Via Valais Trail Running

VIA VALAIS

Swiss Alps Trail Running Grand Tour

225KM || 14'000M+/-

The Alps first Grand Tour specifically for trail runners! It’s the running version of what skiers and hikers have long had, a Haute Route. But, this tour is designed by runners, for runners. We call it the Via Valais.

The multi-stage route moves through some of the Swiss Alps’ most dramatic and beautiful terrain, traversing in and out of valleys rather than straight up and down. You'll run beneath numerous 4000-meter peaks, alongside glaciers, and over high, alpine passes. It’s the trail runner’s dream tour.

Intro to the Via Valais

Via Valais Community

9 STAGES

STAGE 1 VERBIER TO CAB. D’ESSERTZE

29km 1119m+/1113m- Bonus peak: Le Crepon Blanc (2713m) 2km, 250m+/-

STAGE 2 CAB. D’ESSERTZE TO CAB. AIGUILLE ROUGE

30km 1783m+/1178m- Bonus peak: Mont de l’Etoile (3370m) 5km, 600m+/-

STAGE 3 CAB. AIGUILLE ROUGE TO CAB. BECS DE BOSSON

25km 2220m+/2052m- Bonus peak: Becca de Lovégno (2769m) 1km, 125m+/-

STAGE 4 CAB. BECS DE BOSSON TO CAB. DE MOIRY

17km 868m+/1025m- Bonus peak: Becs de Bosson (3148m) 2km, 273m+/-

STAGE 5 CAB. DE MOIRY TO ZINAL

24km 1064m+/2215m- Bonus peak: Pigne de la Lé (3396m) 3km, 597m+/-

STAGE 6 ZINAL TO TURTMANN HUT

19km 1687m+/841m- Bonus peak: L’Omen Roso (3031m) 1.5km, 187m+/-

STAGE 7 TURTMANN HUT TO RANDA

18km 1376m+/2453m- Bonus peak: Üssers Barrhorn (3610m) 3km, 311m+/-

STAGE 8 RANDA TO MOUNTAIN LODGE ZE SEEWJINU

25km 2025m+/1171m- Bonus peak: Oberrothorn (3414m) 7km, 775m+/-

STAGE 9 MOUNTAIN LODGE ZE SEEWJINU TO ZERMATT

27km 1254m+/1942m- Bonus peak: Mettelhorn (3406m) 9km, 1081m+/-

6 STAGE option Starting from Crêt du Midi

The 6 Stage option tackles a longer first day to join the official route partway through Stage 3, passing through Becs de Bosson, and continues with Stage 4 to finish the first day at Cab. de Moiry. Then follow the itinerary for Stages 5-9.

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Pack & Prepare

What to take and expect:

This section is as much about what to expect as it is about what to pack and how to prepare. Managing your preparation is as important as understanding the route and logistics. A nine-day trail running tour is a big package, consider all the pieces.

FAQ

We answer a lot of questions here:

When can you run the Via Valais? What are the huts like? Where can I get food and water along the way? What are the trails like? What are Bonus Peaks? Is it hard to navigate? Anything you might wonder about the Via Valais is probably answered here!