Run Fast. Eat Slow. With Elyse Kopecky in Switzerland

Today, we’ll gather in the alpine village of Zinal as we each check-in to our hotel. Before dinner, we’ll meet with our guides for an overview of the week’s routes, covering daily routines, and reviewing gear for each day’s adventure. Run the Alps will provide detailed information on traveling to Zinal from either Geneva or Zurich airports.

We’ll kick-off by running the highlights of Sierre-Zinal, the oldest continuously-run trail race in the Alps and now one of the most famous trail races in the world. We’ll get a taxi to the village of Chandolin, then run back to Zinal on the race course, taking in several miles of glorious, traversing single track through high pastures, in sight of five 4,000 meter peaks. A stop high in the mountains for blueberry tart at the historic and delightful Hotel Weisshorn gives us time to take in expansive views of much of this part of the Swiss Alps. A final short, steep descent through open forests brings us to one of the world’s most famous finish lines in Zinal!

Today we’ll take the gondola from Zinal up to the mountain pastures below Sorebois Pass. We’ll climb up and over the pass to be greeted by views of the azure Lake Moiry. A single track traverse takes us towards the Moiry glacier, and then up glacial moraines to the Cabane de Moiry, a modern Swiss Alpine Club with an expansive deck overlooking the glacier, where we’ll stop for some refueling with classic Swiss hut cuisine. From here, a mix of downhill and flat running alongside the lake takes us into the picturesque, traditional Swiss village of Grimentz, where we’ll have time to explore. We’ll finish the day with a taxi back to Zinal.

It’s time to travel to the iconic mountain town of Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn. But first, we’ll make a pit-stop in the spa-town of Leukerbad to do the Gemmi Run! You may choose to do either the timed challenge, or just climb up to the 2,322m-high Gemmi Pass at a more casual pace. Additionally, you could take the cable car up. At the top, you’ll be between Switzerland’s Valais and Bernese Oberland regions, with great views in both directions. Descent is possible either on foot or by cable car. If you’d like a full rest day, you could also enjoy one of the many spas here instead of running. Then we’ll enjoy a private taxi transfer to Zermatt to check into our hotel. Compared to Zinal, Zermatt is a bustling mountain hub, with countless stores and attractions that welcome visitors from around the world.

Today we’ll take the train down the valley and run back to Zermatt via the world-famous Europaweg. This fairly smooth, rolling trail above the Zermatt valley includes the new Charles Kuonen bridge. Nearly a half kilometer long, it’s one of the world’s longest suspension bridges.

As we run along the trail, we’ll get views of nearby glaciers and the Matterhorn, looming fully 2,858 meters (9,376 feet) above Zermatt. There’ll be time to stop for lunch at a mountain hut, before finishing by running directly back into town.

Today’s trail run follows a route called the Edelweissweg. It starts with a gentle climb out of Zermatt via the hamlet of Zmutt, with its centuries-old, rustic chalets. From here, steeper climbing brings us to the Alpine meadows of Höhbalmen, and a memorable traverse on high, rolling terrain. The traverse ends with a descent to the Trift Berggasthaus, or guest house, where the much-loved proprietor Hugo will ply us with his mugs of homemade lemonade and fresh apricot tarts. From here it’s either a run back to Zermatt, or for those wanting a truly adventurous conclusion, a fast-hike uphill to a true Swiss Alps summit, the 3,405-meter high Mettelhorn, which towers above Zermatt.

This evening we’ll wander through Zermatt to a celebratory final dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants in town.

It’s time to say goodbye to Zermatt. Swiss railway trains connect Zermatt with Zurich and Geneva airports with just a few, simple changes. If you have an alternative destination, Run the Alps can help you explore your travel options.