Eiger Trail
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
| Jul 15, 2024 - Jul 21, 2024 | 7 days - 6 nights |
The Swiss Alps could be considered the home of trail running. Mountain runners have been weaving their way along alp paths for decades, and are exalted here. Be prepared to be greeted with an “Allez-Allez!” or an “Hop Hop!” when you run by local farmers. With a fantastic network of trails and huts and a long history and appreciation of mountain running, the region is a trail runner’s dream.
The Eiger Ultra race series is just six years old, but already it quickly fills to capacity. It’s understandable why – consisting of a 16-km, 35-km, 51-km, and an epic 101-km course, the series offers something for everyone, with unrivaled mountain scenery on highly runnable trails. Run the Alps reserves entries for our guests, available at an additional cost. There’s a distance for every level for those who want to try a European trail race.
Our week includes four nights, with two days of trail running in and around the car-free mountain village of Mürren, with alp pastures and huts easily within our reach. Then, it’s on to nearby Grindelwald, literally at the base of the famed North Face of the Eiger. We’ll run through some of the most scenic terrain Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland has to offer. Saturday is race day, as trail runners from around Europe converge on Grindelwald. You can participate in a race, or simply hike and run to cheer our crew on!
Our typical day starts with a continental buffet breakfast at our inn – delicious fresh baked bread, local cheeses, cereal, fruit, coffee and juice – which gives us the energy needed for a full day of inn-to-inn trail running. Soon we’ll be out on the trail, perhaps 6 miles for those who want a more casual day, or an all-day outing of 10-12 miles with a few challenging climbs for the more ambitious among us. Each morning, we’ll bring out a variety of trail snacks from which you can choose, and many of our runs will include stops at mountain huts or alp farms where we’ll stop to enjoy soup, sandwiches, or fruit torte.
Each day, we make sure there’s plenty of time during our runs to take photos, and rest and soak in the scenery. We’ll finish each day with plenty of time to relax. You will have your own bedroom every night. In the evening we’ll enjoy dinner together at our hotel. These are multi-course feasts, often featuring local Swiss specialties, and will definitely be hearty, filling, well-earned and very delicious. We will leave one dinner in Grindelwald free, where you will have a chance to explore on your own.
Book this tour
$850 single supplement
Itinerary
Train station at Alpiglen. (Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 1
Arrive in Switzerland and transfer by train and cable car to our meeting point in the mountain village of Mürren, which is quiet and peaceful, and has remained blissfully car-free.
A summer swim in the Swiss Alps. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto)
Day 2
A range of daily runs will be offered, as we explore the mountains and trails around this clifftop village. One favorite run takes us to the back of the Lauterbrunnen valley, a nature preserve, to the idyllic Obersteinberg inn, surrounded by mountains and waterfalls.
Trail running above Grindelwald, Switzerland with the Eiger. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto)
Day 3
Today, we’ll transfer to the mountain town of Grindelwald. Our bags will move separately, and we’ll be free to pick a route and run to Grindelwald via a number of interesting options. We might even decide to give the Chamois Trophy Run a try, in the village of Wengen!
Trail running along Schynige Platte above Interlaken, Switzerland. (Photo: PatitucciPhoto)
Day 4
Today’s classic trail starts with a historic cogwheel train ride to Schynige Platte, perched high on a ridge with incredible mountain views to the south, and birds-eye lake views to the north.
(Photo: Kim Strom)
Day 5
We have many choices for our trail run today depending on the weather and the mood. The Eiger trail is a popular choice, starting from the small mountain inn at Alpiglen, and weaving high into the mountains to the base of the Eiger’s dramatic North Face.
Coming through the finish line at the Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB®. (Photo: Becki Penrose)
Day 6
Today is race day! We have a limited number of spaces available if you want to join one of three Eiger Ultra races (16, 35, and 51 km). Or, if you like, take the day off to relax, watch the races, or try a solo run around another valley.
Smiles and cheers and plenty of cowbell at the Eiger Ultra Trail, Switzerland. (Photo: Becki Penrose)
Day 7
Today we say our good-byes before hopping on the train to either Geneva or Zurich.
Regional map
What's included
Six nights at three-star hotels, all breakfasts, trail nutrition, light lunches, five dinners, guided runs daily, all transfers to and from trailheads.Plan to arrive the day your tour starts at the latest. Please note that flights from the US usually depart the day before. Zurich is the closest airport to Mürren, but Geneva will work as well. Your tour package will included detailed information about traveling on the Swiss rail system to the start of the trip in Mürren.
Plan your departure for the day after your tour ends, at the earliest, from either Geneva or Zurich. Plan on one night at a hotel in your departure city. We can assist you with hotel information and Zurich or Geneva city information, if you like. The option exists to arrive earlier or stay longer, to extend your trail running or vacation time.
More options for this tour:
Self-guided: Everything but the guide… custom tour design, trail runs, and all the details.
Private: Make it private! Your companions, your dates, your tour– we do the rest.
Contact us for details.
All Run the Alps guests receive a copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps to assist in preparing for their trip.
Eiger Ultra Race Information
Eiger Ultra 51 km Race Report
Eiger Ultra 16 km Race Report
Terms and Conditions: Read up on Run the Alps’ Terms and Conditions and travel insurance.
Concerned about being ready? We can help! We’ve teamed up with the wonderfully supportive team at Vert.run to offer customized training plans tailored to each Run the Alps trip. Once you’ve signed up for a trip, we’ll email you all the details and your unique code for your FREE first month of training! In the meantime, you can start exploring the plans here.
Tour Balance: Your tour balance is due 90 days before your tour starts. We will send you an invoice about a month before that due date. However, you can pay your balance at any time. If you’d like the simplicity of paying in full sooner, or would like to pay in installments, please contact us.
Tour stories
Guides for this Tour
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Book this tour
$850 single supplement
