Make your way to the picturesque, car-free mountain village of Zermatt. Train is the only way to get there. Once everyone has checked into the hotel, we have a welcome dinner and group briefing. 

After breakfast, we hit Larch Trail out of Zermatt, gradually climbing 600m into the alpine zone. At the top, we take a food break before descending into a glacier canyon and take a suspension bridge. Another 600m climb will then take us up to the base of the Matterhorn and our hotel for the night.

Distance: 14km

Elevation: +1,450m / -470m

Today, we head up a well-trod trail to the Hornli hut. This is the start of most ascents of the Matterhorn. From here we head down a beautiful single train underneath the north face of the mountain to our lunch spot at an old Swiss alpage, or mountain farm. After lunch, it’s all 5-star running back to Zermatt.

Distance: 16km 

Elevation: +900 / -1,870m

We start with an early breakfast then jump on the train, taking a tunnel under Lotchepass to Kandersteg. Then we gradually head up 1,500m to the Blumlisalp hut at 2,778m for lunch. A descent follows, down to the remote valley of Goreneregrund to spend the night in a traditional (an comfortable) Swiss mountain hut. Expect cheese!

Distance: 17km

Elevation: +1,830 / -1,560m

The day starts with a 1,000m climb up to the Sefinenfurgge Pass at 2,600m. Bonus points to the one who runs all the way considering the last part is a very long set of stairs. At the top, we get wondrous views of the 4,000m peaks of the Bernese Overland. We then descend under the Schlithorn (which appeared in the Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) down to the ski town of Mürren for the night.

Distance: 16km

Elevation: +1,510m / -1,310m

We start the day riding the cable car down over the vertical cliffs below Mürren and into the green Lauterbrunnen Valley. The trail we run from there takes us up and under the massive peaks of the Jungfrau and the Mönch and finally to one of the most iconic hotels in the Alps, the Kleine Scheidegg, for the night.

Distance: 13km

Elevation: +1,520m / -320m

The lightest day of the trip with more downhill running than other days. We traverse directly underneath the north face of the Eiger and continue running down towards the picturesque town of Grindelwald.

Distance: 17km 

Elevation: +810m / -1,830m

Our last running day starts with a 1,600m climb to the Faulhorn. We’ll get fantastic views of the sparkling turquoise water of Brienzersee Lake while we run on perfect trails along the crest of a ridge. Depending on how the group feels, we can take the train down from Schynige Platte (1,967m) to the town of Interlaken. Or if everyone’s legs are still feeling strong, we can run the last 1,200m to town. 

Distance: 21km 

Elevation: +1,880m / -970m

Everyone checks out and says their goodbyes before heading home.