Distant thunder shook the towering walls around us as we locked up the car, optimistic that MeteoSwiss was right about it being a dry-ish day. Had we used our experience, rather than our app, we would have spent the day in the office. It was pitch black. Off we went.

An hour later, with our shoes caked in mud and soaked from a fine drizzle, I uttered the words one must never, ever, say when in the mountains, "It's only another 10km, how much worse can it be?"

Of course it got worse, far worse, and our run of the French speaking Vaud's Tour de l'Argentine turned into a recon mission for a sunny day. Even with torrential rain, lightning strikes, and a dicey, slippery traverse, we knew this run was quality. We'd just have to return for photos.

Solalex, tucked away in a side valley near Villars, is one of those finds in the Alps where you just can't believe how pleasant life can be. And it's here where you start and finish the Tour de l'Argentine, a loop around a long chain of peaklets on the Arête de l'Argentine. This is a true running tour that really starts after the first climb to the Refuge Giacomini, after which is almost all quality, and not too steep, trail cruising. While not a tour set amongst big, alpine peaks, this is a route that will have you gaping at a utopia-like landscape, as well as impressive menu cards that include local faire with cheesy names like Croûte au fromage, le Modzet de Véronique or Vacherin Mont d’Or au four - of course there is always a crêpe.

While the Alps are surely the draw for most traveling trail runners, a visit to Solalex is not going to disappoint.

While visiting Villars for Solalex, you might also consider two nearby bigger runs Dent de Morcles and Dent Blanches.