Eiger Trail Running Guided
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.
Make it privately guided
Prefer to go guided with your own group? Inquire here.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Mürren
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.
Arrive in Switzerland and transfer by train and cable car to our meeting point in the mountain village of Mürren. A gem of a village in one of the most beautiful locations in the Alps, Mürren is quiet and peaceful, and has remained blissfully car-free. It’s also got some of our favorite trail running trails, anywhere in the region! We’ll meet for dinner the first day and talk about the trip to come.
Day 2 - Mürren
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.
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. Another leads on a gentle, rolling traverse above Mürren, passing farms and mountain restaurants along the way with the mountain trio of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau as our constant companions.
Day 3 - Grindelwald
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!
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!
Located at the at the base of the Eiger, Grindelwald is set in one of the most stunning locations in the Alps, and is surrounded by miles of unbelievable trails. The Eiger is the most famous mountain, but the Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn are just as impressive, towering over the rolling green meadows.
We might decide to run here from Mürren, on a delightfully quiet trail beneath the Jungfrau mountain to the bustling Kleine Scheidegg pass. Descend beneath the stunning vertical cliffs of the Eiger mountain to Grindelwald.
Day 4 - Grindelwald
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.
Grindelwald – One favorite run, and a classic trail in the region, starts with an 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.
The trail traverses a high ridge above Grindelwald, with a pair of conveniently-placed huts for stops along the way. Detour up to the peak of the Faulhorn for unforgettable 360 degree views of the region. We’ll run to the beautiful Bachalpsee lake with the option to descend to town by gondola or on foot.
Day 5 - Grindelwald
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.
Again, we have many choices for our trail run today depending on the weather and the mood.
The Eiger trail is a classic 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. The trail leads to Kleine Scheidegg where our views are filled with mountains, glaciers and waterfalls. Finish with a mellow, flat run to Mannlichen where we descend to town by gondola. Tonight, dinner is on your own, but your guide can recommend options in Grindelwald.
Day 6 - Grindelwald
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.
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). If you like, take the day off to relax, watch the races, or try a solo run around another valley, like the Haslital, a beautiful valley just over the Grosse Scheidegg pass from Grindelwald, which offers miles of quiet alpine trails, with small lakes, rustic dairy farms and impressive mountains.
Day 7 - Depart from Grindelwald
Today we say our good-byes before hopping on the train to either Geneva or Zurich.
Today we say our good-byes before hopping on the train to either Geneva or Zurich.
What's Included
- Daily guided trail runs with a licensed International Mountain Leader
- 6 nights accomodation in 3*hotels
- Welcome briefing and drinks on first night
- All breakfasts, packed/light lunches and trail nutrition, plus 5 multi-course dinners
- All transfers to and from trailheads that are included on our planned itinerary
- Luggage transfers (luggage available every night)
- Run the Alps’ Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, which contains 80+ pages of information about where you’ll be running, what to pack, how to train, and plenty of other insider information from Run the Alps staff and guides
- A day of professional photography on the trails, with images provided to you license-free
- An in-country welcome pack – includes trail nutrition and a Run the Alps T-shirt (Note: You can choose to opt out of the T-shirt during registration; if you do, we’ll automatically donate the equivalent to one of our 1% for the Planet partners instead.)
- Guaranteed bib entry to the Eiger Ultra Trail race. Hard deadline to register by the end of January.
- Personalized support before and during your tour
- 20% discount code for the Run the Alps store
- Contribution to our Net Positive initiatives
What's Not Included
- Flights / transportation to and from the tour
- Transport to and from trailheads if you shorten a run
- Drinks with dinners
- One dinner in Grindelwald (recommendations provided)
- Any additional nutrition and drinks while on the trail
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Tips for guides
- Trip insurance
- (Optional) Race bib entry fee
Arrival
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.
Departure
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.
Good To Know
- Want to extend your trip with more running? We can help provide self-guided run descriptions for nearby regions of the Alps, and/or trail race options.
- Concerned about being ready? We’re here to help. Check out our Alps Training Resources or get in touch if you’d like to be put in touch with a coach.
- Can a non-running partner join me on this tour? Yes–read how hiking and sightseeing companions can come too.
- Celebrating a special occasion? Each year we get a number of guests who are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or retirement with a Run the Alps trip. If this is you, let us know!
- Alumni Discount: We love welcoming our alumni back to the Alps and offer a 10% discount on all standard Run the Alps trips. Simply check the Alumni box on the registration form and we’ll apply the discount when we invoice you.
- 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 Grants Program: Run the Alps is committed to making our trips more inclusive. If you’d like to join this trip, but don’t think you can afford it, please check out our Tour Grants Program.
- Trip Insurance: Life can sometimes throw us a curveball and wreak havoc upon the best laid plans, which is why Run the Alps requires trip insurance. Learn more here.
- Terms and Conditions: You can read up on them here.
Regional map
Interactive map with 7 point(s): Tour start point: Mürren; ; ; ; ; ; .
Guides for this Tour
What our guests had to say
Trip of a lifetime!
Highly recommend
Swiss Alps w/ Eiger Ultra Trail Run
Top notch
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