 1058mΔ 2583M ♦ EasyΘ CCWLooking for classic Swiss running? This route has high elevation cruising, a quaint mountain hut, cowbells, wildflowers, all around views of 4000 meter peaks, and …

Diablon des Dames ⇑

Diablon des Dames: Viewpoint to Valais 4000ersQuality & Quantity running and scrambling ⇑→ 18km↑ 1926mΔ 3537M Difficult ⇑ MediumΘ CW LoopCountless road construction projects forced a late start. And a late night pizza order. It was clear we’d be getting down in the dark, and so at the very last minute, decided to order our dinner before heading up for 2000 meters …

Alpjuhorn ⇑

AlpjuhornA summit for when you don’t want it to be too easy   ⇑→ 23km↑ 2135mΔ 3144M Difficult ⇑ MediumΘ CW LoopThis is not our typical tour. The trail isn’t perfect, there’s loose rock on the ridge, and the descent is very overgrown in places. As we climbed to the summit we decided it would not even be going on the site. …