Via Valais
Anytime from June 15 - Sept 12
Dates | Duration |
|---|---|
Anytime from June 15 - Sept 12 | 10 days - 9 nights |
The Via Valais is one of the premiere multi-day trail running routes in the Alps!
This challenging high-mountain route was designed by our friends at ALPSinsight, specifically with trail runners in mind. You’ll traverse valleys and run over high passes and through meadows on your journey across the Switzerland’s Valais Alps, from Arolla to Zermatt.
Accommodations are hotels in rustic Alp villages or high mountain huts, where you’ll enjoy hearty local cuisine.
Our version of the Via Valais starts in the beautiful Swiss village of Arolla, famous as a base for mountaineering. After a day of travel, we suggest kicking your adventure off with a day of trail running in this wonderful, remote valley, before heading off on the journey towards Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn.
You’ll leave Arolla to head up to the Becs des Bossons mountain refuge at 3149m – your first “fast-packing” night, carrying a few extra items for a comfy evening at this high cabin. The next day you have a more undulating run, passing beautiful Moiry Lake, to your hotel in Zinal. As on some other days, there are options to make this route longer or shorter.
From Zinal, you say goodbye to French-speaking Switzerland and travel into the German-speaking region. Today’s route follows the last section of the famous Sierre-Zinal race course, before you head over the Col de la Forcletta to end your day at the Turtmann mountain hut.
The next day you’ll reach the final valley on your journey to Zermatt – the Mattertal. After staying the night in St Niklaus or Täsch, you will run part of the Europaweg trail to the Fluhalp mountain hut where you’ll stay high above Zermatt. The final day of running takes you along cruisey trails around the head of the Mattertal – with plenty of café options along the way!
As part of this tour, one bag per guest will travel separately, and will be waiting for you when you arrive in each village hotel. During your nights at mountain huts, you’ll need to be self-sufficient, bringing a few extra items to spend the night. Run the Alps will provide all information on what to bring for your hut nights, including recommended trail running pack sizes for those fast-packing days.
Sample itinerary:
Day 1 : Arrive in Switzerland, and travel to Arolla, the pretty village high at the end of the Hérens valley. You’ll stay in the historic Hotel Kurhaus, where you can relax and enjoy the views from the lawn or shady terrace.
Day 2 : Get used to the trails by running up to Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges, or to the Pas de Chèvre. Alternatively, you could spend the day exploring the rugged, traditional Swiss village of Arolla.
Distance 18-25km; Ascent and descent 800-1300m
Day 3 : Take a taxi to Les Haudères, then head up to a mountain hut, with views stretching all the way to Mont Blanc. Bag delivery isn’t possible, so you’ll fastpack this section. You’ll sleep in a rustic but comfortable dorm room.
Distance 15km (9mi); 1700m (5580ft) ascent
Day 4 : Head down to Lake Lona, over the Basset de Lona and down again to Lake Moiry. A bigger second ascent brings you up to Corne de Sorebois, then it’s a long descent to Zinal village, either on foot or by riding a tram.
Distance 23-32km (14-20mi); 1000-1200m (3280-3940ft) ascent and descent
Day 5 : This route starts by reversing the Sierre-Zinal race course. You’ll climb steeply to a balcony trail, then head over to the Turtmann valley. You’ll sleep in dorm accommodation in the Turtmannhut, and bag delivery is not possible.
Distance 17km (10.5mi); 1800m (5900ft) ascent
Day 6 : You’ll reach the Zermatt valley by heading over the Augstbord pass, then down to St Niklaus village. It’s possible to avoid the descent by riding a cable car down from the mountain hamlet of Jungen.
Distance 15-20km (9-12mi); 1100m (3608ft) descent
Day 7 : Take a train to Randa village, then cross the exhilarating Charles Kuonen suspension bridge. Alternatively, avoid the bridge by making a slight detour. On the other side, follow the high traverse to your mountain hotel. You’ll sleep in dorm accommodation, and bag delivery is not available.
Distance 21-25km (13-15mi); 1600-2025m (5250-6640ft) ascent
Day 8 : This route takes you around the head of the Zermatt valley. The trails are cruisy, with gentle gradients, and incredible views the whole way! A steep descent will bring you down into car-free Zermatt.
Distance 27km (16mi); 1300m (4265ft) descent
Day 9 : On this last day, you can take some time to explore Zermatt, a historic climbing and ski town dotted with centuries-old wooden chalets. You could go on a local trail run, using the trams or cog-railway trains to avoid too much up and down. Or, if you’d prefer to save your legs, you could just kick back and enjoy the hotel spa!
Day 10 : After a final breakfast in Valais, you’ll start your journey home, elsewhere in the Alps, or wherever your travels take you next!
Book this tour
8 days, 7 nights
$2990 per person
$790 single supplement
10 days, 9 nights
$3560 per person
$1050 single supplement
(The full Via Valais route, designed by ALPSinsight, is nine days. We can provide a self-guided itinerary with cost.)
Looking for a customized itinerary?
Please get in touch. We’d love to discuss your options with you.
Prefer to go with a guide?
Explore our group guided trips or inquire about our privately guided trips.
- Accommodation in 3 and 4 star hotels and/or mountain huts
- Buffet breakfasts each morning and multi-course dinners each evening
- Detailed daily run descriptions, GPX files and all the resources you need along the way are provided via our app (see a sample here). We’ll also send you a printed copy of the route and other key information, in case you’d like to take these with you as a back-up
- Luggage transfers
- A copy of our Guide to Trail Running in the Alps, which contains thorough travel instructions, regional information and tips from the staff and guide team at Run the Alps
- In-tour support through our WhatsApp Helpline
- Flights / transportation to and from the tour
- We’ll make a reservation for you at the Turtmann Hut. They require payment in cash at the time of the stay. So you’ll need to bring 100 CHF per person.
- Transport to and from trailheads if you choose to shorten a run
- Drinks with dinners
- Extra charges made at accommodations such as room service or laundry
- Trail snacks and lunches – our materials include info of where to stop along the way or if bringing trail snacks is a better option based on the day
Geneva is the preferred arrival airport for this trip as the onward journey to Arolla is more straightforward than from Zurich. If flying to Zurich, your flight will need to arrive by 11am in order to reach Arolla the same day, as the journey takes over 4 hours. Alternatively, you can arrive a day early and overnight in Zurich, before travelling to Arolla in the morning.
Please note that flights from the U.S. usually depart the day before arrival in Europe.
Geneva or Zurich are the preferred departure airports. Please allow 3 to 4 hours for travel from Zermatt, Switzerland (where the tour ends) to either airport, plus an additional 2 hours so you’re not rushed at the airport. If you have a morning flight, plan to stay overnight in your departure city. Run the Alps can assist with accommodations in Geneva or Zurich if needed.
- Why Run the Alps? See how Run the Alps compares to other trail running companies and what sets us apart here.
- Group Discounts: When we create tours for a group of five or more self-guided guests, there is an opportunity for some savings. We’re pleased to pass them on to you – please get in touch to explore your options.
- Alumni Discount: We love welcoming our alumni back to the Alps and offer a 10% discount on all standard guided and self-guided trips. Simply check the Alumni box on the registration form and we’ll apply the discount when we invoice you.
- Want to shorten or extend your trip or add an Alps Trail Race? Just let us know and we’d be happy to help.
- 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!
- Concerned about being ready? We’re here to help. You can check out our Training Resources or get in touch if you’d like to be put in touch with a coach.
- 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.
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Read more about the Via Valais
Via Valais Q&A: The Alps’ New Multi-Day Trail Run
Run the Alps is excited to be offering the Via Valais, a new multi-day, trail-running route developed by the team over at ALPSinsight.
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Via Valais Trail Running Trip Stars on the Patagonia Catalog
For the first time, Patagonia’s catalog features trail running on its front cover – and we’re psyched that it’s the new Via Valais route. The Via Valais roughly follows the famous backcountry skiing and hiking “Haute Routes” from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland, though it starts a bit closer to Zermatt, in the high mountain